All Blood Tests

False positive pregnancy test basically means HCG was detected in the urine. HCG is present in the placenta when the embryo is attached to the uterus. False pregnancy is rear by do occur. If you have done the home pregnancy test and result shows positive, we blindly accept it, after all pregnancy tests are supposed to be 99% accurate. However there are several reasons sighted about why a home pregnancy test could be misguiding.

The chances of inaccuracy rises up when the guidelines mentioned in the kit is not followed and also when the result is not read in the stipulated time. Keep a track of the time, since you will not realize how time flies when one is anxious and impatient. Double checking the result could also give you false positive pregnancy test. This possibly is the main cause of inaccurate tests. So adhere to the instructions mentioned on the kit.

If urine is contaminated with protein or medicine like phenothiczune it could interfere with the results leading to wrong results. The pregnancy tests are accurate sometimes while on the other hand it is also possible that the tests may not be accurate. There are many reasons behind this fact which we will discuss here.

When the strip changes color, the result is said to be positive, but if manipulated it could also give inaccurate results. Evaporation lines start appearing after 3-5 minutes. Reading after the stipulated time could result in inaccuracy.

If your pregnancy test result is positive consult your doctor immediately, sometimes certain types of cancer like chorocarcinama, ovarian, breast cancer can cause increase in the level of HCG, thus leading to false positive pregnancy test.

Using pregnancy kit which has crossed the expiry date could give you false indications. Always check the best before date before you proceed.

A woman who has been undergoing treatment for infertility and was given HCG injection will test positive too. The container where urine needs to be collected should be free of detergent or soap deposits; this could result in false positive pregnancy test.

Thus there are many chances of false positive pregnancy test results. The results are only due to certain chemical reactions. The presence or absence of proteins in the urine or blood may cause the pregnancy test strips to change color. Thus even if your pregnancy test is positive, it is very much possible that you are not pregnant. The best way to go about it is that when you feel that you are pregnant, you must go and see a doctor about it. Ask for the doctor’s advice with regard to your eating habits and rest while you are pregnant. This will keep you as well as your baby safe from any mishap.

How many times have you gone for your annual medical appointment and the doctor discussed your measures? How many times did you remember the numbers but not remember what they meant? I am referring to the measures of blood pressure and cholesterol. These combined are a fairly good predictor of heart health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. representing 29 percent of the population and is the leading cause of disability.

Blood pressure consists of two readings the top number and the bottom number. The top number is called systolic pressure, defined as the pressure of blood in the arteries as the heart contracts to pump blood. The bottom number is called diastolic pressure, defined as the pressure of blood in the arteries that occurs when your heart is at rest between heartbeats.

The measures have been lowered for pre-high blood pressure and now range 120-139 systolic and 80-89 diastolic. Many people have no symptoms of high blood pressure and are not aware they have the condition. Blood pressure monitors are available for purchase at drug stores and in most pharmacy areas. If you suspect you have high blood pressure it is a good idea to talk to your doctor. Daily monitoring is a good way to monitor blood pressure whether you are taking medication or not.

Cholesterol is the other measure with two numbers. Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced in the liver and existing in certain foods. When there is too much cholesterol in the body, it settles in the arteries causing clogging and narrowing. We often hear about good and bad cholesterol. The good cholesterol measure is HDL (high density lipoprotein). The bad cholesterol measure is LDL (low density lipoprotein). The suggested appropriate level for total cholesterol is 200. LDL should be less than 100 and HDL should be 40 or higher. Many times cholesterol can be controlled by diet and exercise.

Ask your physician for the lab report that shows your blood test results and ask questions. Keep a copy at home to compare to subsequent lab reports to monitor your progress year to year. Blood pressure and cholesterol are four good measures to know in monitoring your ongoing health and wellness. It is important that we all become more educated about our own health so that we can become better consumer advocates for ourselves and our family members.

It was reportedly discovered by a Chinese emperor some 40 centuries ago. And, legend has it, the discovery was purely by accident. But that coincidental discovery has improved the health of people around the world, who have turned to green tea in particular to help soothe their pains, improve their digestion, alleviate their depression, boost their immune system, and perhaps even lengthen their lives. But what is it that makes green tea so beneficial to human health?

