35
Comparing Monitor and Laboratory Results
The monitor provides you with whole blood equivalent results.
The result you obtain from your monitor may differ somewhat
from your laboratory result due to normal variation. Monitor re-
sults can be affected by factors and conditions that do not affect
laboratory results in the same way (See test strip package insert
for typical accuracy and precision data and for important informa-
tion on limitations). To make an accurate comparison between
monitor and laboratory results, follow the guidelines below.
Before you go to the lab:
Perform a control solution test to make sure that the monitor
•
is working properly.
It is best to fast for at least eight hours before doing compari-•
son tests.
Take your monitor with you to the lab. •
While at the lab:
Make sure that the samples for both tests (the monitor test and
the lab test are taken and tested within 15 minutes of each other).
Wash your hands before obtaining a blood sample. •
Never use your monitor with blood that has been collected in
•
a gray-top test tube.
Use fresh capillary blood only. •
You may still have a variation from the result because blood glucose
levels can change significantly over short periods, especially if you have
recently eaten, exercised, taken medication, or experienced stress*
4
. In
addition, if you have eaten recently, the blood glucose level from a finger
stick 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*
5
.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
(severe dehydration) may also cause a
monitor result to be different from a laboratory result.
To Next Page
Loading...
