Blood Glucose Meter Accuracy

Blood glucose meters are invaluable instruments used in managing diabetes. But if your meter isn't accurate, it isn't fulfilling its purpose.

Below is a list of things that you can do to maximize your meter's efficiency.

Storage

Your meter should be in a protective case of sleeve when not in use. These are very delicate instruments that will not read properly if their calibration is off. Banging it around in a bag or in your pocket only offsets its ability to read.

Many diabetics do not realize that meters can become affected by outside components, too. Humidity and temperature are just two factors that can alter readouts. Your meter should be dry and within normal temperature ranges at all times. Storing it in a hot car during the summer is a no-no.

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is everything. This not only goes for the meter, but also the strips, too. Dust, dirt or even sweat can affect the validity of a reading. Considering how little the blood sample is being tested means very little room for error. Debris on the test strip taints the sample and can alter the readout.

Believe it or not, dirty hands will reduce the likelihood of a good reading. Think about when you get a shot: the first thing they do is to clean the skin with alcohol to ensure a sterile injection. Blood samples may not require sterilization, but the cleaner the entry is, the better.

Strips have an expiration date. By using outdated strips you risk getting an invalid reading. The condition of the strips also comes into play. If they aren't protected, they can become scratched, dented or the surface damaged. Any or all of these can reduce accuracy.

Get a Free Diabetes Meal Plan

Get a free 7-Day Diabetes Meal Plan from Constance Brown-Riggs who is a Registered Dietitian-Certified Diabetes Educator and who is also a national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Just enter in your email below to download your free Diabetes Meal Plan.

By clicking Submit, you agree to send your info to BattleDiabetes.com who, in addition to 3rd party partners, may contact you with updates, products and information and we agree to use it according to our privacy policy and terms and conditions.

More Articles

More Articles

For decades people with type-1 and advanced type-2 diabetes relied on painful and often flawed insulin injections to regulate blood sugar...

Scientists have discovered that a single gene forms a common link between type 2 diabetes and...

Natural supplements like cinnamon extract and apple cider vinegar could hold the key to lowering blood sugar levels, according to a recent...

Natural supplements like cinnamon extract and apple cider vinegar could hold the key to lowering blood sugar levels, according to a recent...

Could a person's risk for type 2 diabetes be written in their genes?

According to a study recently published in ...

Women who frequently shift around their sleeping hours could have worse metabolic health outcomes than their peers who stick with a...

The presence of the hormone leptin may hinder prenatal development, which could explain the origin of type 2 diabetes, according to...

An analysis of fossilized Native American feces shows that our ancestors ate up to sixteen times the fiber that we do today, but our...

Managing diabetes is hugely challenging for people of any age, but a new study suggests that young people may suffer all the more....

Disruptions to the gut’s ecosystem could be a future symptom facing young children who take antibiotics, which makes them more susceptible...

Breastfeeding a newborn holds many benefits for mommy and baby; it reduces the baby's risk for colds and viruses, it helps his bones (and yours)...

Fans of the Dexcom G5 Mobile have something to smile about.

At yesterday's hearing with the U.S. Food and Drug...

If you start your day with a cup of tea and end it with a glass of red wine, your blood sugar may thank you.

At least that...

As medical experts continue to debate whether or not "healthy obesity" can even exist, one new study suggests that risk for heart disease...

For years, type 1 diabetics have been anxiously waiting for that medical marvel that can stop the constant injections: the artificial...