The Ingredients of Success

Green tea is actually made up of a variety of ingredients. These include caffeine, vitamins, minerals, and oils. However, the most important ingredients are the polyphenols, especially one called EGCG, which is believed to improve health. In fact, it is the polyphenols which make green tea so much more effective than other beverages in fighting disease and illness.

Green Tea and Cholesterol

There have been some intriguing studies indicating that green tea can be effective in the fight against high cholesterol. Specifically, the beverage reduces “bad” cholesterol and boosts “good” cholesterol, improving an individual’s overall cholesterol profile.

In addition, green tea appears to lower overall cholesterol levels, helping to reduce one’s risk of developing heart disease. Similarly, green tea enhances cardiovascular health by improving the consistency of platelets in the blood.

Researchers have also found that green tea appears to protect against oxygen-induced damage to bad cholesterol. Drinking green tea also seems to enhance antioxidant processes in the bloodstream.

Effect of Green Tea on Blood Fats

In recent years, much attention has been focused on blood fats and the effects of diet and exercise on their consistency. In an interesting study conducted at the Department of Public Health at the National Defense Medical College in Saitama, Japan, researchers S. Kono, K. Shinchi, N. Ikeda, F. Yanai, and K. Imanishi investigated the impact of green tea consumption on blood fats, also known as serum lipids.

The study was published in an article entitled, “Tea Consumption and Serum Lipid Profiles: a Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Kyushu, Japan.”

Specifically, the researchers examined the correlation between green tea use and the serum lipid concentrations of more than 1300 men who underwent retirement health exams at the Self-Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital between 1986 and 1988.

The researchers factored out variables such as alcohol use, use of tobacco, exercise levels, body mass index, and rank. They then discovered that the more green tea a patient drank, the lower his serum cholesterol levels. Men who drank nine or more cups of tea each day had total cholesterol levels that were eight mg/dl lower than those who drank two or fewer cups a day.

The serum cholesterol levels seemed to also decrease for men who ate a great deal of rice and soy beans, and increase for those who ate more Western foods. However, adjusting for these additional diet variables did not seem to affect the correlation between green tea use and total cholesterol levels.

Additional Evidence from the Animal Kingdom

It’s been said that there is a definite link between diet and exercise and coronary heart disease. Therefore, anything in the diet that improves serum lipid profiles should reduce the incidence of heart problems. It’s also known that green tea contains phytochemicals that work to decrease serum cholesterol as well as triglycerides.

In one animal study, 45 rats were subjected to a variety of treatments, including green tea. The study showed that consuming green tea improved the serum lipid profile by reducing total cholesterol, bad cholesterol, and trans fats. In addition, liver fat content decreased in rats that received a large amount of green tea.

Other Positive Effects of Green Tea Drinking

The polyphenols found in green tea may have some additional positive health effects. For instance, a number of animal and test tube studies indicate that these chemicals may have a substantial anti-cancer effect, especially in inhibiting the spread of melanoma, or skin cancer cells. Green tea has also been linked to a reduction in oral cancers and dental cavities.

In addition, green tea may stimulate the production of immune system cells. As a result, it can help the body fight bacteria, leading to improved overall health. In fact, one study showed that drinking ten or more cups of green tea each day could improve blood test results, protecting the body against liver damage.

How Much Green Tea is Enough?

Of course, you might be wondering how much green tea must be consumed in order to have a positive impact on health. In Asian nations, the typical tea drinker consumes about three cups each day—enough to provide as much as 320 mg of polyphenols. Nevertheless, some studies indicate as many as ten cups each day are needed in order to really make a difference in cholesterol levels and overall health.

Possible Side Effects

It should be noted that there can be some negative side effects associated with green tea consumption. While green tea is a relatively healthy drink, those who consume several cups of it each day may experience anxiety and insomnia brought on by the caffeine found in the beverage. Drinking green tea may also lead to iron deficiencies, since iron absorption in women may be reduced as much as 26 percent when green tea is consumed with a meal.
In addition, some drugs can interfere with green tea’s positive effects. Therefore, before switching to a diet rich in green tea, it may be best to check with a physician to determine if such a diet is right for you.

Looking to the Future

The forecast for green tea appears to be bright—as far as public health is concerned. Study after study seems to indicate that green tea can reduce cholesterol levels, combat cardiac disease, boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of cancer.

While additional study is needed in order to effectively harness all the benefits of green tea, it appears, for the moment, that simply adding a few cups of the brew to your daily diet can yield impressive health benefits.

