Avoid False Readings With One Simple Habit

ByRuthie Guten

WASH YOUR HANDS

According to an article on everydayhealth.com, there is a surprising cause of blood sugar swings.

Forgetting to wash your hands before checking your blood sugar could result in false readings. If you test after handling food, the sugar residue remaining on your hands could affect the test result by contaminating the blood sample.

Researchers in the Netherlands asked participants in a study group to peel a banana or slice an apple before testing and 88 percent of those that handled the fruit had a blood sugar readings at least 10 percent higher than a reading taken after they washed their hands.

Blood glucose meters are extremely sensitive and the blood sample used is tiny, so any food residue on the finger that is pricked can result in an inaccurate reading.

Inaccurate readings could also result due to lotions or creams. If you can’t get to a sink to wash your hands prior to testing your blood glucose level, wipe away the first drop of blood and use the second drop to increase accuracy of the results.

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