Glucometers :confused:

pandagramy · 06-02-2009, 03:32 PM

I'm prediabetic and trying to control my blood sugar with diet and exercise. I thought I was doing really well, but I got a new meter and it reads higher than the old one. Which do I believe? I realize the only way to tell for "sure" is when I have my blood drawn, but that's not until Sept. Any thoughts? Thanks

luckiangel · 06-03-2009, 07:26 AM

hi pam, each instrument will vary slightly from each other. how much higher is it than the other one?

pandagramy · 06-03-2009, 09:43 AM

I know there is some variation-from past experience (my diabetic kitty) there was more variation at high numbers, but my other meters were usually within 5 points on the low end. The new meter is running up to 15 higher on the low end-which doesn't really matter as long as I'm not on insulin, but it would concern me more were I to start meds.

luckiangel · 06-03-2009, 04:25 PM

i had a friend who at one time was doing her own sugars at home and was forgetting to wipe away the first drop after she stuck her finger. The difference was about the same. Make sure you are using the second drop and not squeezing too hard either. I'm not sure if the home meters have a calibration strip or controls to run with it but maybe there is a customer service number you can contact to troubleshoot with. HTH

pandagramy · 06-03-2009, 04:42 PM

Thanks!

MACXXX · 06-05-2009, 12:20 PM

Next time you have your blood drawn and fasting blood glucose tested, take a reading right before with your meter. Then compare to the lab value to see how close your meter matches the lab.

brit67chick · 06-22-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pandagramy

I'm prediabetic and trying to control my blood sugar with diet and exercise. I thought I was doing really well, but I got a new meter and it reads higher than the old one. Which do I believe? I realize the only way to tell for "sure" is when I have my blood drawn, but that's not until Sept. Any thoughts? Thanks

Pam,
I'm a newbie myself. the first meter I purchased from Abbott Laboratories kept on registering >20 mg/uL ("danger, danger") and the help line told me to call my doc immediately. A few weeks later I received a letter in the mail stating there was a problem with that batch of test strips. I think the moral of the tale is to test over a long period of time...a few readings isn't going to give you an accurate pic of your overall blood sugar health.

pandagramy · 06-22-2009, 04:14 PM

I got control solution and I'm on my second batch of strips and the numbers are consistant, but still higher. After thinking about it, I think the new meter is probably more accurate than the old even though I loved the readings on the old!

06-02-2009, 03:32 PM	#1
pandagramy Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 32 Gallery: pandagramy Stats: 223/184/155 WOE: modified low carb	Glucometers :confused: I'm prediabetic and trying to control my blood sugar with diet and exercise. I thought I was doing really well, but I got a new meter and it reads higher than the old one. Which do I believe? I realize the only way to tell for "sure" is when I have my blood drawn, but that's not until Sept. Any thoughts? Thanks

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06-03-2009, 07:26 AM	#2
luckiangel Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Douglas, Arizona Posts: 5,662 Blog Entries: 8 Gallery: luckiangel Stats: 306/302/150 WOE: Ultrametabolism Start Date: 10/2009	hi pam, each instrument will vary slightly from each other. how much higher is it than the other one?

06-03-2009, 09:43 AM	#3
pandagramy Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 32 Gallery: pandagramy Stats: 223/184/155 WOE: modified low carb	I know there is some variation-from past experience (my diabetic kitty) there was more variation at high numbers, but my other meters were usually within 5 points on the low end. The new meter is running up to 15 higher on the low end-which doesn't really matter as long as I'm not on insulin, but it would concern me more were I to start meds.

06-03-2009, 04:25 PM	#4
luckiangel Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Douglas, Arizona Posts: 5,662 Blog Entries: 8 Gallery: luckiangel Stats: 306/302/150 WOE: Ultrametabolism Start Date: 10/2009	i had a friend who at one time was doing her own sugars at home and was forgetting to wipe away the first drop after she stuck her finger. The difference was about the same. Make sure you are using the second drop and not squeezing too hard either. I'm not sure if the home meters have a calibration strip or controls to run with it but maybe there is a customer service number you can contact to troubleshoot with. HTH

06-03-2009, 04:42 PM	#5
pandagramy Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 32 Gallery: pandagramy Stats: 223/184/155 WOE: modified low carb	Thanks!

06-05-2009, 12:20 PM	#6
MACXXX Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 408 Gallery: MACXXX WOE: Atkins	Next time you have your blood drawn and fasting blood glucose tested, take a reading right before with your meter. Then compare to the lab value to see how close your meter matches the lab.

06-22-2009, 04:14 PM	#8
pandagramy Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 32 Gallery: pandagramy Stats: 223/184/155 WOE: modified low carb	I got control solution and I'm on my second batch of strips and the numbers are consistant, but still higher. After thinking about it, I think the new meter is probably more accurate than the old even though I loved the readings on the old!