3 common mistakes that can mess with blood sugar readings, and how to avoid them

Keeping an eye on the blood sugar levels is one of the most important parts in managing diabetes. It helps guide the medication, assists one with meal planning and daily habits. Yet, a single small procedural mistake can deliver deceptive results, either a reading that is too high or too low, might lead to unnecessary medication changes, or worse, help conceal a real problem at hand.

With all the digital glucometers now, human error still plays a big role, and to prevent that, here are three mistakes that can quietly mess with your readings.Registered dietitian Diana Licalzi shares 3 tips that one should avoid before checking the blood sugar levels.

Testing with old and outdated strips

Test strips are not mere paper strips. They are enzyme-coated—typically glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase, with which the glucose in the blood specimen reacts chemically, in turn this chemical reaction creates an electrical signal that is read by the glucometer as a numeric value.

When strips become old, outdated, or improperly stored, these enzymes break down.Moisture, heat, and exposure to direct sunlight also degrade the reactive surface of the strip. After this is done, the chemical reaction goes unstable and takes readings that may greatly vary from the real blood glucose level. For a person taking insulin or oral medicine, these kinds of errors may be very costly. Always check the vial for the expiration date and keep strips under a cool, dry environment with the cover tightly sealed.

Never move strips to another container, and throw away any that show signs of discoloration or warping.

Pressing too hard against the strip to get blood

Another common error that most people make is putting too much pressure on the fingertip once pricked. Most individuals squeeze or press the spot to get a bigger drop of blood, but this pressure forces tissue (interstitial) fluid to the surface as well as blood. The tissue fluid makes the sample glucose concentration falsely low by diluting it.To prevent this, warm the hands first, rubbing them together or submerging them in warm water will get circulation flowing. Pierce the side of the fingertip, not the pad; this area will bleed more readily with less pressure. Allow the blood to develop naturally, and if need be, massage the finger gently from the base toward the tip rather than squeezing it directly at the puncture site.

Testing blood sugar with unwashed hands

The most commonly ignored error is probably not washing hands prior to testing.

Food residue, kitchen spices, body lotions or creams on the skin can drastically change the readings.For instance, coming into contact with fruit, candy, or even a surface with residual sugar particles can deposit sufficient residue to inaccurately raise readings. Likewise, alcohol wipes or sanitizers can contain chemicals that interfere with the chemical reaction on the strip.Best practice is to wash hands extensively with soap and warm water and dry them thoroughly before pricking the finger. Any dampness or sweating can impact readings, and drying is equally as important as washing. If it is not possible to wash, wipe away the initial drop of blood and test using the second drop to reduce the risk of contamination.While checking blood sugar might feel like a routine task, it is easy to overlook small details, that can actually make a big difference. All these practices just take a few seconds, and one could have more accurate results.