You’re Not Hydrated Enough
If your body doesn’t have enough water, your blood sugar gets more concentrated. This can throw off your glucose level reading. Stay hydrated: Be sure you’ve drunk plenty of water, especially if you’ve been out in the heat, exercised too hard, or had caffeine.
You Buy the Wrong Meter
Vet your meter before you take it home. Weigh these factors:
- What your insurance covers
- How much it costs you out of pocket
- How easy it is to use
- Extras (such as large buttons, a lighted screen, audio, or auto-tracking of your results)
- How much tech support the maker offers
You Miscode Your Meter
Your meter might require you to put in a code that connects the strip’s electrical signal with your blood glucose reading. You don’t have to do it often, but many people have trouble with this step. If you feel that having to code might put you off testing as you should, think about getting a newer meter that doesn’t need it.
You Don’t Log Your Results
Some devices track your results for you. If yours doesn’t, it’s easy to find a printable log or one you can carry along with you. When you finish your blood sugar test, jot down the results and note what things might have affected your numbers. This tool helps your health care provider know how your treatment plan is working.