Can glucose meter give wrong readings?
Answer From M. Regina Castro, M.D. When used correctly, blood glucose monitors — small devices that measure and display your blood sugar level — are usually accurate. But occasionally they may be incorrect.
What can cause a false high glucose reading?
10 Common Blood Sugar Testing Mistakes
- Mistake #1: Buying a blood sugar meter that doesn’t fit your daily life.
- Mistake #2: Selecting a device your insurance won’t cover.
- Mistake #3: Setting up the incorrect time and day on your meter.
- Mistake #4: Testing at the wrong time.
- Mistake #5: Not getting into a routine.
How do I know if my glucose meter is accurate?
To measure the accuracy of your meter, take it with you when you have a lab glucose test and check your blood immediately after. For best results, ask the lab to process your blood sample within 30 minutes.
Why is my glucose meter giving me different readings?
Test strips that have expired or have been exposed to extreme heat or cold can provide inaccurate readings. If you use one of these and then move to a new box, you could get very different numbers. Also, make sure you are using the correct test strip.
Can blood sugar machine be wrong?
Dirt, dust and other contaminants can also give an inaccurate reading. But this was a thing of the past, with new technology, it’s very rare that you get an inaccurate reading if the meter is dirty. But one must try not to let the meter get too dusty or dirty and clean and spillage on it to be on the safer side.
Why is it important to wipe the first drop of blood?
The first drop of blood from a lancing site contains a greater volume of platelets, which could make the lancing site seal up before enough blood was obtained for the test, and the dual wipe ensured a longer, larger flow of blood.
Can blood sugar change in minutes?
Although you want to get the best results for each skin prick, when you’re new to blood sugar testing it can be confusing to watch those results change throughout the day. “It’s helpful to understand that blood sugar changes minute by minute,” says certified diabetes educator Karen A.
Can you have a high blood sugar and not be diabetic?
Nondiabetic hyperglycemia means your blood glucose (sugar) level is high even though you do not have diabetes. Hyperglycemia may happen suddenly during a major illness or injury. Instead, hyperglycemia may happen over a longer period of time and be caused by a chronic disease.
Does squeezing the finger affect blood sugar?
(In general, guidelines advise against squeezing the finger too hard to get a blood drop because it may distort blood sugar readings.) Overall, the study found, clean hands are still key.
Can gestational diabetes be misdiagnosed?
YES. Gestational diabetes misdiagnosis can happen.
Which finger is used for blood sugar?
Prick your finger with the lancing device at the sides of the finger as there are less nerve ending here than at the tips or the ‘pads’. Recommended finger: the World Health Organisation recommends the middle or ring fingers are used for blood glucose tests (second and third fingers).
Can blood sugar fluctuate within minutes?
Understanding Blood Sugar Fluctuations “It’s helpful to understand that blood sugar changes minute by minute,” says certified diabetes educator Karen A.
What to do if your glucose meter is inaccurate?
If you feel like your meter is inaccurate enough to cause problems with your dosing or treatment, take it with you during your next doctor visit and test simultaneously with the blood sample being drawn for lab testing (be sure to find out if your meter results are converted to Plasma levels or if they’re being reported as whole blood levels).
How to know if your blood glucose level is accurate?
Take the blood glucose monitor along when you visit your doctor or have an appointment for lab work. Check your blood sugar level with your meter at the same time that blood is drawn for lab tests. Then compare your meter’s reading with the lab results. Results that are within 15 percent of the lab reading are considered accurate.
What can affect the results of a blood glucose meter?
Anything you touch or put on your skin can end up in your blood sample and then on your test strip. Since many current meters utilize a micro-sized blood sample, just touching something that contains sugar and not washing your hands can affect your readings.
What can cause an inaccurate blood glucose reading?
If a blood drop becomes mixed with water it can dilute the sample, causing an inaccurate reading. 3. Expired test strips All test strips have an expiry date.