Getting True Results From Our Meters

When it comes to getting those anticipated numbers from our meter, it’s crucial to take the right steps. Do you use alcohol, sanitizer, soap & water? Other?

Be sure NOT to have residue on your finger. You know, lotion, cupcake frosting, toothpaste, soap.

A myriad of elements can lead to a false reading. It is important not to skip the step of cleaning fingers prior to testing. And proper cleaning matters.

Orange you glad you washed your hands?

Fruit, in particular, affects blood sugar results. A study was published in the Journal of Diabetes Care with 10 volunteers, none having diabetes. Their blood sugars were checked, with results generally around 90 mg/dl. The volunteers then peeled oranges, kiwis or grapes. Their blood sugars were checked again, after swabbing with alcohol. They peeled fruit once again and blood sugars were checked after washing hands in tap water.

The results: When the volunteer’s hands were washed with tap water, blood glucose readings matched the readings they had prior to peeling the fruit. However, when their blood sugars were measured after swabbing with alcohol, even up to 5 times, their readings shot up. 170 mg/dl for orange-peeling, 180 mg/dl for kiwi, and 360 mg/dl for the grapes.

The authors of this study say that the obvious message is to wash your hands with tap water, instead of relying on alcohol swabs before testing, especially when handling fruit.

To read more of this study, go to: diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/an-important-step-for-accurate-glucose-readings

Needless to say, it is important to have clean fingers before checking blood sugar. We can’t assume that the results are a true reflection of the amount of sugar in the blood versus what residue was left on the fingertip. Also, tap water-washing may be the best way to ensure a truer blood sugar reading. Do your own research, see what you come up with. More importantly, keep monitoring your blood glucose levels and be proactive in the management of your condition.