[Nj-diabetes-division] [Diabetes-talk] Inconsistent Readings with the Prodigy

[Vincent Chaney]

Lucy,

May I offer an answer to your question from the details you have provided.
With all blood glucose meters, the first step to testing is to wash your 
hands in warm water. You are not supposed to use hot water. *If you do not 
wash your hands, you may get false readings higher than your true blood 
glucose level. If you have hand cream on, have touched food, glue or 
anything chemically that could elevate your level, your result would be off 
and likely high. You mentioned your client has been blind for six months but 
not how long a diabetic. If she is able to recognize a low-sugar episode and 
does not have hypoglycemic unawareness, you need to believe in the tingles, 
muscle twitching or sweating you may have if you may not have remembered to 
wash or able to properly think in the testing due to your sugar level. This 
would not be due to the accuracy from the meters.
If I can offer an example of not washing my hands prior to a test...
Once at work I got a reading in the mid 300s, but did not feel like I was 
high. I was actually a little puzzled and thought through what may have 
caused my reading. With no true cause, I was thinking while I began to sip 
my morning coffee. Hmm, did I touch something? I went to the rest-room and 
returned to my desk to find my sugar at 150. I then realized I had gotten 
milk on my finger tips when I was getting my coffee. This was one of many 
examples I have found to give high levels when testing.

Vinny
Vincent Chaney Jr
NFB Diabetes Action Network (DAN) Board of Directors
NFBNJ Diabetes Division President
NJAGDU (NFBNJ Association of Guide Dog Users) Division President
NFBNJ Technology Division Vice President
NFBNJ Resolutions Committee Member
NFBNJ.ORG Webmaster
Mail: vgc732 at optonline.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lucy.Alexander Mercer" <Lucy.Alexander.Mercer at tn.gov>
To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 3:22 PM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Inconsistent Readings with the Prodigy


Hi, list!  I work as a Rehabilitation Instructor and from time to time 
purchase talking glucometers for clients.  Our agency policy is that 
Instructors do not teach clients how to use these devices but ask that home 
health or nurses or other med professionals provide that type of 
instruction.  I also do not have diabetes; thus, although I have some 
appreciation for the effort needed to manage diabetes, I cannot sympathize 
and am still in the learning process.
Recently, I met a lady 70+ years-old who has lost her vision during the past 
six months due to episodes of extremely low blood sugar.  She got a reading 
of 70 with the Prodigy when the actual reading was 25.  She ended up 
hospitalized in a coma and is now scared the Prodigy is not accurate and 
will not use it.  How often do meters give incorrect readings?  Has anyone 
had this issue with the Prodigy?  what can be done to minimize such events? 
I would really like to be able to offer her some genuine assurance that the 
Prodigy or other accessible glucometer will provide accurate info on a 
consistent basis.

Thanks,
Lucy



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