Common Mistakes People Make When Taking a Blood Sugar Test

Monitoring your blood sugar levels is a crucial part of managing diabetes, whether you have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. Regular testing provides valuable insights into how your body is responding to diet, exercise, medication, and stress. However, inaccurate blood sugar readings can lead to incorrect treatment decisions and potentially dangerous health consequences. Avoiding common mistakes during the testing process is essential for obtaining reliable results.

This article delves into the frequently made errors during blood sugar testing and provides practical advice on how to prevent them. By understanding and rectifying these issues, you can ensure more accurate readings and better manage your diabetes.

1. Insufficient Hand Hygiene: The Foundation of Accurate Results

One of the most basic yet frequently overlooked aspects of blood sugar testing is ensuring clean hands. Hand hygiene plays a pivotal role in preventing contamination of the blood sample, which can significantly skew results.

Why it matters: Traces of food, sugar, or other substances on your fingers can falsely elevate your blood glucose readings. Even seemingly insignificant residues can introduce enough glucose to influence the test result.
The solution:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before each test. Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, ensuring you clean between your fingers and under your nails.
- Rinse completely and dry with a clean towel.
- Avoid using alcohol-based sanitizers as a substitute for washing, especially if you've been handling food. While sanitizers kill germs, they don't remove physical contaminants.
- If soap and water are unavailable, you can use alcohol-based wipes to clean the testing site, but allow the alcohol to evaporate completely before proceeding with the test.
Real-world example: Imagine preparing a snack before testing your blood sugar. Even after a quick wipe, a tiny smear of honey on your finger could dramatically inflate the reading, leading to an unnecessary insulin dose.

2. Using Expired or Damaged Test Strips: Compromising Test Integrity

Test strips are critical components of blood glucose monitoring systems, and their integrity directly impacts the accuracy of the readings. Using expired or improperly stored test strips is a common mistake that can lead to unreliable and potentially misleading results. Lifestyle Changes To Naturally Lower Your A1C Levels

Why it matters: Test strips contain chemicals that react with glucose in the blood to produce an electrical signal read by the meter. These chemicals degrade over time, particularly when exposed to humidity or extreme temperatures. Expired strips or those stored incorrectly may not react properly, leading to falsely low or high readings.
The solution:
- Always check the expiration date on the test strip vial before using them. Discard any strips that have expired.
- Store test strips in their original, tightly closed vial in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing them in humid environments like bathrooms or near heat sources.
- Do not transfer test strips to a different container. The original vial is designed to protect the strips from moisture and light.
- Be mindful of the temperature recommended for storing the strips. Extreme heat or cold can damage them.
- If you notice any visible damage to the strips, such as discoloration or bending, discard them even if they haven't expired.
Real-world example: Suppose you purchase a large quantity of test strips to save money, but they sit in a hot car trunk during the summer. Even if they haven't reached their expiration date, the heat exposure could compromise their accuracy, leading to skewed blood sugar readings.

3. Incorrect Lancing Technique: Obtaining an Adequate Blood Sample

The lancing technique is a crucial aspect of blood sugar testing that significantly impacts the quality of the blood sample obtained. Insufficient blood volume or improper lancing depth can lead to inaccurate readings and unnecessary discomfort.

Why it matters: A blood sample that is too small may not be sufficient for the test strip to analyze accurately, resulting in an error message or a falsely low reading. Additionally, repeatedly squeezing the finger to obtain a larger sample can dilute the blood with interstitial fluid, leading to inaccurate results.
The solution:
- Use the appropriate lancing device: Ensure that the lancing device is properly calibrated and adjusted to the correct depth setting for your skin type. Thicker skin may require a deeper setting.
- Choose the correct lancing site: Puncturing the side of the fingertip, rather than the center, is generally less painful as there are fewer nerve endings in this area. Rotate fingers to avoid overuse.
- Warm your hands: If your hands are cold, warming them under warm water for a few minutes can improve blood flow.
- Gently massage the finger: Before lancing, gently massage the finger towards the fingertip to encourage blood flow.
- Avoid squeezing the finger excessively: After lancing, allow a small, round drop of blood to form naturally. If the blood flow is insufficient, gently milk the finger towards the puncture site, but avoid excessive squeezing.
- Do not smear the blood: Touch the test strip to the droplet of blood without smearing it.
Real-world example: Imagine being in a rush and quickly pricking your finger with too shallow of a setting. The lack of adequate blood leads to frustration as you squeeze your finger, mixing the blood with interstitial fluid. The result is a reading that is significantly lower than your actual blood sugar level.

4. Meter Maintenance and Calibration: Ensuring Reliability Over Time

Blood glucose meters, like all electronic devices, require regular maintenance and occasional calibration to ensure accurate and reliable performance over time. Neglecting these essential steps can lead to significant discrepancies in blood sugar readings.

