Erroneous Blood Glucose Readings

Accurate blood glucose measurements are important, since decisions about medication adjustments, meal plans or activity are based on them. But, what can cause an erroneous reading? 1) Outdated or unusable strips - check the expiration date on your strips. Strips that are outdated will not give an accurate reading. 2) User error - learn how to use your glucose monitor. It is best to have a nurse or other healthcare professional teach you the best way to use your monitor, especially when you get a new one. 3) Wrong calibration chip/code for the strip being used - check the code on the bottle of stips, and make sure to calibrate your monitor to the correct code 4) Meter needs cleaning - sometimes blood can cloud the sensor, depending on the type of meter you have. Follow the manfacturer's instructions for cleaning your machine and set up a schedule for routine maintenence. If after you have tried these tips and you still cannot get an accurate reading, contact your healthcare provider for a replacement monitor or additional guidance in problem-solving.