tatanka

Hi,
I have type 2 diabetes and I am confused about the differences in the readings between two meters that I have. One is Ascencia Contour and the other is Easy Check. The Easy Check consistantly reads high than the Contour. What do people do in a case like this? Thanks

otep

That really is confusing. Why dont you have your blood sugar checked at a center and bring those two meters with you. once you get the reading try to get a reading from your two meters as well the closest reading from the center is i guess your basis. keep the other one. It is really confusing depending on two meters as they might have different sensitivity to read your sugar level. Also my grandma also experiences wrong readings when her meter's battery is low.

Cheers

javis

It´s really smart that idea of bringing your meters to a health center and get a "multi-reading" to compare. I think that I need to do that. Sometimes I´m not satisfied to my accu-chek readings. And I´m always wondering if the ammount of blood dropped can confuse the electronic eye.

Cheers!

otep

Hello. Personally, I do not think that the amount of blood drop confuses the electronic eye as it contains the same amount of "element" in there (the blood). But who am I to say that - when we test our grandmother's blood, we even mute the television and those people beside her on the bed does not move, we don't even speak until the reading is done hahahaha talk about being cautious.

javis

Well, I´m not quite sure of how this device does its work. But I have 3 from different brands and sometimes I can not believe on none of them.
Regarding the measuring instance... I think its better to not being in an earthquake at that moment

Terrie

Hi:

Different companies make different meters so of course they
will not match. It is a Good idea to have 2 of the same kind.
You can usually get one free from your Dr. and then the same
one from your Pharmacy free. Or if you have Insurance even better.

As far as discrepancies in meters there is also a thing known as
bad lots. I had a One Touch Ultra meter which came in close
comparision to my Drs. meter. Then I got a free Freestyle meter
which was a DUD. It worked fine for normal and lower level blood
sugars. But when my sugars hit 7.0(126)on my Ultra, the numbers
on the Freestyle were 11.2(202)-12.0(216). You have to watch for
DUDS. As Otep says check against your Drs. meter.

Make sure that the strip line is fully covered with blood to get a
proper result. Also wash your hands under warm water to wash off
any substances and to warm your fingers so the blood runs freer.
Even raising your hands up and down helps.

Make sure that your strips number on the container matches the
number on your meter.

I prefer to take the 2nd or 3rd drops of blood from the lanced spot
since they are newer and more circulated.

javis

Thanks for your advices, Terrie.

Certainly, sometimes I don´t give the test the time it deserves. And I hope my meter is working ok. By the way, I feel that it is giving measures highers than they are in reality.

Cheers!

Terrie

Did you take your meter to your regular Dr./Clinic and
compare it to their meter results? Or the last time
that you had your A1c blood test done at your Dr's
office, did you test your blood on your meter immediately
after? Then you can compare the result of your meter
with the result of the A1c when it comes back. It doesn't
have to be exactly the same number but it should be
reasonably close.

Do you perhaps need new batteries?

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. Currently, there
are many meters on the market that give results as "plasma
equivalent," even though they are measuring whole blood glucose.
The plasma equivalent is calculated from the whole blood glucose
reading using an equation built into the glucose meter. This allows
patients to easily compare their glucose measurements in a lab test
and at home. It is important for you and your healthcare provider to
know whether your meter gives its results as "whole blood equivalent"
or "plasma equivalent."

You're Welcome Javis.

Terrie

Hi Javis:

You've mentioned this a couple times but you haven't
said what makes you think that your meter is testing
higher than it should be?

javis

It´s all about symptoms. Or sometimes, because I know my body, and I´m sure of what I´ve done to give a measure.

For example, everyday at lunch time, I return home walking 30 blocks and without eating for some 3-4 hours and just as I reach my house I use to measure my blood, and sometimes, but not the usual is that I get a 200.

I know that a walk is not enough as could be a jogging session, but it must lower my sugar in blood for sure.

Cheers.