Critical Aspects Affecting Calibration
Two-compartment model describing the blood glucose to interstitial glucose kinetics. Ra is the rate of appearance k01, k02, k12, k21 are rate constants. The time constant of the BG-to-IG system is k 12 . Representative blood glucose and interstitial glucose concentration profiles simulated as described in the text assuming = 11 min.
A second critical aspect behind the differences pointed out in Figure 2 is related to the time variability of sensor sensitivity. The raw electrical current signals acquired by CGM sensors often exhibit a nonphysiological drift, especially in the first day after sensor insertion. An example of nonphysiological drift observed in a raw CGM signal acquired by the Dexcom G4 Platinum CGM sensor is depicted in Figure 4, where the continuous line represents the electrical current signal and the dashed line shows the drift. This phenomenon is related to a variation of sensor sensitivity after its insertion in the body, when the sensor membrane enters in contact with the biological environment and undergoes the immune system reaction . The calibration law has to properly compensate for such time-variability, which is often non-linear.
Representative raw CGM sensor signal that exhibits a nonphysiological drift due to the time-variability of sensor sensitivity. Data were previously published in .
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
What Is An Accurate Glucose Meter Measurement
Blood glucose meter accuracy does not mean that it will show your exact blood glucose measurement or give the same reading if you test multiple times. Instead, meter accuracy is determined by how well it corresponds with lab results that are drawn in tandem with your blood glucose meter measurement. According to the FDA, accurate glucose meters provide results that are within ±15% of the lab 95% of the time. This means if your lab test results show a blood glucose value of 170, your glucose meter reading must fall between 145 and 195 to be considered within the window of accuracy.
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How To Calibrate A Blood Glucose Monitor
Blood glucose monitors or glucometers are devices individuals with diabetes use to monitor their blood sugar levels daily. Glucometers give readings within five seconds of applying the test strip to a blood sample. For accurate readings, it is important to calibrate the blood glucose meter 1. Calibrating a meter is making sure the meter has the correct code to match the test strip. Some meters code automatically. Others, you must code or calibrate manually 1.
Types Of Glucometers And How To Choose The Best One
If you’re in the market for a glucometer , you’ve got choicesand lots of them. Aside from the two main types of glucometersbasic/standard and continuous monitoringthere are dozens of brands and models, each with a variety of features.
Certain glucometers may suit your needs better than others. For example, one may be more advantageous if you use insulin. But whatever you use, regular glucose testing can greatly reduce the risk of developing long-term complications of the disease.
Read on to learn more about the various types of monitors, how they work, and how to choose a glucometer so you can make an informed decision about which one to buy.
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Testing Your Test Strips
Test strips have a plastic or paper base with very thin metal or carbon overlay and an enzyme. The blood or control solution runs up the strip and mixes with the enzyme. The meter then passes a small electrical charge through the mixture. The resistance is what determines your reading. Meters are calibrated during manufacturing to equate a blood glucose result equivalent to the level of resistance that would occur in blood with that much glucose present.
The enzyme on the strip is very sensitive to heat, cold, moisture and direct sunlight. Performing a test and comparing your control solution result to the range on the side of a newly opened container of test strips tells you whether the batch will work correctly. Statistical analysis has shown that if one strip from a bottle is good then all the strips are good, and conversely, if one is bad then they’re likely all bad. So, if your test strips were damaged by environmental factors during shipping, you will know instantly that results will be inaccurate and you need a new batch. You should perform a control test the first time you open a new vial of strips and whenever you get a result that doesn’t seem right. If you get a result that’s outside the range, perform another control test right away.
Note: If you get your test strips from Diathrive and find the control solution test shows your strips are not reading accurately, contact Diathrive Customer Service so we can help troubleshoot or replace your faulty test strips.
How Do I Calibrate The Glucose Meter
Use the standard or control solution that is usually provided with the meter. The control solutions I have seen are in the form of a little bottle and the fluid is red and looks like blood. Your test strips will have some instructions telling what reading you should get with the control. The numbers will be in a range, like 115 mg/dL and 145 mg/dL and this range reflects the fact that the test strips only give a range of answers. A meter only has to show the glucose reading with in a 20% accuracy, they can be 20% high or 20% low and still meet the standards for testing glucose. If you did not get a bottle of control or standard solution with your meter you can purchase a pair of bottles either on-line or in a drugstore . I do not know why, but the standard solution is usually sold in pairs. Then you set your meter to control solution and put a small drop of the solution to the end of the test strip, exactly as you do with a drop of blood. Many meters can not be calibrated, what the control solution tells you is that your meter is working correctly, or it is not working correctly. The meter pamphlets I have seen suggest the a meter should be replaced every two years or when it reads incorrectly with your test strips and the control solution.Continue reading > >
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How Do You Know If Your Current Glucose Meter Is Accurate
One of the most common concerns people with diabetes have is how to know if their glucose meter is accurate.
Analyzing your devices results against a controlled reading is the only way to evaluate the accuracy of your glucose meter. This can be done in two ways:
If for any reason your meter isnt giving accurate measurements after testing, its best to either contact the manufacturer to troubleshoot the device or try a new glucose meter.
Basic Blood Glucose Meters
At its simplest, a glucometer is a hand-held instrument with a digital screen that’s used with disposable test strips treated with chemicals that react to glucose.
