Inaccurate blood glucose levels: Reasons behind their occurrence
In the management of blood sugar levels, two common methods are utilised: blood glucose meters and continuous glucose monitoring devices (GCMs). However, it's essential to use the correct test strips for a specific meter to avoid false readings.
Each sensor in a GCM lasts for a varying duration, depending on the individual and the GCM model. These devices measure blood sugar levels every few minutes, offering a more continuous and detailed understanding of one's glucose levels.
Maintaining a health-promoting lifestyle can significantly help in stabilising blood sugar levels over time. This includes eating at regular and consistent intervals, avoiding processed foods, avoiding drinks high in sugar, reducing alcohol intake, eating plenty of whole foods, prioritising exercise, maintaining a moderate weight, avoiding smoking, and ensuring that testing equipment is in good working order to avoid false high blood sugar readings.
The differences between diabetes and non-diabetes conditions regarding blood sugar levels are significant. In non-diabetic (normal) individuals, fasting blood sugar levels typically range between 70–99 mg/dL, and post-meal levels are usually less than 140 mg/dL. In contrast, diabetics have chronically elevated levels, with fasting glucose generally 126 mg/dL or higher on repeated testing, and post-meal levels often above 200 mg/dL. Prediabetes falls between these two, with fasting blood glucose from 100 to 125 mg/dL and post-meal levels from 140 to 199 mg/dL.
Non-diabetic hyperglycemia refers to elevated blood sugar without diabetes, which can occur temporarily or due to other conditions. A1C levels, which reflect average blood glucose over about 3 months, are normally under 5.7% in non-diabetics. Higher A1C values indicate poor glucose control and risk for diabetes but can sometimes be elevated for reasons unrelated to diabetes.
Taking steroids typically elevates blood sugar within 4 to 8 hours. Active individuals can experience lower blood sugar levels after exercise, which can persist for a day or longer. Certain factors such as a damaged test strip, dirty glucose meter, unwashed hands, or faulty batteries can cause false high blood sugar readings.
Artificial sweeteners, caffeine, sunburn, insufficient sleep, missing breakfast, dehydration, the "dawn phenomenon" (hormone surge in the early morning), gum disease, and certain medications can also elevate blood sugar. Other factors that may influence the results of a blood sugar test include temperature, high altitudes, high levels of acetaminophen in the blood, improper storage of testing equipment, and more.
Blood glucose tests can help track the amount of sugar present in the bloodstream, providing valuable insights for managing blood sugar levels effectively. For those with type 1 diabetes, it's worth noting that elevated blood sugar levels may occur between 3 and 5 days before their period.
- The continuous glucose monitoring devices (GCMs) used in managing chronic diseases like diabetes, such as type 2 diabetes, measure glucose levels every few minutes, offering a more continuous and detailed understanding of one's glucose levels.
- A health-promoting lifestyle, including regular and consistent eating, fitness and exercise, avoiding processed foods and drinks high in sugar, reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a moderate weight, avoiding smoking, and ensuring that testing equipment is in good working order, can significantly help in stabilizing blood sugar levels.
- In individuals with diabetes, such as type 2 diabetes, fasting glucose levels are generally 126 mg/dL or higher on repeated testing, and post-meal levels often exceed 200 mg/dL, whereas, in non-diabetic individuals, fasting and post-meal blood glucose levels are typically within a lower range.
- Chronic conditions like diabetes and chronic kidney disease often go hand in hand, making it important to monitor blood glucose levels regularly to promote health and wellness.
- Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in managing blood sugar levels effectively, and factors such as dehydration, temperature fluctuations, improper storage of testing equipment, and certain medications can impact the accuracy of blood glucose tests.
