Comparing Meter and Laboratory Results
The meter provides you with whole blood equivalent results. The result
you obtain from your meter may differ somewhat from your laboratory
result due to normal variation. Meter results may be affected by factors
and conditions that do not affect laboratory results in the same way.
To make an accurate comparison between meter and laboratory
results, follow the guidelines below.
Before going to the lab:
Perform a control solution test to make sure that the meter is
working properly.
Fast for at least eight hours before doing comparison tests, if
possible.
Take your meter with you to the lab.
While staying at the lab:
Make sure that the samples for both tests are taken and tested
within 15 minutes of each other.
Wash your hands before obtaining a blood sample.
Never use your meter with blood that has been collected in a gray-
top test tube.
Use fresh capillary or venous blood only.
You may still have a variation from the result because blood glucose
or ß-ketone levels can change significantly over short periods of time,
especially if you have recently eaten, exercised, taken medication or
experienced stress*
2
. In addition, if you have eaten recently, the blood
glucose level from a finger prick can be up to 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
higher than blood drawn from a vein (venous sample) used for a lab
test*
3
. Therefore, it is best to fast for eight hours before doing
comparison tests. Factors such as the amount of red blood cells in the
blood (a high or low hematocrit) or the loss of body fluid (dehydration)
may also cause a meter result to be different from a laboratory result.
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