Your guide to blood glucose meter accuracy
Looking into your meter results:
Your blood glucose meter gives you the data you need to help you control your blood sugar. With it, you can see how different foods, lifestyle choices, and habits affect your readings. But even a meter with the latest technology is only as useful as it is accurate. This guide will help you understand how to assess and ensure the accuracy of your meter.
What do we mean by accurate?
Blood glucose meters are designed to estimate true blood glucose as measured by a laboratory measurement, which is the most accurate way to test. Since blood glucose meters do vary, the FDA requires that their results fall within a certain range of those lab measured numbers to be considered “accurate".
Why we compare meter results to lab results:
To properly gauge meter accuracy we compare their results with those from a lab. Labs use a larger sample of your blood and larger, more precise instruments for detecting glucose, providing a more accurate and consistent measurement.
How the connected meter measures up:
Research involving 30 popular meters showed a big range between the meters, and the connected meter was among the most accurate and during the 2014 FDA submission. Connected meters registered blood glucose readings within 15% of the lab value 99% of the time (for readings > 75 mg/dL) and within 15 mg/dL 100% of the time (for readings < 75 mg/dL).
3 reasons accuracy is important:
- Diagnosis and management: Accuracy is essential when determining whether someone has diabetes. It’s also important in determining the right medication and deciding how aggressive the treatment should be
- Dosing of rapid-acting insulin: A doctor may prescribe fast-acting insulin to cover meals and correct out-of-range readings. Accurate readings help them determine the right dose.
- Responding to low blood sugar: When blood sugar is low, fast-acting carbs may be appropriate. Inaccurate readings can lead to either needless or missed treatments.
Why blood glucose values can vary:
Because of the way sugar mixes with your blood, the level of blood glucose isn’t constant throughout your bloodstream. In fact, you could get a different result from the same drop of blood on different meters. And while both results are accurate, they’re not the same (though they are usually relatively close).
6 simple tips to ensure accuracy:
- Make sure your meter is charged and wait 30 minutes after charging before doing a test.
- Keep the strips in their bottle to protect them from light and humidity and make sure they have not expired. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures (if you leave them in your car on a hot or cold day, toss them).
- Wash your hands with soap and thoroughly dry them before checking.
- Use an alcohol pad to clean the finger you intend to prick.
- Prick yourself with a sterile lancet, making sure to fill up the test strip completely.
- If you suspect your meter is wrong, don’t hesitate to re-check or do a control solution check.
Avoid the mistake of comparing meters to each other.
Your meter results fall within a range of a lab-measured true blood glucose level, not another meter’s results. For example, if your true blood glucose level is 100 mg/dL, meter results can be anywhere from 85 to 115 mg/dL. Comparing any two readings within this range does not tell you which one is more accurate.
Individual blood sugar targets vary by person. Talk to your doctor or schedule a session with a Teladoc Health coach about the checking pattern that makes the most sense for you.
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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.