I get different blood sugar results from each finger/hand....even if I check at the same time.?

Question

When I check my blood sugars I get different results each time even in a calibrated meter, when I check in different places. They vary out of range (and I understand that there is a range) Even using several different meters with the suspicion that one may be faulty. When I use the calibration solution, though they all check within range. My physician tells me this is impossible, but it occurs frequently

Answer 1

This is a matter of statistical analysis.

A calibrated (accurate) meter can have mediocre precision (hitting the same # repeatedly). What is the range you are describing? +/- 10mg/dl is common.

If you really want to know the answer and have plenty of test strips, using the same blood hole, test at least 5x quickly. Take the average and standard deviation.

Do the same elsewhere, and perform a difference of means 2-sample t-test. Test the null hypothesis (no difference) for significance at p<0.05.

Here is a link::
http://www.cas.lancs.ac.uk/glossary_v1.1/hyptest.html#2sampt

Answer 2

I'm a medical technologist with almost 30 yrs experiences. I have seen this a lot. There are lots of meters out there, so I will try to cover all possible combinations.
First, make sure the you have read all the instructions with the meter. Make sure the test windows are clean. That is CRUCIAL. Dirty or scratched windows will produce erroneous results. Clean them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Older models - you had to input a code for the strips. Check that if necessary. Is it correct? Check your strips - are they in date? Have they always been recapped correctly? Moisture affects them.
Use your cal solution - is it in date? If there is a package insert with values on it , is it for the correct lot #? Does the cal solution read within the guidelines on the bottle or the insert? Is it always recapped immediately?
OK - now technique. Are you getting enough blood or too much on the strip? Do you let your finger dry after cleansing with alcohol? The really old strips, you even had to blot before putting in the machine. - But you probably do not have one of them. Do you use a new lancet every time? If it is a pen device, is the tip where the actual lancet screws in clean?
Are you using the machine correctly? I once had a patient do the procedure in front of me and turn the meter over upside down to touch the blood to the strip from his finger. Follow the instructions.

There is a big misconception about lab results. All labs experience some variation in results. This is normal and essential. Statistically speaking, there is not any difference between a glucose of 110 and 112. Every instrument has tolerances built into the reagent strips which are considered nowmal variation. It is normal to get different numbers as long as they do not vary wildly. The amount of that variation depends on the instrument and the strips.

Big labs usually use instrumentation that tests glucose in serum or plasma ( the liquid part of the blood). Your meter uses whole blood. The results will be different, but it can give you a ballpark.
I used to have my patients that had problems with meters bring them in. I would draw their blood from a vein. Let the tube sit to clot and process accordingly for my serum glucose test. Right after I drew the venous blood, I had the patient stick their finger and perform the test in front of me. I would write down their instant meter results, run my results ( which do take much longer ) and compare. Each instrument usually publishes their tolerances on inserts, example at a serum reading of 100, the meter may have a 10% tolerance - so a reading of 90-110 may be just fine for the meter. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE ONLY.
These figures will also vary as glucose values climb, especially in the high levels, over 300. If I ran the serum and got 150 and you ran themeter and got 80, we have a problem.

If you follow these steps, and a serum glucose shows a value way off from your meter. Talk to the manufacturer, most have 800 numbers on the inserts.

There is no real reason to poke yourself many times and places.
You should also not have to run control solution every time, strips are expensive. Refer to your instrument instructions.

I know this issue with the meter can be confusing. You should be commended for using it! I really think they should do an inservice with people who get one, before they take it home.
Good luck to you! Keeping your glucose in control is important!

Answer 3

If you are testing in places aside from your fingers and comparing the results to that, there is a lag time like the poster before me said, and you WILL get different readings if your BG has changed in the last 15 minutes.

The fingertips are the most accurate when checking for low blood sugar. They should always be used when you suspect this, or if you are a Type 1 diabetic.

Know that there is up to a 20% variation in some meters. This can result in a HUGE difference if your BG is high.

Make sure your hands and the top of your lancing device are clean. Are you applying the same amount of blood each time? (really would only affect older meters that would allow variation).

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Here's a little different viewpoint--

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Cinnamon
Bitter Melon
Gymnema Sylvestre
Nopal cactus
American Ginseng
Fenugreek
Chromium picolinate

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Answer 6

this is coming from a mother who has been dealing with a diabetic for 3 1/2 years. your sugar is going to vary from place to place it all depends where you test at. my sons meter has different settings one is for when you check with your finger and one is for an alternate site like your forearm. and all over your body is absorbing insulin at dinffernet rates so if you test in different areas you are going to get different results. it has nothing to do with your methods unless you are not cleaning the area.

