The factors affecting blood sugar reading accuracy

 1 - User - Related Factors :

• Hand hygiene : Food residue, lotions, or unclean hands can interfere with readings.
• Blood Sample Quality : Insufficient sample size or squeezing the finger too hard can dilute the blood.
• Improper Testing Timing : Testing right after eating or exercising may not reflect accurate fasting or baseline levels.
• Meter Calibration : Some meters require coding; incorrect calibration can lead to errors.

2 - Equipment - Related Factors :

• Test Strips : Expired, damaged, or improperly stored strips (exposure to heat, cold, or humidity) can give faulty readings.
• Meter issues : Malfunctioning devices, low battery power, or incompatible test strips may result in inaccuracies.

3 - Physiological Factors : 

• Dehydration : Concentrated blood glucose due to lack of water can result in high readings.
• Circulation Problems : Cold fingers or poor blood flow may affect sample quality.
• Substances in Blood : Medications like acetaminophen, vitamin C, or salicylates, and conditions like high triglycerides or anemia can skew results.

4 - Environmental Factors :

• Temperature Extremes : High or low temperatures can affect both the meter and test strips.
• Altitude : Testing at high altitudes can alter results for some meters.

5 - Lifestyle Factors :

• Recent Eating : Testing too soon after meals may reflect food glucose rather than baseline levels.
• Alcohol Consumption : Alcohol can affect glucose levels unpredictably.
• Exercise : Physical activity can temporarily increase or decrease blood sugar levels.

Ensuring proper testing technique, maintaining equipment, and considering these factors can help improve reading accuracy.