2 different meter readings

Hello! I am not sure what to do when I get two different readings on my Alphatrak meter. The first reading that I got was 51. I thought that was weird considering he stays between 115-150ish. So, I pricked his other ear and did another reading and got 134. Should I have gotten a 3rd reading? This has happened to me twice! Thanks for your help and support!!

 

Was the first sample really small? I'd probably do a 3rd. Is your cat on insulin or in remission?

 

I would have done a 3rd test as well. The 51 may have been a wonky strip. Like Janet is saying, may have been enough to give a reading but still a smaller sample, which results in lower number too.

 

He's on Lantis. And yes the 1st sample was small.

 

I was wondering if it had to do with the sample size. Maybe I'm crazy, but one ear seems to bleed better than the other!

 

Not at all! Other members have made similar observations so they have a preferred ear

 

@JanetNJ & @Yong
Out of curiosity, why would a smaller sample give a lower reading?


I would have def done a 3rd sample too. Have had a few wonky readings and that's what I do.

 

It's just something I observed... A few times I had a sample that I thought was too small and when I read it it was low.

 

The area just below the skin is the interstitial area. Since there is extra fluids in the interstitial area this could tend to "dilute" the glucose reading to a degree. Especially when people "milk" the poked area it will not always give a good capillary reading of the blood.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2903977/

I like to get a good blood drop from the original poke or if needed an additional poke.

ETA If you think when you "poke" a blister it gives out a clear fluid (interstitial fluid) as opposed to blood. A poke that does not get enough blood will tend to have more interstitial fluid which could "dilute" the BG reading

 

Thank you for explaining it to me

 

Just for interest sake...the skin is the largest external organ in the body. It is not just a minor layer of skin over the body...it is actually considered an organ and has three separate layers to it...

 

Yes Tuxedo Mom gave better explanation that mine was going to be. Diluted is much easier