Problems with blood sugar meters for diabetes reported

Some blood sugar meters could be providing false readings, according to new research from Australia.
Scientists examined the function of these meters, which also store blood sugar readings so that diabetes can be tracked, and help the management of insulin and sugar levels at mealtimes. It was found that pregnant women with diabetes were receiving inaccurate measurements, and that this was causing concerns about the health of both mother and child.
The study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, compared readings from 102 diabetic women in both lab tests and portable monitors, and found that one popular monitor differed from lab results by an average of 6 per cent, while the least accurate monitor was inaccurate by an average of 16 per cent.
Problems with the measurement include uncertainty regarding the amount of insulin to be take, as well as doctors not having the best information on which to base their guidance to patients.
There is also a cost factor involved, as the strips for the meters are pricey, meaning people may not want to re-test their levels if they are unsure if they got a correct reading, as this pushes up the cost of usage. However, the blood sugar meters are still recommended as the most beneficial way to manage the metabolic condition on a daily basis.