Different side of ear - Different results?

[Susan & Andy]

The few times I have home tested on the inside of the ear, it seems like I get uncharacteristically lower readings than when the blood comes from the outside of the ear. I hate to stick him more than necessary, so I didn't stick him on the outside for comparison. Has anyone else ever noticed that?
I just got 392 on the inside of the ear, and 475 on the outside of the ear. I used the same ear.

 

[Kaylie]

I've used both the inside and the outside of the ear, but have never thought of them possibly giving different results. Are you sure you had enough blood on the strip? Was either reading close to what you were expecting to get?

 

[Susan & Andy]

I guess I don't know if there was enough blood on the strip or not. I just hold the strip to the spot of blood until the meter beeps. The outer ear was higher, and more along the lines of what I had been getting - I had been using the outer ear. I put the incident above on Andy's SS. I didn't put the other one because I just wasn't sure what was happening. The first time I had been getting 300s and 400s, then got a reading less than 200 when I used the inside of the ear.

 

[Kaylie]

That is so wild! I was hoping someone with more experience would respond. Once mine is a little more healed from his dental I'll do both and see what if I get a different reading. Right now he's a little elevated from stress and such.

 

[Erin & Scott]

I can't imagine why it would make a difference; it's the same blood, regardless of which side of the ear it comes from. Sounds like the meter might be a little wonky; you might try it on yourself and see if you get consistent results.

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

The few times I have home tested on the inside of the ear, it seems like I get uncharacteristically lower readings than when the blood comes from the outside of the ear. I hate to stick him more than necessary, so I didn't stick him on the outside for comparison. Has anyone else ever noticed that?
I just got 392 on the inside of the ear, and 475 on the outside of the ear. I used the same ear.

Don't worry about it. It's to be expected. The 392 and 475 are virtually the same number when you consider they're so close to the 20% variance allowed on meters in the US.

20% of 392 = 78.4
392 + 78.4 = 470.4

20% x 475 = 95
475 - 95 = 380

Obviously, the difference will be quite large at numbers as high as these. Conversely, the differences would be much closer at low numbers... and those are the numbers to be concerned with.