Lifescan OneTouch Ultra Owner's Booklet page 21

COMPAR-
ING METER
AND
LABORA-
TORY
RESULTS
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ONE TOUCH ® Ultra Meter test results and
laboratory test results are both expressed
in plasma-equivalent units. However, the
result you obtain from your meter may
differ somewhat from your laboratory
result due to normal variation. Meter
results can be affected by factors and
conditions that do not affect laboratory
results in the same way. (See ONE TOUCH
Ultra Test Strip package insert for typical
accuracy and precision data, and for
important information on Limitations.) To
make an accurate comparison between
meter and laboratory results, follow the
guidelines below.
Before you go to the lab:
N
Perform a control solution test to make
sure the meter is working properly.
N
It is best to fast for at least eight hours
before doing comparison tests.
N
Take your meter with you to the lab.
While at the lab:
N
Make sure that the samples for both
tests (the meter test and the lab test)
are taken and tested within 15 minutes
of each other.
N
Wash your hands before obtaining a
blood sample.
N
Never use your meter with blood
that has been collected in a gray-top
test tube.
N
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.
have eaten recently, the blood glucose
level from a fingerstick can be up to
70 mg/dL higher than blood drawn
from a vein (venous sample) used for
a lab test. 2 Therefore, it is best to fast
for eight hours before doing compari-
son 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 meter result to be different
from a laboratory result.
References
1. Surwit, R.S., and Feinglos, M.N.: Diabetes
Forecast (1988), April, 49 – 51.
2. Sacks, D.B.: "Carbohydrates." Burtis, C.A.,
and Ashwood, E.R. (ed.), Tietz Textbook of
Clinical Chemistry. Philadelphia: W.B.
Saunders Company (1994), 959.
1 In addition, if you
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