{"id":4069,"date":"2019-10-04T18:09:08","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T12:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/?p=4069"},"modified":"2024-01-29T13:57:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T08:27:07","slug":"factors-affecting-the-blood-glucose-readings-for-diabetics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/factors-affecting-the-blood-glucose-readings-for-diabetics\/","title":{"rendered":"Factors Affecting the Blood Glucose Readings for Diabetics"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/factors-affecting-the-blood-glucose-readings-for-diabetics\/#5_Factors_That_Have_an_Impact_on_Blood_Glucose_Readings_for_Diabetics\" title=\"5 Factors That Have an Impact on Blood Glucose Readings for Diabetics\">5 Factors That Have an Impact on Blood Glucose Readings for Diabetics<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/factors-affecting-the-blood-glucose-readings-for-diabetics\/#Environmental_Conditions\" title=\"Environmental Conditions\">Environmental Conditions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/factors-affecting-the-blood-glucose-readings-for-diabetics\/#Substances_on_Your_Skin\" title=\"Substances on Your Skin\">Substances on Your Skin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/factors-affecting-the-blood-glucose-readings-for-diabetics\/#Amount_of_Blood\" title=\"Amount of Blood\">Amount of Blood<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/factors-affecting-the-blood-glucose-readings-for-diabetics\/#Meter_Issues\" title=\"Meter Issues\">Meter Issues<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/factors-affecting-the-blood-glucose-readings-for-diabetics\/#Test_Strips\" title=\"Test Strips\">Test Strips<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is it important to keep a check on your blood sugar levels? Monitoring blood glucose readings for diabetics is an integral part of standard diabetes care. Keeping your readings in check on a daily basis can help you stay energized, focused, and in a good mood. However, getting your blood glucose levels right can prove to be challenging at times. Just when you think you\u2019ve factored everything, high or low blood glucose readings can arrive out of nowhere and throw your confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/beatoapp.com\/\/lps\/inapp-beato-paid-coach-consult-web?id=2400330&#038;campaignid=2400330&#038;source=2400330&#038;utm_content=%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F4069\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Blog-banner-1.png\" class=\" wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Blog-banner-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Blog-banner-1-300x88.png 300w, https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Blog-banner-1-768x225.png 768w, https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Blog-banner-1-420x123.png 420w, https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Blog-banner-1-840x246.png 840w, https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Blog-banner-1-150x44.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you were recently diagnosed with diabetes or had been living with it for several years, you know how fickle blood sugar levels can be and how important it is that they stay controlled. Several factors can contribute to the fluctuation of a blood glucose reading in people with diabetes.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Factors_That_Have_an_Impact_on_Blood_Glucose_Readings_for_Diabetics\"><\/span><b>5 Factors That Have an Impact on Blood Glucose Readings for Diabetics<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"335\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/shutterstock_117695059.jpg\" alt=\"Blood glucose readings for diabetics\" class=\"wp-image-10097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/shutterstock_117695059.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/shutterstock_117695059-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/shutterstock_117695059-420x235.jpg 420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Environmental_Conditions\"><\/span><strong>Environmental Conditions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether it&#8217;s swelteringly hot or bitterly cold outside, extreme temperatures can interfere with diabetes management. Although this is an external factor and is beyond your control, necessary steps need to be taken to manage your numbers.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, Your body reacts differently at different temperatures. Low temperatures can affect circulation and lower blood flow to testing sites. On the other hand, high temperatures can make you dehydrated and concentrate glucose levels. So, always check your diabetes reading and keep your strips at room temperature.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Substances_on_Your_Skin\"><\/span><strong>Substances on Your Skin<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anything you touch or put on your skin that contains sugar can end up in your blood sample. and then on your test strip. Also, the presence of dirt or any other substance on the testing site of the skin can hamper the blood glucose reading, and you may experience a false alarm or inaccurate results.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Testing after handling food can produce a high reading because sugar residues on the skin can contaminate the blood sample. Therefore, it is always best to wash and dry your hands before taking your diabetes reading. Also, if you don&#8217;t dry your hands thoroughly, the water left on your fingers can dilute the sample.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Amount_of_Blood\"><\/span><strong>Amount of Blood<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to nicely washing your hands, make sure you follow the user instructions for your meter. Having too much or not having enough blood on the test strip sample area can significantly impact the accuracy of the blood sugar level, and your meter won&#8217;t always alert you to the problem or give you an error message.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, don&#8217;t forget to let the blood flow freely when conducting the test. Squeezing your finger can affect the results. So, apply gentle pressure to the pricked figure and touch a generous drop of blood on the strip. After adding the first drop, Do not add more blood to the test strip.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meter_Issues\"><\/span><strong>Meter Issues<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another common problem while monitoring your blood sugar levels is having meter issues. This issue could vary from improper coding or a dirty meter to an improperly inserted strip.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A meter requires coding, which means you&#8217;ll need to input a code printed on each test strip vial in order to test it before use. If the code doesn&#8217;t match correctly, it could lead to inaccurate readings.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The presence of dirt, dust and other contaminants on the glucose meter can also give an incorrect blood glucose reading. But this was a thing in old meters. You rarely get a false reading with new technology. Still, you must try not to let the meter get too dusty and clean your meter after every reading.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Test_Strips\"><\/span><strong>Test Strips<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The test strips that come with your glucometer have an expiration date written on the packaging. It is essential to throw out outdated and damaged strips. The expired strips should not be used as they can give incorrect results in most cases.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, you must store the strips for a blood glucose reading in a tightly sealed container that is away from heat and humidity. Another crucial thing to remember is to use strips specially designed for your glucometer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/shocking-facts-about-sugar-fluctuations\/\"><em>Shocking Facts About Sugar Fluctuations<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to keep track of your blood sugar levels with the help of an <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3p5Tc6j\">easy-to-use glucometer<\/a>. Regular blood sugar testing will expose patterns and help you and your healthcare team control your diabetes. Also, it is advisable to match your readings with a lab result once in a while to check for inaccuracies.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Download the <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3I5JWGF\">BeatO App<\/a> and stay updated with your diabetes-related queries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":6912,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[9,85],"class_list":["post-4069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diabetes-basics","tag-blood-sugar-level","tag-glucometer"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4069"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4069"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4069\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18758,"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4069\/revisions\/18758"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beatoapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}