Colorectal Cancer – Herbs and Change of Diet – No Thanks to Chemotherapy!

Rana (not real name, male) was 47 years old when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Sometimes he had blood in his stools. This problem persisted for a few years. Like many people, Rana did not pay attention to what his body was trying to tell him. A blood test showed elevated CEA, at 21.2 . Later a colonoscopy indicated cancer and Rana underwent an operation to resect 26 cm of his bowel. The histopathology report dated 22 April 2004, indicated a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the rectum, involving fat with spread to pericolic lymph nodes (6/10). The resected surgical margins were free. The cancer was staged as Duke’s C.

Rana was asked to undergo chemotherapy but he declined. He decided to take herbs and change his diet instead. He has been on this alternative therapy for three years now. He claimed that he is even healthier now than before he had cancer. The results of his blood test reflected this wellbeing – all values were within normal range and his recent CEA was at 2.2 (compared to 21.1 at diagnosis).

I met up with Rana on 28 November 2006. Below are excerpts of our conversation.

Question: How did you get to know that you had cancer?

Answer: This is an interesting story. My brother-in-law was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2003. He had his operation in the same month. Two months later, my late mother-in-law was also diagnosed with colon cancer and she was operated on in February 2004. I sometimes had to bring her to see her doctor for a follow-up check. While waiting in the doctor’s clinic, I saw posters about doing tests to find out about all these things. Out of curiosity I did my blood test. A week later they called me up saying that something was wrong – my CEA was 21.

Q: Okay, after your CEA was 21, what did you do?

A: As I have said earlier, my brother-in-law and later my late mother-in-law had cancer and they went to see the doctor in one private hospital. So, I also went to see the same gastrointestinal specialist. He did a colonoscopy and told me that I had cancer. The doctor told me that I should not wait any longer and said: “I have already notified the surgeon to stand by. You need to do the operation immediately.”

My wife was a bit angry because he did not even do a biopsy and yet he had already made a decision that it was cancer. Anyway, it was three days later that he called me and said: “I am afraid it is cancer.” Being ignorant, I did not panic or collapse. I just accepted the verdict. I was grateful that I was ignorant at that time. If I were to know too much, perhaps I would have reacted and took it differently. People say the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, it is a death certificate.

Q: After the diagnosis, I remember that you came to see me in Penang.

A: Yes, and you told me to go ahead with the surgery and after three weeks to start taking the herbs. Since then I have been on your herbs.

Q: After the operation, did they want you to go for chemotherapy?

A: Yes. A day before I was to be discharged, the surgeon came and said this: “I have good news and I have bad news for you. The good news is you don’t have to do radiotherapy. The bad news is you have to do chemotherapy. If you don’t do it the chances of your surviving for the next five years is 35 percent.” I asked the surgeon: “What happen if I do chemo?” He replied: “55 percent.”

Q: Then, you took herbs?

A: Yes, from April 2004. Chemotherapy — I didn’t think I could take it. Then based on trust, I wanted to try and do something different.
Wife: It has been two years plus now.

Q: Okay, as a person, how do you feel now?

A: I feel better now than I was before. I don’t have this tiredness. I also realized that if the stools are still inside, I feel uneasy — I feel heavy and it goes to the head. Now, I go to the toilet, may be 3 to 4 times a day — before it was 2 to 3 days once. I remember you telling me about the carrots. Since then, I take carrot juice every morning on an empty stomach.

Q: So, in terms of health, are you better off?

A: Yes, and I have gained weight too and with no meat in my diet!

Q: Now, in terms of your blood test results, is everything okay?

A: Yes, only once the ESR shot up to 12 after I came back from London. I was worried but you told me it could be due to stress, etc. Before that I did not believe that these would affect my health. I remember you telling me: “You are your own doctor. Your body will tell you if something is not right.” Anyway, now I do realize and do not accept the idea that I am already 100% cured. But I only know that the next day I can wake up and be thankful to God for this.

Q: Are you happy with what you are doing now and also happy with the herbs?

A: Of course, yes — no complaints.

Q: Do you feel more empowered now?

A: Yes. I am more careful and I know the risks. So when I travel I bring along with me all the herbs –Capsule A and then my boiling flask for my herbal teas. There was something I noticed. I was in Chiang Mai (northern Thailand) one time. I took only the capsule and not the teas. I felt something was wrong with my body. I did not go to the toilet as often. I was just different from before. I felt different and there was a difference!

