:confused: I have been using my glucose monitor twice a day for the last 3 months.... Last night I was doing my regular 2 hours after dinner test and I got a 138 - I was a bit shocked - I have never had a reading that high - I stood there for a second and looked at the meter then decided to stick another finger and do it again - where I got a 124. What is up with that - two readings within a few seconds of each other and a 14point difference? How off are the meters typically - does using a different finger matter???

I would love any insight

Thanks

Meters can be way off due to a number of factors, low battery, not enough blood on the strip, etc. or it might even be the strips themselves which are defective in some way. I see my diabetic doctor every six months and have my meter tested when I see him. He does an A1c on me every six months so I ask if they can include a meter test with my blood test. Basically they test your blood sugar with the meter and also draw blood from your arm; matching the blood sugar readings from the meter with the arm blood test to see differences. I’ve heard of meters being off by 100 points, which can lead to improper insulin dosages. After only 3 months it just may be your battery or a bad batch of strips. It’s hard to tell without getting your meter tested; I would suggest calling your diabetic nurse.

In general, meters are only accurate to within 15-20%. Some are better than others, but they all have a 15-20% parameter for accuracy. Add to that the fact that blood glucose levels are not static...they are constantly changing, the fact that the levels can vary in different parts of your body (and from finger to finger), and it is not at all surprising to get two such different results so close together. If you've checked your battery, tested with control solution, made sure your meter is properly coded for your strips, and made sure your strips are not out of date, then it's probably just one of those anomalies that happen from time to time.

By the way, 138 after eating is not bad...even non-diabetics will sometimes go that high two hours after a meal, depending on what they ate.

Ruth