Hi,

My husband is a T2 and on meds. I have a family history of T2 and my Doc said "loose weight, eat healthy, exercise" but I have not been diag. as a diabetic,only "at risk"

Tonight I was feeling a little light headed and yulky so I decided to check my BSL with my husband's meter.

I washed my hands and the first reading was 147!!!!!!!!!!! I shocked! (I had a big dinner at 7pm but this was 5 hours AFTER eating) so....I decided to check it again and within less than a minute, the reading was 129. I find that odd and now I am worried. Anyone with any advice please feel free to post.

Thank you!

PS...I havent had an A1C test.

CynAnn

There are some variations with meter readings and they are not 100% accurate but they shouldn't give you that much of a difference within a minute and your blood sugar shouldn't drop that quickly. Is there testing solution that came with the meter? I would use that to make sure the meter is calibrated correctly and also make sure the test strips are not out of date. If all that looks good then just chalk it up to some weird fluke and don't worry about it. Just try testing again and if you keep getting the weird variations then maybe you can call the company and get a new meter. I know if it's Lifetouch they'll send one without a problem.

Thank you so much for your kind words of support and understanding, just hearing, yea...it could of been a fluke reading, an off reading...makes me feel so much better. I thought 147 sounded way too high, then when I got the next reading at 129, I was hoping it was just the meter and not me!

I checked again this morning and it was 101. My Doctor wants me to never go over 120 to try and eat right, etc and stay under 120, unless it's right after a meal.

Thank you for your reply!

oh yes...the meter is a One Touch Ultra. I checked and the supplies are not out of date, so I *think* back now, after washing my hands with the liquid soap in the kitchen if I washed all the soap off <?>...because after rinshing my hands well (after the 1st reading) the 2nd reading came up 129. But I do plan to keep check on things.

Thanks again!

Since there is a 15-20% error in readings, those numbers don't seem unusual to me, but the fact that there is a family history of T2 would indicate that it might be a good idea to get an A1c test done. The results you got were a bit high for five hours after eating.

I DID IT! :D I went this afternoon at 2pm and had the A1C test. I was so tired of wondering "what if...." I took your wonderful advice and had the test. I will know the results tomorrow. What is the safe number for A1C? If you are considered a non-diabetic, it should be under 5? Thanks!

That's great. It's certainly best to know what is actually going on in case you need to treat it. The fasting glucose test is a screening test and doesn't give the information that the A1c will. I am using diet and exercise to keep my diabetes in control and my doctor wants it under 6---5.5 would be even better and a goal to strive for. Let us know how it turns out.