Before the herbs, I had to see the doctor for flu, coughs and sore throat. These problems cropped up once every two or three months. But since taking the herbs, for two and half years now, I have not seen any doctor. No, I don’t have to see any doctor.

Researches on Saliva Drug Testing

A huge amount of research has gone into the development of saliva drug testing methods. The methodologies used continue to evolve as a result of all this research resulting in more accurate and reliable tests. Saliva drug testing has its obvious advantages but unfortunately, it is not the final solution and it does have its drawbacks.

The major benefit of saliva drug testing is that unlike urine blood tests, it is much easier to collect the sample for testing and it is much more difficult to give a false sample. In urine drug testing the sample is collected in the privacy of a special booth constructed for the purpose or a toilet. The subject has the chance to provide a sample that is clean without the knowledge of the person in charge of testing. This has been the greatest issue with urine drug testing so far.

But the collection of saliva for saliva drug testing is accomplished easily and in public leaving out no space for the subject in question to pull a trick on the tester. The sample required for saliva drug testing is collected by using a scrub that resembles a toothbrush, the only difference being that at the end where there should be bristles, we find a swab that collects saliva. Saliva is collected by placing this collection mechanism between the lower cheek and gum for about two minutes.

Understandably, the collection method for saliva drug testing is obviously simpler than that for urine testing, or blood testing for that matter. Another great advantage of saliva drug testing is that, with the use of some instant testing kits, the result is availed pretty quickly without the need for a lab. In contrast, a blood test would require sample collection by a health care professional and testing in a lab significantly driving up the costs and the time required.

Saliva drug testing cannot be used as a comprehensive drug test for detecting long term drug use patterns. Most drugs do not leave a residue in the saliva beyond a 20 hour period. Saliva drug testing can be used safely to judge whether the person has consumed drugs within the last 24 hours but it won’t detect if the person has any history of drug abuse at all. A hair drug test would beat saliva drug testing at it any given day going back up to 90 days, but a hair drug test takes a month or so to give results.

Saliva drug testing is rather an excellent way by which to test long haul truck drivers on the spot before a trip to determine whether he has consumed any drugs recently that would impair his ability to drive safely. Saliva drug testing could also be employed in case of accidents on the job or on the road to determine whether drug abuse was a factor that contributed to the mishap. With instant results and easy sample collection, no other tests would compare with a saliva drug test in these conditions.

Saliva drug testing has the capability to detect up to 8 different drugs in the body. It is usually designed to detect 5 to 6 drugs at the same time. The results of saliva drug testing are accurate and completely reliable. So the question arises as to why saliva drug testing is not as popular or widely employed as the urine test or the blood test.

Saliva drug testing will eventually replace all other drug testing methods in all cases where a comprehensive drug abuse history is not required to be evaluated. This quick and easy method is poised to take the market by storm. That is unless the labs manage to bury it in propaganda.

Rising Blood Sugar and Pre-Diabetes

I don’t usually like to talk about myself. Ok, that’s a lie. But, I recently had an experience with my own health that I thought might be of interest.

Like most folks, every year or so I go to the doctor for a check up. So a couple of weeks back I fasted for 12 hours and went early in the morning for my blood work. Not fun. The test isn’t bad, but I am grumpy without coffee in the morning.

The doctor gave me a shopping list of tests that I can have and I chose. It’s the most comprehensive set of tests I have ever had and the results of them were quite enlightening.

Here’s some background. I am a 48 year old, pre-menopausal woman, slim build, very physically active and lifetime vegetarian (ovo-lacto). A doctor’s dream patient.

As you might expect, my cholesterol readings have always been great – which is to be expected for a fit pre-menopausal woman (estrogen has beneficial effects on cholesterol). However, a few years ago, my tests showed that my blood sugar readings were “high” normal hovering around 100 mg/dl (5.5 mmol/L).

I was shocked and concerned that I was on the verge of developing pre-diabetes. The second year, the same test results. I got used to the idea that I was likely to develop Type II diabetes in 10 years. After all, for 20+ years I had been doing all the “right” things according to the American Diabetes Association guidelines – yet the numbers were inching higher.

