I tested at 50 this morning and the booklet said that’s very low but to take another test to make sure. My next test was 120! That’s a helluva difference.
Did you eat before either first or second test? How far apart did you test the levels?
Also how old is your tester
No, I didn’t eat, I took the second test immediately after the first. The tester is brand new.
Weird 151515151
It could be the quality of the meter @77nick77
Make sure you use alcohol wipes before you stick yourself and wipe off the first drop of blood before testing blood. The blood can mix with the alcohol on the finger and give you a false reading. Always test the second drop after swiping the first with a cotton swab. That eliminates the chance of the test itself being invalid.
If your sugar level is in the 50s you would know. I shake violently and become non verbal and catatonic when that low. Likely the 120 reading was more accurate.
Also it depends on the location of the testing on your fingers. The sides of the digits, not thumbs, rather than tips tend to be more accurate. I don’t know why.
If two readings are dramatically different, wait ten minutes and check again. Whatever that one is raises the chances of the similar number being most accurate.
Hope this helps.
Thanks @sweetpotatopie. Yeah, I didn’t feel sick or bad or anything. I think you’re right and the 120 was more accurate.
I don’t mean to be sounding like a know it all. I’ve just been dealing with diabetes for 15 years now so I’ve run into every issue under the sun while dealing with it.
I’m know since you’re a very hard working man that you probably have callouses in certain areas on your fingers. I do know that areas where the skin is thicker, blood draw readings are not as accurate. Maybe that’s why they say to poke the sides?. I feel lucky since I’m on the continuous glucose monitor I don’t have to finger stick anymore. It’s a pain and I respect anyone who has to deal with their diabetes.
Thanks.
No, you don’t, every little bit of information helps. I’m having a little trouble getting blood out. I did it on the second try this morning but it’s taken me as much as 6 pokes to get it before.
There are a couple possible reasons for that.
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Your finger is cold. Take a warm washcloth and wrap your finger in it for a minute.
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You are a tad dehydrated. Drink some water and wait twenty minutes.
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The skin spot is calloused from over use. Always rotate fingers so you don’t use the same spot repeatedly. It can build up scar tissue if you use the same place without letting it fully heal.
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The lancet is not poking your finger hard enough. Maybe increase the level of force. My setting for the lancet is usually at level 3. While it doesn’t hurt as much, putting it on a low poke setting doesn’t got into your skin with as much force so you’ll get less blood draw. The lower settings are basically for people with no callouses and vessels close to the top of the skin like what children and infants have. Prolly need to be 3-5 level for adults.
Hope this helps.
That’s possible since I have to poke my finger early in the morning before work.
Luckily, I only have to do it once a day, but yeah, I’ll rotate fingers.
I find I have to use the 5 setting in order to get a good drop of blood. I get blood from the side of the finger, the doctor didn’t tell me that but I figured out that’s the best place.
Thanks @sweetpotatopie , I’m new to all this so these tips help.
Yeah maybe cold is the issue. If you shower in the morning, testing your blood sugar right after your shower and that may help. It’s a learning process for sure. Keep learning about yourself, don’t be afraid to ask your doctors questions and it will get easier.