Diabetes Type 2 Support Group

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not make efficient use of it. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert food into glucose, a sugar that the body uses for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose can accumulate in the blood, and can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and strokes and organ damage...

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How Accurate are Meters

Lynnedz56
Lynnedz56
I took my blood sugar this afternoon and it was 160 and then I ended up going to the ER for something else and as a standard, they run blood glucose as one of the blood tests. And 2 hours later, it came back at 110. My question...how accurate is my meter? Or is it common to drop that much.
earthworm
earthworm
Accuracies vary with the age/brand of meter and, depending on our severity of diabetes, the numbers too will vary thru-out the day..
IMO, in order to draw a useful conclusion, one needs to test at the same time after a meal or event using the same meter..
phedrick
phedrick
I have read, somewhere, that personal glucose meters are not extremely accurate, and they don't have to be by government regulation. I think they are a good tool to use, if not for 100% accuracy, but for consistency, which is why you should stick to one meter as much as possible. I believe I have read that personal glucose meters can be as much as 10% off, and pass regulation.
Lynnedz56
Lynnedz56
Thanks. The doctors tell me I'm an "overachiever" and I'm looking for 100% accuracy...which rarely happens in anything. I need to find that happy medium between taking this seriously and relaxing enough to go on with life and just remember basic guidelines. I know with my sodium restricted diet, after 2 years, it as become automatic to know sodium levels or at least look if I don't know.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Lynnedz56-
I just had my blood work done at my doctors office and they use a great lab. So I took my meter with me and know that it read 103 at the time of the draw. Waiting now for the lab results to compare. I, like Phedrick, have also heard that meters can be off by as much as 10%. But, if my is off by a lot more than that, back it goes to the company!
grannie
grannie
Yes, meters are a tool, however, you can check your meter with the control solution and also, make sure your test strips are not out of date.

I find testing at the same time of day is also important. These are just my opinions.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I too have been told that home meters can be off by as much as 10%. I go more by how I feel than what the number is. Like right now, I feel a little lightheaded and sweaty. I probably need to get home and take some insulin to counteract what my body is doing. Ever since I landed on the steroids for four years to treat my asthma, my blood sugar has been totally out of whack. And I hate that my meter isn't 100% accurate too. Maybe us perfectionists arent' the best patients? LOL

Annie