Anyone have really varied AMPS tests within 20 mins?

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Randi & Effy

Randi & Effy

Member Since 2017
I just did Effy's AMPS and it was 134 on an alphatrak strip, I was happily surprised. Tested him again like 10 minutes later with a freestyle lite and it was 406. Confused, I immediately tested again on another alphatrak strip and that came out at 334. Wondering why the first one had come out so low? He didn't eat between any of these tests, he was asleep on my lap hence why I got to test three times in a row, lol. Needless to say i'm frustrated, but going to dose anyway I suppose if he's above 300 in the last two tests. Has this happened to anyone else? Really curious why and how this happened.
 
I have found with both the FS Lite and AT2 meter that a very small blood drop may give an incorrectly low reading. Very seldom have I had an error message of not enough blood, but occasionally will get a low reading that does not seem to fit the other readings. In that case I will do a retest to make check if the low reading was correct or not. Also if you are squeezing the blood drop rather than gently "milking" it, you can get extra interstitial fluid in the drop which can affect the reading. Anytime you get a reading that does not "fit" with the other readings it is a good idea to do a retest.

ETA Some information on interstitial fluid. Glucose measurment with continuos meters is done using the interstitual fluid but regular meters are designed differently.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/body/interstitial-fluid.html
 
Mary Ann gives some good tips.

Another possibility is just a bad strip on the first test. The second two are within the allowed 20% meter variance, even with the different strip types, so it's just that first one that was odd.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
I have found with both the FS Lite and AT2 meter that a very small blood drop may give an incorrectly low reading. Very seldom have I had an error message of not enough blood, but occasionally will get a low reading that does not seem to fit the other readings. In that case I will do a retest to make check if the low reading was correct or not. Also if you are squeezing the blood drop rather than gently "milking" it, you can get extra interstitial fluid in the drop which can affect the reading. Anytime you get a reading that does not "fit" with the other readings it is a good idea to do a retest.
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Wow thanks so much. I definitely did have to squeeze it a little more than usual, definitely did not milk it like I can usually. It was also a pretty small drop that first time too. That actually makes so much more sense, thanks again! Now I know!!
 
Nan & Amber said:
Mary Ann gives some good tips.

Another possibility is just a bad strip on the first test. The second two are within the allowed 20% meter variance, even with the different strip types, so it's just that first one that was odd.
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I think Mary Ann hit the nail right on the head with the small droplet theory. The first test was a pretty small amount of blood versus the last two tests. So glad I know this now! I've come across some scarily low numbers before and looking back on it those were the days I had to squeeze it out a little more/or got a reading with a small droplet! I always figured it was bad tests strips but wow, I am so glad I came on here to ask! I feel a lot more confident now lol
 
Randi & Effy said:
Wow thanks so much. I definitely did have to squeeze it a little more than usual, definitely did not milk it like I can usually. It was also a pretty small drop that first time too. That actually makes so much more sense, thanks again! Now I know!!
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Unfortunately there are so many factors, besides the allowable meter variance that can affect glucose readings. That is why any "surprise" number should be redone.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
Unfortunately there are so many factors, besides the allowable meter variance that can affect glucose readings. That is why any "surprise" number should be redone.
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Boy oh boy this is relieving and nerve wracking all at once. It wouldn't be so nerve wracking if he wasn't so against the blood tests in general. We have a good understanding of needing to test before each shot but that's because he's finally got the hang of knowing he gets to eat after those tests. But it is almost impossible to get a second test right after the very first one, hence why I took advantage of it this morning when he was sleeping on me and letting me do it over and over! That's also the reason my SS is so bare! :( We're working on getting used to nadir tests right now actually, lol
 
I feel like I can't thank you guys enough, lol!! I'm smiling so much right now despite the disappointment of him not actually being at 134 haha. I just love this website, I feel so much better whenever I come on here! I seriously learn so much :') I wish I could bake every single one of you a cake right now!
 
It does take some time for a kitty to settle into the testing/shooting routine. My first FD kitty was terrible when I started with him. He would howl and scream and I would cry. Once I settled myself down first and put on a "happy face" when doing the testing he settled as well. Having a routine and a retgular testing area also helped. My Tuxie was very food oriented so I always had some sort of treat after each test...and some days I did a lot of testing because of his erratic numbers. Over time he would come on his own when I told him it was time for a poley test and sometime he would sit and wait when it wasn't even time....food motivation worked very well with him. :) My girlie kitty is not food motivated at all but she completely loves her combing and brushing so that becomes her "treat" when I do testing.

