? for Diabetics/pre-diabetes. Can a hospital's bloodwork produce a false reading?

Question

Sorry so long....

My mother (75) was in the hospital during x-mas time. During that time they diagnosed her with diabetes/pre-diabetes. She was having blood levels ranging from 130-265 while in the hospital. We got the glucose meter....etc, and started testing at home. We also went and seen a dietician and she was puzzled with my mother's at home readings, that were only ranging from 91-130. She is not taking any insulin at this time.

Fast forward to last week when my mother had to have a 12 hour fasting labwork done at the hospital. The hospital said her blood glucose was 195. I don't understand how. We have never been able to duplicate such a high reading at home, especially not eating anything for 12 hours.

I have calibrated the meter and it is fine, but I don't know what is going one. If anyone has maybe some insight as to what is going on, I would love to hear it. Could the hospital's tests be off in some way?

TIA!!!!

Answer 1

Blood sugar levels can go all over the place, depending on how much insulin your body produces and and how well your body uses the insulin it does produce. The better test to have done is a Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test. That will tell how her blood sugar has been over a long period of time. Good results of a HbA1c are 7.0 or lower. The doctors should be doing this test as a routine matter if her blood sugar levels are high in the hospital.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Did you use a control solution to test the meter? Most meters come with some control solution for testing but you can also buy it at the pharmacy.

Understanding Diabetes is your key and education is your answer.

Believe me it's not the hospital's tests that are wrong it is that when she is fasting the pancreas feels it must release more insulin to cope and her blood sugar goes up during the night; which causes the higher reading when they take a fasting blood sugar in the morning. I have the same thing happen to me and lots of people do but some do not.

It's not that she will have high sugar levels all the time; it is that they fluctuate that is the problem' swinging highs and lows are not good for the body. There are people who have much higher readings in the morning this is know as the, "Dawn Phenomenon"

I had much the same thing happen to me. How many times a day do you test your Mom? Sometimes it is necessary to test 5 or more times a day to figure out what is happening along with keeping a diary of what was eaten and record the blood sugar counts.

There are lots of links to help you and your Mom. Understanding diabetes and learning to live with it can be challenging but also very educational.

http://www.bddiabetes.com/us/main.aspx?cat=1&id=237&CMP=OTC-RSS_Diabetes

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=588816

Answer 5

The hospitals use international standards to measure glucose levels. the glucose meters do use a different method, to make it faster. There are pretty good correlations between them, but there are also other effects that can play a major role. The glucose level fluctuates during the day, based on activity, food intake, stress ( hospital), medication and hormones ( not only insulin, cortisol,...). The fact that you mothers glucose level are able to go even at home to 130 makes it pre- diabetic. It is just a watch out. Keep an eye on it. There are other tests to determine how her glucose levels averages out over a 2 week or 3 month period. Best HgbA1 for the 3 month value. So, yes you both can have the right readings. That why we have trained personal to interpret these results ( MD's, Med Techs, Dietitian,..)

Answer 6

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Answer 7

The average blood sugar runs from 90 to 120. I am diabetic too. It is doubtful that hospital tests could be in error over a 2 to 3 day period but it isn't impossible. Your mom could be borderline diabetic, and just not showing any signs right now. Best to follow doctor's instructions and keep that blood sugar down. Mine has been as low as 92 and as high as 154. Please tell your mom to stick to the diet, meds and whatever she has to do to keep her sugar low. She'll live a longer and much happier life. The side effects aren't bad either. I've dropped over 30 lbs as of today.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Blood sugars can run high and low all the time. My mother was a diabetic and I seen hers run like your mothers too. I doubt the hospital is wrong. It sounds to me like your family is in denial at this time. The best thing to do is follow what the Drs. say to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep the blood sugars at the levels they should be. Diet is so important and eating regular meals and on time is very important too because sugar levels rise and drop with the way we eat our meals.
Good Luck.

Answer 10

There could be several causes to the situation.
-- Depending on what type of medication your mother was on in the hospital could cause her BS (BLOOD SUGAR) to rise, especially steriods. Also stress, infection, poor nutrition.
-- more than likely your mothers fasting BS done @ the hospital was an HGAB1C testing which will calculate your average BS over several weeks not just for that moment or that day.
-- Always remember always get a 2nd opinion if you have doubts.. I would also suggest following up with her PCP