BG meters

[angelsbridges]

do they all have the 20% error margin?

is there a more accurate way to test?

I'm starting to feel like sometimes my insulin works over-time, and sometimes it doesn't. I don't know what this means.

Sometimes after I eat, it will go up to 160, other times after eating the same thing, it will only go to 101 (with the margin of error, mind you). I'm hoping to find a better way of testing if anyone has any suggestions :)

[Ronin]

Hi Angels!

Yeah, it is confusing. Yes, all the meters have some degree of error. Could you get a more accurate result? Yes, if you have your own laboratory and the training to do the blood work that would give you a perfect result (I know that sounds sarcastic, but that is really the only way to get 100% accuracy) Realistically, the laboratories have expensive versions of the same machine you have at home that are only slightly more accurate. Nobody does the detailed chemistry unless they have to.

To put this all in perspective, the meters, even with their error margin are light-years ahead of the urine strips that older diabetics used before (ask some of the old timers about them and how "accurate" they were)

As a Pre-D your pancreas is working, but something is wrong. That something can be Insulin Resistance (IR), some part of the hormonal signaling system that isn't working right, or your pancreas starting to shut down.

At this point in your journey the best thing to do is create a log (I use a spreadsheet) where you capture all kinds of information about what you ate, your activity levels, time of day, if you have a cold coming on (infections tend to make BG levels go higher), where you are in your hormonal cycle, et cetera. As you plot the data it will not make any sense, then suddenly it will all come together and you will see the pattern. Eat certain foods, do certain types of exercise, and you get a movement in you BG levels that you understand. Understanding is the key. You are in the process of learning how your body manages glucose (or fails to manage it).

I now test my FBG and post breakfast. Only when I make a big change in diet or exercise do I do more testing. The reason is I have learned what works for me and I keep doing it. As long as my FBG's are reasonable and the post-breakfast readings show that all is well I'm in the zone. Twice a year I have full blown blood work compelte with an HbA1c and C-Peptide reading to keep tabs on the bigger issues.

[PERKDOUG]

My experience with 3 meters: they are accurate to much less than 20%. Yesterday I got my first reading on a new meter and then used my old meter to compare. They were identical in reading my BS. I would recommend having at least 2 meters so when you get an unexpected reading you can make a comparison. Three meters will remove all doubt. Meters are cheap investments, the test strips are the true expense. Having several meters to compare when something seems amiss, is just peace of mind.

I acquired these 3 meters for less than $50.00 total. This is pocket change considering you gain peace of mind using the meters to validate an unusual reading as accurate or in error.

Look online there are offers for free meters.