BS readings - Confused!

[shutterbug]

I understand that meters are not 100% accurate. But, this morning my FBS was 102 on my right index finger and 91 on left index finger. How come there is a 11 point difference (take just a few seconds apart) between two hands?? :confused: :confused:

[davef]

Chris,

That's normal enough, from what I understand it there can be a 15-20% accuracy tolerance on meters and 91 is within 15% of 102. Bit of pain though!

[w5wjp]

1. Meters are only accurate to +- 10%.
2. Circulation differences in your body.
And just as your mother used to say "Just because"

[RobiJo]

Yea when we say meters vary we're not talking by like 2 points.
A 102 could be anywhere between 91 and 112 if following the +/- 10% rule. If going by the 20% rule, the range and even wider. Your difference was between 2 fingers. You can get that much difference using the exact same blood sample. (Just for kicks, squeeze out extra blood and test it twice and see what you get) Its a hard one to swallow, but those pokes are merely a close estimate. b

[bernfarr]

1. Meters are only accurate to +- 10%.

Most meters are closer in accuracy to +- 20%. I believe (though I've not read it) this is what's laid down by the ISO 15197 standard.

The only meter I know of that's more accurate is the WaveSense Keynote. They claim that 85% of their readings are +- 10%. David Mendosa has written about (http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/24867/ultimate-meter/) a new WaveSense meter that's due out later this year.

I was calibrating my Dexcom this morning. One finger said 122 mg/dL and another said 136. That's way within +-20% so it seemed like a 'close' result to me.

Based on comparisons I've done, for me the OneTouch seems to report values that are typically 10% less than my likely blood glucose readings. Your results may vary.

[Jules49]

I tend to check mine when they draw blood at the doctors office. They tend to be near the same. I tend to have major lows in my endo's office. The nurse freaks out. The last time I was there she asked what flavor of juice and I told her. She came back with a big box of juice and a package of crackers. It was 147 when I left the office. A small box of juice would have taken care of it but she made me eat two of the crackers. I have been there and it was in the 20's. That really freaked her out. Think I had already started on the tabs.

[Janlaton]

Another thought, did you restick or use a drop from the same site? The second drop from the same site can also have a different sugar level or if the blood has thinned out and been wiped on a tissue this can make the reading lower. Lots of things can be behind the differance.

Main thing do not panic. Both are good readings.:)