Some glucose meters come with a lancing device. This instrument uses a spring-loaded needle to obtain a blood sample by creating a tiny puncture in the skin. Lancing devices and lancets can be purchased separately, and the size of the lancet can be adjusted depending on personal comfort.
To get a blood glucose measurement, a person draws a blood sample and carefully touches it to a test strip that’s been inserted into the device. The test strip absorbs the blood, and then an electronic circuit detects the glucose on the strip, displaying it as a number on the screen, usually within seconds.
Most meters run on batteries and have at least a minimal amount of memory for storing results. With very few exceptions, most also have the capability to download and store results to a computer.
But there are other features to consider, such as:
Keeping a log of your glucose meter readings can give you and your healthcare provider an overall picture of how your body responds to certain foods, exercise, medicine, and other factors.
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How To Choose A Glucose Meter
With so many meter options to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to turn. Your glucose monitoring device needs to fit your lifestyle and your specific testing needs. Always work with a diabetes educator before selecting a meter for self-monitoring your blood glucose.
If your monitor isnt working correctly or isnt suited to your testing needs, ask your diabetes educator or doctor about choosing a new glucose monitoring tool.
Here are some standard features to compare when looking for a new glucose meter:
- Speed of testing
- Cost and type of test strips
- Cost of the meter
- Spoken instructions and other accessibility features
All the latest meters focus on one or more of these features. If youre not happy with one of these aspects of your current meter, ask about upgrading to one that is more convenient, affordable, or practical for your lifestyle.
Find out how to calibrate your specific meter. One of the most common troubleshooting issues with a continuous monitoring glucose meter is improper calibration. Over time, your device may not be accurately reading your blood glucose levels. Talk to your diabetes educator and follow these instructions to increase the accuracy and convenience of your readings.
Glucometer Control Log Sheet Template: Pdf
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When Should I Replace My Blood Glucose Meter
Replace your blood glucose meter for diabetes every one to two years. That’s how long a typical glucose monitor will last if you’re diligent about proper maintenancelike cleaning the lens, keeping batteries fresh and using the “check strip” with each new container of diabetic test strips. If an unusually high or low blood sugar result occurs, retest to verify the result when the blood glucose meter stops being 100 percent reliable, check with your health insurance company about replacing it. When you do get a new glucose machine, keep the old one as a backup unless the doctor treating your diabetes feels it has become too unreliable. By Joyce A. Generali, M.S. FASHP, R.Ph., director of the University of Kansas Drug Information Center and the author of The Pharmacy Technicians Pocket Drug Reference From our sister publication, Diabetes Focus, Summer 2011Continue reading > >
Glucose Control Solution: What Is It
Glucose control solution is a liquid that combines water, glucose, and two key elements called buffers and microbicides.
The point of creating a glucose control solution is to help you check that your test strips and blood glucose meter are functioning correctly.
Glucose control solution is designed to mimic the physiological environment of your blood, and contains a known glucose concentration.
Testing your blood glucose meter using this solution helps your ensure that your devices are calibrated properly to give you accurate data.
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How Do You Know If Your Glucose Meter Is Accurate
All content on this website is for educational purposes only and does not replace the guidance of your healthcare practitioner. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Checking your blood sugar levels routinely with a blood glucose meter is one of the most crucial aspects of managing diabetes. Its the easiest way to detect and monitor trends in glucose levels, and it gives you and your physician vital information to help adjust your treatment plan and diet recommendations. To perform this valuable function, its important that your glucose meter displays accurate results. But how do you know if your glucose meter is accurate?
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How To View Your Meter Memory
- Hold down the button on the front of your meter to turn it on.
- Once you see the clear screen, press the button twice to bring up your past readings.
- Use the bottom button on the left side of the meter to scroll through your readings. Youâll notice the date and times are changing as you do so, reflecting when the reading was stored.
- You will see âGLUâ displayed for any glucose readings and âKETâ for ketone readings.
- You will also see the letters âMEMâ on the meter screen to indicate that you are scrolling through the meterâs memory.
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What Is Control Solution For A Glucose Meter
Glucose control solution is a liquid made up of water, glucose, buffers, and microbicides. These ingredients are vital to creating a solution with the following properties:
- Has a concentration of glucose that can be used to test the functionality of your meter and test strips.
- Has a pH level that is close to the physiological value of human blood.
- Prevents the growth of micro bacteria that would otherwise alter the glucose concentration.
Your blood glucose monitoring system can detect the amount of glucose present in control solution in a similar way to how it detects the amount of glucose present in blood. A glucose control solution reading on your meter appears as a numerical value. This value should fall within the target range printed on the test strip vial, which is based on the concentration of glucose in the control solution.
Manufacturers often have a few options of control solution that are compatible with each brand of test strips. The different options, or levels Level 1, Level 2, or Level 4 for example have glucose ranges that are different from one another, typically corresponding with low, normal, or high glucose concentrations. Your test strip vial should show the target range for each different level of control solution. Be sure to identify the correct range that corresponds to the type of control solution you have.
When To Use Control Solution
Although it is recommended to use control solution weekly, there other times it is a good idea to use it.
- When test results do not match how you feel
- When the meter is new
- When your meter has been dropped or potentially damaged
- When test strips have been exposed to extreme temperatures or humidity
- When multiple tests in a row do not match
- When your meter has been cleaned or repaired
- When your health care specialist recommends a glucose meter calibration
- When using new test strips
- When test strips have been exposed to air for prolonged periods of time
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