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Testing your meter.

KezG

KezG

Well-Known Member
Messages
239
Location
Southport NW.U.K.
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Tripe, most shellfish.. mussels, cockles etc...
Does everyone test their glucose meter regularly? I have been given a new meter from my clinic and was advised to contact the manufacturer of my Glucomen LX+ meter, to obtain a bottle of test solution. I was asked to test the meter when ever I opened a new pack of test strips. Having received said solution I tested a glucose strip from an already opened pack. The reading was 7.1 initially. I shook the bottle and retested on another strip, this one read 6.9. Yesterday I opened a new pack and tested the first one at 6.9 again.. does this sound correct or should it be lower? Not due to see my nurse until January to ask and I'm unsure if the meter is giving correct readings.
 
KezG said:
Does everyone test their glucose meter regularly? I have been given a new meter from my clinic and was advised to contact the manufacturer of my Glucomen LX+ meter, to obtain a bottle of test solution. I was asked to test the meter when ever I opened a new pack of test strips. Having received said solution I tested a glucose strip from an already opened pack. The reading was 7.1 initially. I shook the bottle and retested on another strip, this one read 6.9. Yesterday I opened a new pack and tested the first one at 6.9 again.. does this sound correct or should it be lower? Not due to see my nurse until January to ask and I'm unsure if the meter is giving correct readings.
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I do not know-what is the solution supposed to test at?
 
SWUSA_ said:
I do not know-what is the solution supposed to test at?
Click to expand...
Acceptable ranges according to the test strip pot are 5.1-6.9mmol/l
My confusion is from the 6.9 readings that I have had.. seems like it is only just within the range.
 
mahola said:
If you're using the normal control solution, then yes, you're meter is giving perfect readings :)

There are 2 control solutions. The normal one is between 5.4 - 7.3mmol/l and the high is between 14.9-20.1.

Hope that helps.
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Thank you for putting my mind at ease :)
 
mahola said:
No worries. And if you've registered you meter with Glucomen, go on their website and you can request silicone cases for your meter, new batteries, lancing devices etc. All free. I have a case in every colour. Got to put some fun into diabetes! :)
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Thanks for the info I will have a look.:)
 
You can take you meter with you when you go for blood tests. Do your reading just as they are going to take blood and write it down. When you get the results compare them. They will probably not be exactly the same but they should be very close. If your meter is reading high or low you will know and can adjust accordingly.
 
Dont think Ive ever tested a meter in almost 8 years, apart from when I first got got one and it was a new experience and I read the info that came with it.

They really only give an indication of your bg levels and work to tolerances of around + - 20%.

Therefore a reading of 5 *mmol/L could be anywhere between 4 *mmol/L and 6 *mmol/L and a reading of 8 *mmol/L could be anywhere between 6.4 *mmol/L and 9.6 *mmol/L and the higher the number the higher the possible error.

In fact testing the same finger twice at the same time can result in two different readings.




*Too many mmol/L's?
 
I only tested the first meter and I think first three batches of test strips with solution. I do test new meters and old meters against one another though and have found that they are pretty similar so far. I am 4 meters in so far with 7 years on my favorite which died a few months ago. It just kept giving error messages and after changing out three batteries including one lithium battery the manufacturer sent me after I contacted them-I gave up and started using the new one my insurance company wanted me to switch to.
 
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