Why it matters: Over time, the internal components of a blood glucose meter can drift, affecting its ability to accurately measure glucose levels. Changes in temperature, humidity, and altitude can also impact meter performance. Calibration helps to ensure that the meter is providing accurate readings within an acceptable range.
The solution:
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions: Each meter has specific maintenance and calibration requirements outlined in the user manual. Adhere to these guidelines.
- Use control solutions: Many meters come with control solutions containing known glucose concentrations. Use these solutions periodically to verify the meter's accuracy. Compare the meter reading to the control solution's target range.
- Clean the meter regularly: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the meter and remove any blood or debris. Avoid using harsh chemicals or solvents.
- Replace the meter's battery: Ensure the meter has sufficient battery power. A low battery can affect its accuracy.
- Consider professional calibration: Some healthcare providers offer professional meter calibration services. Consult your doctor or diabetes educator for recommendations.
Real-world example: Suppose you have been using the same meter for several years without ever calibrating it. Over time, the meter drifts, consistently reporting blood sugar levels that are 20 mg/dL lower than your actual values. This could lead to unnecessarily high insulin doses, increasing your risk of hypoglycemia.

5. Improper Coding or Setup: Correctly Configuring the Meter

Many blood glucose meters require proper coding or setup to ensure accurate readings. This often involves matching a code on the test strip vial to a setting on the meter. Failing to do so can result in significant inaccuracies.

Why it matters: Some meters use coding to calibrate the meter to the specific batch of test strips being used. This helps to compensate for minor variations in strip manufacturing. If the meter is not properly coded, it may not accurately interpret the signal from the test strip, leading to erroneous blood sugar readings.
The solution:
- Check the test strip vial and meter instructions: Determine if your meter requires coding.
- Match the code: If coding is required, ensure that the code displayed on the meter matches the code on the test strip vial. Some meters require manual coding, while others automatically recognize the code when a new strip is inserted.
- Change the code with each new vial: Whenever you start using a new vial of test strips, double-check the coding and make any necessary adjustments.
- Confirm correct date and time: Ensure that the meter's date and time are correctly set. This is important for tracking blood sugar trends and identifying patterns.
Real-world example: You open a new vial of test strips, but forget to change the code on your meter. The meter is now using the calibration settings for the previous batch of strips, resulting in blood sugar readings that are consistently higher than your actual values.

6. Ignoring Environmental Factors: Minimizing External Influences

Environmental factors such as temperature and altitude can sometimes influence the accuracy of blood glucose readings. Being aware of these factors and taking appropriate precautions can help to minimize their impact.

Why it matters: Extreme temperatures can affect the chemical reactions within the test strip, leading to inaccurate readings. High altitude can also impact meter performance due to changes in air pressure.
The solution:
- Test within the recommended temperature range: Most meters have a specified operating temperature range. Avoid testing in extremely hot or cold environments.
- Acclimatize to altitude changes: If you travel to a high-altitude location, allow your meter to acclimatize for a few hours before testing.
- Be aware of humidity: High humidity can affect test strip performance. Store test strips properly to protect them from moisture.
Real-world example: On a very cold winter day, you test your blood sugar outside without warming up your hands or allowing the meter to acclimatize to the temperature. The cold temperature slows down the chemical reaction within the test strip, leading to a falsely low reading.

7. Not Following Up on Unexpected Results: Verifying and Investigating Discrepancies

It's crucial to follow up on any unexpected or inconsistent blood sugar readings. Ignoring significant deviations from your normal range can have serious consequences, especially if you adjust your medication based on inaccurate results.

Why it matters: Unexpected blood sugar readings could indicate a problem with your meter, test strips, or testing technique. They could also be a sign of an underlying health issue or a change in your body's response to treatment.
The solution:
- Retest immediately: If you get an unexpected reading, wash your hands thoroughly and retest using a new test strip.
- Compare with previous readings: Review your recent blood sugar logs to see if the reading is significantly different from your usual range.
- Consider external factors: Think about any recent changes in your diet, exercise, medication, or stress levels that could have influenced your blood sugar.
- Check meter and test strip integrity: Ensure that your meter is properly calibrated and that your test strips are not expired or damaged.
- Contact your healthcare provider: If you continue to get unexpected or inconsistent readings, or if you experience any concerning symptoms, contact your doctor or diabetes educator for guidance.
Real-world example: You get a blood sugar reading of 50 mg/dL, even though you feel fine and haven't taken any extra insulin. Instead of ignoring the reading, you retest immediately and get a result of 110 mg/dL. This suggests that the initial reading was likely inaccurate due to a faulty test strip or improper technique. Understanding Your A1C Test What The Numbers Mean For Persons With Diabetes

| Action | Rationale | Potential Benefit | | :------------------------ | :------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Retest immediately | Verify the accuracy of the initial reading | Identify and correct errors in testing technique | | Compare with past readings| Identify significant deviations from your normal range | Detect potential problems with your meter, test strips, or underlying health | | Consult healthcare provider| Obtain professional guidance and address any underlying health issues | Prevent serious health consequences resulting from inaccurate readings |

By avoiding these common mistakes, individuals with diabetes can achieve more accurate blood sugar readings and make better-informed decisions about their health and treatment. Remember to prioritize proper hand hygiene, use valid and properly stored test strips, employ the correct lancing technique, maintain and calibrate your meter regularly, properly code or set up your meter, minimize the impact of environmental factors, and promptly address any unexpected or inconsistent results. Consulting with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and education is always recommended.