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Why is there such a difference in metre readings

johnnyboy123

Newbie
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2
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Other
Hi all,

I have been measuring my diabetes for a while now and am getting concerned over the range of readings that I get when measuring different fingers. For example, this evening i get 7.6 on one finger and then 6.4 on another. I have also had 3.3 and 6.5 readings the other day on different fingers at the same time.

Regards John.
 
This is more common than unusual. Meters (all of them) are with a plus or minus 15% tolerance. Even if you use the same finger, or even the same drop of blood, you can get wildly different readings. If one of the readings is totally ridiculous and unexpected, discard it. Otherwise, average them for your records.
 
Thank you Bluetit1802 for the update,

I am actually trying to follow the Newcastle diet for type 2 so am keen to make sure that I do not go to low ( the thought would be nice!) or to high, hence needing me to ask the question.

Regards John.
 
Thank you Bluetit1802 for the update,

I am actually trying to follow the Newcastle diet for type 2 so am keen to make sure that I do not go to low ( the thought would be nice!) or to high, hence needing me to ask the question.

Regards John.

All bets are off for a while.
Your liver is dumping, your glucogen stores are depleting, your metabolism is changing, it's normal for your levels to be all over the show.
The only thing you should see is an overall trend down.
 
This is more common than unusual. Meters (all of them) are with a plus or minus 15% tolerance. Even if you use the same finger, or even the same drop of blood, you can get wildly different readings. If one of the readings is totally ridiculous and unexpected, discard it. Otherwise, average them for your records.
Bluetit

Not a big deal but I believe the tolerance is 20% plus or minus. Kind of freaky if you ask me.

Think if your auto speedometer had that error rate

As for getting a consistent readings I've found that washing and drying your hands for each test makes a difference. And some meters are just not good.
 
Bluetit

Not a big deal but I believe the tolerance is 20% plus or minus. Kind of freaky if you ask me.

Think if your auto speedometer had that error rate

As for getting a consistent readings I've found that washing and drying your hands for each test makes a difference. And some meters are just not good.

I believe it is 15% for them to pass the relevant test in the UK. I have read this somewhere and will try to find it.
 
ISO 15197, amended in 2013 to +/- 15%, for 99% of the results, amended from +/- 20% for 95% of the results.
 
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