[Icon]

I have a Ascensia Contour that I use. Now let me say that I do not know if I have diabetes or not, as past hospitial tests have proved normal.
I was at the clinic twice, and it showed high sugar, but the hospitial glucose test, showed normal. So I am keeping an eye on it.
My meter has shown as high as 128 at times, then low as 86.
I just tested (fasting) and it was 108, then using the same blood on the finger, retested, and it showed 121.
Is my meter wacked???? It is only a year old and I bought new strips.

[Janlaton]

Second drops of blood from the same stick are usually higher because of the change in the blood. If you are testing 2 xs in a row stick yourself 2 xs! Do not know why but this is my endo's instruction. It works.

[babySlon]

Ha same problem with 3! Ascensia Contours.
moved to freestyle.

[moorejames]

Meters/strips have a margin of error of up to 15% or so. That means your 108 could have been as low as 92 or high as 124 (roughly).

Taking it successive times will get you different results with pretty much any meter.

I know it's hard to come to grips with at first, but it's your overall progress thats important, not any one single reading.

jim

[solox316]

Originally Posted by Janlaton

Second drops of blood from the same stick are usually higher because of the change in the blood. If you are testing 2 xs in a row stick yourself 2 xs! Do not know why but this is my endo's instruction. It works.

Interesting, never heard this before.

I found my freestyle to be the most variable, but my new one touch mini is showing the same variance. very frustrating.

[jillrapp]

I would like to recommend the Accu-Chek Aviva, only uses the tiniest bit of blood and with multiple readings it doesn't vary for me more than about 5% if any. Very small and compact and the lancet device that comes with it is also great. Right now you can get one free in the U.S. at https://www.accu-chek.com/promo/us/usdrtvpromo.htm
Take care!

[Scrabblechick]

Yes, that 15 percent variance can be extremely frustrating. I'm using an Aviva right now. The Multiclix lancet pen is great, I'll agree. However, I suspicion my Aviva routinely reads 10-15 or even 20 points higher than my actual BG, based solely on how I feel, after exercising, say. This has been an issue for some people who have posted on this forum.

I'm going to go with my One Touch Ultra2 for the next month and see how it compares with the Aviva. I'll post the results.

The advantage of the Aviva is indeed the small blood drop, and also the strips which you can touch instead of having to hold them by the very edges. It is a nice size, too.

[Icon]

Interesting, I did not know they could vary so much. Since the DR. said my sugar was normal, I did not bother to ask him about testing, I just took it upon myself to do so.
I am not sure of how to test, I just do it at different times.
So, at what times should I do this, and what reading should I start to be alarmed at? I was told anything in the 120 range is starting to get high, but if the meter is off, when should I start to worry?
And can I do my own test, like eat a lot of sweets and see what it reads after an hour? If so, what should it read after a binge on candy and soda for example, and still be normal?
Sorry for so many questions.......

[Penny]

You should never be sorry for asking questions, it's how you learn. I have two contours, one always runs 10 higher than the other....but the higher one matches my doctors, so I use it most of the time. I got a couple other meters free, but I have to wait for my prescription to run out to get strips for them. My Contour runs 30 higher than my Aviva, when the numbers are high, but about the same at lower numbers.

[moorejames]

Originally Posted by Icon

Interesting, I did not know they could vary so much. Since the DR. said my sugar was normal, I did not bother to ask him about testing, I just took it upon myself to do so.
I am not sure of how to test, I just do it at different times.
So, at what times should I do this, and what reading should I start to be alarmed at? I was told anything in the 120 range is starting to get high, but if the meter is off, when should I start to worry?
And can I do my own test, like eat a lot of sweets and see what it reads after an hour? If so, what should it read after a binge on candy and soda for example, and still be normal?
Sorry for so many questions.......

My testing when I was first diagnosed was:

- first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything
- 2 hours after breakfast
- directly before eating lunch
- 2 hours following lunch
- directly before eating dinner
- 2 hours following dinner
- before bed

This gives you the opportunity to see how each meal affects your blood sugar levels.

This only works if you don't snack or drink anything with carbs in it between meals however. Stick to no snacks and water only until you're comfortable with where your numbers are going to come in based on what you've eaten. It can take some time, unless you're boring like me and pretty much eat the same things everyday.

Now that I'm an "old hand" at it, I just kind of test whenever. Sometimes I'll go days without testing, sometimes I'll do the above for a few days - most times I'll just test my fasting and one random post meal test.

I generally shoot for below 110 for fasting numbers ( I suffer from DP quite a bit) and under 100 pre-meals. Post meals, I'm looking for under 130 or thereabouts depending on what I've eaten.

[Janlaton]

You know, I have tested for over 40 years and still do not understand why anyone who does not have to would bother sticking themselves. Do you have a history of diabetes in your family? Or do you have a number of symptoms? What is the logic behind do BG test? Just curious.

[Icon]

At one time I was taking something to clear my arteries. And in the cleaning, it made a blood test I had, to show high sugar and cholesterol. I took a fasting test, and it still showed high.
I laid off the stuff for a few days, then took the glucose test at a hospitial, and it showed normal. This was a little over a year ago.
My Dad had it, so I figure I might want to keep an eye one it.
Some of my reading have been as high as 128, so it cause me to worry some, but I see that readings can be varied.
Also, when I eat, I sometimes get a nervous feeling, like drinking 10 cups of coffee, so I thought that is might be something to do with high sugar.
Sometimes I wake up early, with the same feeling of my body racing from a lot of caffeine.
That and my heart will pound "really" hard. Normal heart rate, normal blood pressure, but pounds really hard. This happens all the time, at all times of the day, sometimes all day long. Sometimes it seems to make the bed springs squeek it beats so hard.
Again, I was worried this may be caused by high sugar.
So I am wanting to keep watch in case it might be pre-diabetes.
Also, I just looked at the little bottle of liquid that comes with the meter, is this to do a test reading to see if the meter is working properly?
Hmm, I just tested and it showed 113,116 and then 119. So I guess it is.
I still have a lot to learn.

[princesslinda]

With a family history of diabetes, I think you're smart to keep an eye on things, so you can know if your blood sugars start trending upwards. Many of us when diagnosed have had T2 for several years, and the sooner you catch it the better.

Also, with your family history, i'd suggest requesting an A1C annually at your physical exam. I'm all for being pro-active. I wish I had been more proactive myself and I might have kept diabetes at bay awhile longer.