Testing different reading on each finger

Gabby123 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 08:49 PM

When I test my BS I get a 10 point different reading on one finger over the other. If I use my thumb it is different than my index finger. Anyone else notice this.

volleyball · #2 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 09:21 PM

Each blood sample will be different plus the tolerance factor of the meters

BriOnH · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 11:06 PM

What meter are you using?

mho357 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2007, 07:09 AM

I've seen this too. I have the Accu-Chek Aviva.

One morning last week I thought that I would check to make certain that my breakfast routine was still working for me - the reading was 128 @ 2 hours! What happened? I decided to check a different finger and got 103.

I think that just shows that the meter is only good to watch trends and the numbers are not absolute.

20% sounds really crude - taking accurate measurements is a big part of my job (test engineer) and the instrumentation is usually calibrated to less than 1%.

However, consider what the meter is being asked to do with such a tiny sample. Based on that, I am not surprised to see some error.

M

owlyn · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2007, 09:25 AM

1. You are NOT a machine. There will be variances in your body.
2. You meter is a machine, but it works using electrochemistry. While I suspect more accurate readings are possible, there would likely be a trade off in sample size, strip cost, meter cost, etc. Today's meters have a +-20% range, so if your BG is 100, your meter could read anywhere from 80-120.
3. Samples from the same finger 5 seconds apart will be different. Don't worry about it. It's nothing.

Dan Gato · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2007, 10:02 AM

MHO, et al,

There is a meter, I think that is made in Europe, it costs about $750 & it's big, it weights more than a pound. Can you imagine how much the strips costs. but it's very accurate.

I think that a cheaper & smaller version is on the works.

Gabby123 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2007, 10:32 AM

I use the acsencia contour. That can really tick me off when I think i am under 100 and I come up 20% higher. Glad to hear it happens to others.
Thanks

RobiJo · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owlyn

1. You are NOT a machine. There will be variances in your body.
2. You meter is a machine, but it works using electrochemistry. While I suspect more accurate readings are possible, there would likely be a trade off in sample size, strip cost, meter cost, etc. Today's meters have a +-20% range, so if your BG is 100, your meter could read anywhere from 80-120.
3. Samples from the same finger 5 seconds apart will be different. Don't worry about it. It's nothing.

Exactly! Heck squeeze the daylights out of your finger, get a lot of blood, and test on as many meters as possible with the same blood. They won't be exactly the same either, even on the same meter.