It seems humidity influences the readings ...

[Marginal]

Well.

I can see other people have already mentioned that in previous posts, but I feel I need to open a new topic about it.
I believe, when it is too humid in the room where I test (let's say 70% relative humidity), and/or there's some humidity left on the finger I am using for the test (let's say from the water I've used to wash in the morning), the results are higher with a rate of 15%.
I'm using a Bayer's Contour USB & the Contour strips ...
I called their tech. support in Canada, but they were not much of help and sent me to my MD ).
Has anyone else experienced such a happening?
If so, please, share your experiences.
People have mentioned (as well as the manufacturer's instructions) that humidity influences the readings, but I haven't seen anyone mentioning, that the readings are inacurate ONLY to the higher rate yet.

Please, share.

Regards.

[Bountyman]

I use the same meter and test strips as you do. From the Bayer USB FAQs-Features [Test Strips] website in regards to "humidity":

Q: Do I have to close the bottle every time I remove a test strip?
A: Yes, the bottle is designed to keep the test strips dry. Exposure to room humidity from leaving the bottle open or not storing them in the original bottle can damage your test strips.

All test-strip bottles have a moisture absorber in them. The reason for this is to keep the reagents in them dry. The blood sample that's sipped up into the test strip reacts with the reagents in order to produce a significant conductivity that the meter reads in Ohms resistance. This is why it takes 5 seconds to read the blood test. The meter is waiting for the reagents to mix with the blood enough to read the continuity. Moisture in the air (humidity) has almost zero effect on test strips that are just picked from a test strip bottle. You'd have to be testing in a steam bath and leave the test strip out long enough for the moisture to enter the channel the blood is drawn into.

You can test drive this by using one of those kettles that you make hot water in for tea. Put the kettle on, wait until it starts whistling, then take a blood test away from the stove. Now do the test again with your finger held high above the steam (99% humidity) and I doubt you'll see a difference, if any.

I know I'm talking Relative Humidity as opposed to Absolute or Specific Humidity...but let's not get too anal about this.

[Marginal]

Thank you for your reply Bountyman.

I close the container right after I take a strip out, and have always done so.
Might do the test you are suggesting though.
Let's see what will the other users of the Contour strips have to say on the subject.

Cheers.

[Marginal]

BTW, where's that moisture absorber you are mentioning?
Is it integrated in the walls of the bottle?
If it is the small silica gel packet we see usually and which are used to prevent moisture, I have never seen one in the Contour bottles I am using ...

[Bountyman]

Let's see what will the other users of the Contour strips have to say on the subject.

I don't think, in this case, that the question should deal with just Contour test strips...as humidity is a universal factor. Wouldn't you agree?

[Bountyman]

BTW, where's that moisture absorber you are mentioning?
Is it integrated in the walls of the bottle?
If it is the small silica gel packet we see usually and which are used to prevent moisture, I have never seen one in the Contour bottles I am using ...

Open your Contour test strip bottle and run your finger down the side of the bottle. Feel that ridge starting about 1/4 inch from the top? That is the start of the moisture insert (pressed into the plastic container during its manufacture. You can't remove it.) Other manufactures use different methods. My Accu-Chek test drums have two moisture checks. One is in the cap of the container; moisture-absorbing crystals behind a cardboard insert...and a small moisture-absorbing collector just above each test strip in the drum itself.

[Marginal]

Well, my knowledge in this field is not great, maybe other manufacturers use other technologies, maybe not.
Anyway, let's invite all the users of Glucometers using strips ).

[Marginal]

OK, I felt the moisture absorber inside the bottle, thanks for the tip ...

[Bountyman]

OK, I felt the moisture absorber inside the bottle, thanks for the tip ...

As an aside here: A few months ago my brother was over and noticed after I used up the last test strip in a test strip bottle that I'd tossed it in the waste basket. He's a medical marijuana user and asked me to save the bottles for him as they looked handy to take with him when he traveled.

Last week he was by again and I had another batch of bottles saved for him. He said, "no thanks", that he'd put some of his herb in a bottle...and when he went to roll one...the herb was so dry it almost turned into powder trying to roll it. That's how absorbent this stuff is.

[Marginal]

A friend of mine told me yeaterday, if the silica gel gets wet, it can be dried and reused ..

[Marginal]

But still, I want to make sure, if the relative humidity is high, the results stay the same ...

[jshuffle]

Can I ask what made you decide on a BG reading rise of 15% with humidity?

[Hooterville]

You mention humidity in a room and you mention humidity left on a finger after washing and not drying completely. I'm just not inclined to believe that a "humid finger" is going to test higher than a dry finger. If anything, it would test lower because the blood sample would be diluted (with water) and contain a smaller percentage of sugar.

I'm as careful about drying my fingers as I am about washing them.