2 different meter readings

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KattyKay

KattyKay

Member Since 2017
Hello! I am not sure what to do when I get two different readings on my Alphatrak meter. The first reading that I got was 51. I thought that was weird considering he stays between 115-150ish. So, I pricked his other ear and did another reading and got 134. Should I have gotten a 3rd reading? This has happened to me twice! Thanks for your help and support!!
 
Was the first sample really small? I'd probably do a 3rd. Is your cat on insulin or in remission?
 
I would have done a 3rd test as well. The 51 may have been a wonky strip. Like Janet is saying, may have been enough to give a reading but still a smaller sample, which results in lower number too.:)
 
Yong said:
I would have done a 3rd test as well. The 51 may have been a wonky strip. Like Janet is saying, may have been enough to give a reading but still a smaller sample, which results in lower number too.:)
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I was wondering if it had to do with the sample size. Maybe I'm crazy, but one ear seems to bleed better than the other!
 
@JanetNJ & @Yong
Out of curiosity, why would a smaller sample give a lower reading?


I would have def done a 3rd sample too. Have had a few wonky readings and that's what I do.
 
The area just below the skin is the interstitial area. Since there is extra fluids in the interstitial area this could tend to "dilute" the glucose reading to a degree. Especially when people "milk" the poked area it will not always give a good capillary reading of the blood.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2903977/

I like to get a good blood drop from the original poke or if needed an additional poke.

ETA If you think when you "poke" a blister it gives out a clear fluid (interstitial fluid) as opposed to blood. A poke that does not get enough blood will tend to have more interstitial fluid which could "dilute" the BG reading
 
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Tuxedo Mom said:
The area just below the skin is the interstitial area. Since there is extra fluids in the interstitial area this could tend to "dilute" the glucose reading to a degree. Especially when people "milk" the poked area it will not always give a good capillary reading of the blood.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2903977/

I like to get a good blood drop from the original poke or if needed an additional poke.

ETA If you think when you "poke" a blister it gives out a clear fluid (interstitial fluid) as opposed to blood. A poke that does not get enough blood will tend to have more interstitial fluid which could "dilute" the BG reading
Click to expand...
Thank you for explaining it to me:)
 
Just for interest sake...the skin is the largest external organ in the body. It is not just a minor layer of skin over the body...it is actually considered an organ and has three separate layers to it...
 
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