Answer 7

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You ever think that perhaps the injection site MUST be thoroughly cleaned before each reading? I KNOW that this very easily could be the culprit to your differing #'s. As I went thru this myself.....I have to apologize, after looking back over that first line, It sounded degrading and rude....I didnt mean to, Im sorry.

Make sure your injection sites are washed with an antibacterial first b4 checking ur sugars!
God Bless you, and I highly commend with KUDOS all folks who take their diabetes seriously, such as yourself. It is so manageable, I cannot understand these weirdo's out there ( ahem..my pops-in-law) who do not think they need to be on top of this.......I guess they dont value their eyesight or limbs....?
God BLESS U!
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Answer 8

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Answer 9

I agree with Gala she beat me to the punch line. I would recommend washing and rinsing. Also, trying cleansing with alchohal first and see if you have the same results? Good Luck to you !

Answer 10

Measurement Range. Most glucose meters are able to read glucose levels over a broad range of values from as low as 0 to as high as 600 mg/dL. Since the range is different among meters, interpret very high or low values carefully. Glucose readings are not linear over their entire range. If you get an extremely high or low reading from your meter, you should first confirm it with another reading. You should also consider checking your meter's calibration.

Whole Blood Glucose vs. Plasma Glucose. Glucose levels in plasma (one of the components of blood) are generally 10-15% higher than glucose measurements in whole blood (and even more after eating). This is important because home blood glucose meters measure the glucose in whole blood while most lab tests measure the glucose in plasma. There are many meters on the market now that give results as "plasma equivalent". This allows patients to easily compare their glucose measurements in a lab test and at home. Remember, this is just the way that the measurement is presented to you. All portable blood glucose meters measure the amount of glucose in whole blood. The meters that give "plasma equivalent" readings have a built in algorithm that translates the whole blood measurement to make it seem like the result that would be obtained on a plasma sample. It is important for you and your healthcare provider to know whether your meter gives its results as "whole blood equivalent" or "plasma equivalent."

Cleaning. Some meters need regular cleaning to be accurate. Clean your meter with soap and water, using only a dampened soft cloth to avoid damage to sensitive parts. Do not use alcohol (unless recommended in the instructions), cleansers with ammonia, glass cleaners, or abrasive cleaners. Some meters do not require regular cleaning but contain electronic alerts indicating when you should clean them. Other meters can be cleaned only by the manufacturer.

Display Of High And Low Glucose Values. Part of learning how to operate a meter is understanding what the meter results mean. Be sure you know how high and low glucose concentrations are displayed on your meter.

Factors That Affect Glucose Meter Performance

The accuracy of your test results depends partly on the quality of your meter and test strips and your training. Other factors can also make a difference in the accuracy of your results.

Hematocrit. Hematocrit is the amount of red blood cells in the blood. Patients with higher hematocrit values will usually test lower for blood glucose than patients with normal hematocrit. Patients with lower hematocrit values will test higher. If you know that you have abnormal hematocrit values you should discuss its possible effect on glucose testing (and HbA1c testing) with your health care provider. Anemia and Sickle Cell Anemia are two conditions that affect hematocrit values.

Other Substances. Many other substances may interfere with your testing process. These include uric acid (a natural substance in the body that can be more concentrated in some people with diabetes), glutathione (an "anti-oxidant" also called "GSH"), and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). You should check the package insert for each meter to find what substances might affect its testing accuracy, and discuss your concerns with your health care provider.

Altitude, Temperature and Humidity. Altitude, room temperature, and humidity can cause unpredictable effects on glucose results. Check the meter and test strip package insert for information on these issues. Store and handle the meter and test strips according to the instructions.

Third-Party Test Strips. Third-party or "generic glucose reagent strips" are test strips developed as a less expensive option than the strips that the manufacturer intended the meter to be used with. They are typically developed by copying the original strips. Although these strips may work on the meter listed on the package, they could look like strips used for other meters. Be sure the test strip you use is compatible with your glucose meter.

Sometimes manufacturers change their meters and their test strips. These changes are not always communicated to the third-party strip manufacturers. This can make third-party strips incompatible with your meter without your knowledge. Differences can involve the amount, type or concentration of the chemicals (called "reagents") on the test strip, or the actual size and shape of the strip itself. Meters are sensitive to these features of test strips and may not work well or consistently if they are not correct for a meter. If you are unsure whether or not a certain test strip will work with you meter, contact the manufacturer of your glucose meter.

I hope the above information helps you understand the variance in the fingerstick blood sugars results. Case in point is to have your HbA1c tested for accuracy of your blood sugars. Calibrate and quality control test your glucose meter often. Sometimes, the patients know more than the doctors.post extensive research and reading. After all, their (the doctors) knowledge is mostly book learned. . You, the patient has every right to make the ultimate decision . After all it's your own body. Some doctors refuse to listen to their patients. You 're entitled to have all of your questions answered.