Comparing Meter
and Laboratory Results
®
Your
On Call Advanced
Blood Glucose System and laboratory results
both report the glucose concentration in the serum or plasma
component of your blood. However, the results may differ somewhat
due to normal variation. This is expected, but the difference under
normal operating conditions should be no greater than 20%. To ensure
a reasonable comparison, follow these guidelines.
Before you go to the lab:
•
Bring your meter, test strip and control solution with you to the lab.
•
Make sure your meter is clean.
•
Perform a quality control test to make sure the meter is working
properly.
•
Comparisons will be more accurate if you do not eat for at least four
hours (preferably eight hours) before testing.
At the lab:
•
Wash your hands before obtaining a blood sample.
•
Obtain blood samples for a laboratory test and for your meter within
10 minutes of each other. This will ensure an accurate comparison
of results.
•
Never use your meter with blood that has been placed in test tubes
containing fluoride or other anticoagulants. This will cause falsely
low results.
Suggested Testing Times
and Target Goals
Tracking your blood glucose concentration through frequent testing is
an important part of proper diabetes care. Your diabetes health care
professional will help you to decide the normal target range for your
glucose levels. They will also help you determine when and how often
to test your blood glucose. Some suggested times are:
•
When you wake up (fasting level)
•
Before breakfast
•
1-2 hours after breakfast
•
Before lunch
•
1-2 hours after lunch
•
Before or after exercise
•
Before dinner
•
1-2 hours after dinner
•
Before bedtime
•
After a snack
•
At 2 or 3 AM, if taking insulin
1
You may need to test more often whenever :
•
You add or adjust your medication for diabetes.
•
You think your blood glucose levels may be too low or too high.
•
You are ill, or feeling uncomfortable over long periods of time.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends the following
blood glucose target ranges for diabetics.
Average pre-meal levels 3.9-5.6 mmol/l (70-100 mg/dl)
Peak post-meal level <7.8 mmol/l (140 mg/dl)
Consult your diabetes healthcare professional to set your own optimal
2
target ranges throughout the day .
Time of Day
Your Target Range
Waking up (Fasting level)
Before meals
2 hours after meals
Bedtime
2 AM to 3 AM
Other
(Note: 1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL)
Use the logbook to record your blood glucose measurements and related
information. Bring the logbook with you when visiting your physician so
that you can determine how well your blood glucose is being controlled.
This can help you and your health care professional make the best
decisions about your glucose control plan.
1. Jennifer Mayfield and Stephen Havas, "Self-Control: A Physician's Guide to Blood Glucose
Monitoring in the Management of Diabetes An American Family Physician Monograph"
2. American Diabetes Association Position Statement: Standards of Medical Care in
Diabetes.
Diabetes Care, Volume 28
(Suppl. 1): S10, January 2005
En
En
37
38