ETA Also with both kitties I would sing the "pokey song" and have a constant banter of conversation with each one. Maxie still does not like the testing, so each time I take her to the test area she meows and I say something like "I know girlie...this is not fun for you. But we have to do this test to make sure that you stay safe. You are such a good girlie....etc" Not sure if she follows what I am saying, but it keeps her still until I am finished. :)
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
It does take some time for a kitty to settle into the testing/shooting routine. My first FD kitty was terrible when I started with him. He would howl and scream and I would cry. Once I settled myself down first and put on a "happy face" when doing the testing he settled as well. Having a routine and a retgular testing area also helped. My Tuxie was very food oriented so I always had some sort of treat after each test...and some days I did a lot of testing because of his erratic numbers. Over time he would come on his own when I told him it was time for a poley test and sometime he would sit and wait when it wasn't even time....food motivation worked very well with him. :) My girlie kitty is not food motivated at all but she completely loves her combing and brushing so that becomes her "treat" when I do testing.

ETA Also with both kitties I would sing the "pokey song" and have a constant banter of conversation with each one. Maxie still does not like the testing, so each time I take her to the test area she meows and I say something like "I know girlie...this is not fun for you. But we have to do this test to make sure that you stay safe. You are such a good girlie....etc" Not sure if she follows what I am saying, but it keeps her still until I am finished. :)
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Sounds exactly like us too! lol! I have to constantly talk to him and kiss him as I'm doing it. He's so insanely food orientated. Right now I'm working on giving him the freeze dried chicken treats after each test so hopefully when we start to do random tests or double tests he'll still know theres something waiting for him afterwards! My first few weeks starting insulin there were lots of tears and begging. I decided one day I was going to start conditioning him with some routine/treat type of schedule. I quickly realized I was going to have to trick him into this rather than just go in and hope for the best lol. We're finally at the point of having a designated testing spot, I sit on the couch and put a certain pillow on my lap and as soon as he sees me grab the pillow he jumps right up and sits on it and waits to get poked. So far so good, lol! We're almost a month in so I think i'm doing pretty good on the conditioning progress so far atleast. I just really wish he'd let me test in between shot times more. Most of the ones I've managed to get so far are when he's either asleep or just so chilled out that he doesn't bother fighting it. But I have to make sure I get a good poke in on the first try because there is no second chances with him, lol.
 
You are making great strides with establishing a stress free testing routine. After almost 2 years, Maxie goes the other way when she sees me getting set up to do a test lol. Since Effy is food-oriented you can find some low carb treat that he really likes and give him a tiny bit at the time of the testing and/or right after. I would use chicken pieces ( I cooked at home so there were no questionable spices like onion or garlic), roast (same thing as the chicken), a tiny bit of salmon or tuna, darn near anything worked with Tuxie..lol. As I said after a while he would go and sit on his testing mat and stare at me even if it was not time to test. He quickly learned that testing and food were very inter-connected.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
You are making great strides with establishing a stress free testing routine. After almost 2 years, Maxie goes the other way when she sees me getting set up to do a test lol. Since Effy is food-oriented you can find some low carb treat that he really likes and give him a tiny bit at the time of the testing and/or right after. I would use chicken pieces ( I cooked at home so there were no questionable spices like onion or garlic), roast (same thing as the chicken), a tiny bit of salmon or tuna, darn near anything worked with Tuxie..lol. As I said after a while he would go and sit on his testing mat and stare at me even if it was not time to test. He quickly learned that testing and food were very inter-connected.
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Thank you! I'm trying!! It helps that we had such a close relationship before he was diagnosed. He has zero tolerance for stressful situations so I pretty much let him think he's calling the shots. I've learned to wait to shoot until after he finds a napping spot after he eats, lol. If he's not laying down, I'm not getting that dang needle anywhere near him without him walking away. I'm using chicken treats right now to get him used to testing so I can start easing into random testing throughout the day. Tuxie and Effy sound a lot alike, lol. Hungry boys!
 
Randi & Effy said:
Boy oh boy this is relieving and nerve wracking all at once. It wouldn't be so nerve wracking if he wasn't so against the blood tests in general. We have a good understanding of needing to test before each shot but that's because he's finally got the hang of knowing he gets to eat after those tests. But it is almost impossible to get a second test right after the very first one, hence why I took advantage of it this morning when he was sleeping on me and letting me do it over and over! That's also the reason my SS is so bare! :( We're working on getting used to nadir tests right now actually, lol
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While Myagi is actually super chill about testing, he still doesn't enjoy it per se. My cheat is to always have 3 test strips ready and keep loving on him till I get my read. That way if the numbers weird, I still have cat, original blood drop on ear (or fresh poke if needed), and handy strip for read #2 and He doesn't even realize I took longer or two readings. ;)
 
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