I began to read bunches on pre-diabetes and what to expect. From reading, I knew that scientists are beginning to find more and more connections between not only high blood sugar and heart disease, but also links between blood sugar and pancreatic, colon, breast, prostate, and other cancers. I started to research ways to help myself nutritionally and fitness-wise. After a lot of research from traditional medicine to alternative, fitness and nutrition, I developed a plan and followed it for a year and a half.

To see if the plan is working, in the recent check-up, I asked for the full blood sugar testing including the test that measures blood sugar ranges over a 3 month period.

When the tests came back, my blood sugar was 80 and stable over 3 months. My cholesterol profile was even better than previous years.

Great!

Then, I compared the recent test with medical records kept over the last 20 years. I saw something amazing…my blood sugar, cholesterol and other readings (liver function etc.) are the same now as the were in 1991 – when I was 32 years old.

After that time, the readings slowly increased. By 1996, my blood sugar reading was 100. Why wasn’t this pointed out at the time?

Well, back in 1996 the “normal” ranges for blood sugar were between 70 and 140. So, 100 was well within range. The designated normal ranges have dropped significantly in the last few years.

Now we have intermediate ranges called prediabetes. (110-125) This is used largely as an intervention technique, because if caught at these early stages, half of people will not develop diabetes if they change their habits and lifestyle.

So, back to my story: what was the plan I developed? What did I change over the last year and a half that so significantly lowered blood sugar readings?

Here’s what I did:

Reduced dramatically the bread, pasta, rice and other grain-based things, brown or white, to less than once per week. Rarely ate sugar – paying specific attention to hidden sugars in food. No fruit juice or sports drinks Ate many more vegetables and raw vegetables. Used fruit in moderation. Added lots more protein foods: beans, nuts, lean dairy, eggs, soy (a non-vegetarian would include meat/poultry/fish) Had 5 to 6 small meals per day rather than 3 big ones. Added cinnamon daily. Included chromium and magnesium to my daily vitamin intake (multivitamin, antioxidants and essential fatty acids) Added more weight training to my workout. Practiced conscious stress reduction techniques

Since I did not approach the problem of lowering my blood sugar using the scientific method, it’s impossible to say which of the above items individually helped lower the sugar readings Put all together, they did work …dramatically.

So if you or anyone you know have blood sugar increases, it’s worth giving the things above a try. At the very least, you will be following a sound nutrition, fitness and wellness plan which certainly is good for you!

When you take your pooch in for a check up, your veterinarian will likely want to conduct a blood test that is referred to as a biochemical profile. Although most pet owners happily agree to have the biochemical profile completed, many don’t actually know why the testing is done or even what the test is looking for.

What is a Biochemical Profile Test?

A biochemical test is conducted by taking a sample of your pet’s blood. This sample is then used to check on how the internal organs are functioning. It also identifies your pet’s enzyme levels and electrolytes. By checking on these areas, your vet can better evaluate the health of your pet as well as whether or not it is safe to give your pet certain medications. Even if your pet appears to be healthy, it is a good idea to conduct a biochemical test in order to screen your pet’s health and to catch serious illnesses and diseases early. In fact, catching some diseases early can almost guarantee your vet will be able to treat the illness effectively.

Specific Problems that can be Identified with a Biochemical Profile

There are many specific conditions and illnesses that can be successfully monitored with the help of a biochemical profile test. These include:

• Cancer
• Deficiencies of Blood Sodium, Calcium, and Potassium
• Glandular Problems
• Hormonal Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease

Aside from being given for routine health screenings, biochemical profiles will also be conducted if your pet is exhibiting certain warning signs of these diseases. These warning signs include:

• Diarrhea
• Glandular Problems
• Urinary Problems
• Vomiting

If your pet is experiencing any of these health issues, you can be almost certain your vet will conduct a biochemical profile.

What to Expect from the Biochemical Profile

Although there are no health issues associated with biochemical profiles, unless your pet has a problem with excessive bleeding, the process can still be somewhat painful or your pet. The only pain involved, however, is that which your pet experiences from the needle piercing the skin in order to draw out a blood sample. The amount of pain your pet experiences from this process will depend upon your pet’s pain tolerance level as well as on the skill of the person drawing the blood.

In order to draw the blood, the vet or the vet tech will first sterilize a needle. Then he or she will place your pet in a position that makes it possible to access either an external jugular, such as what is found in the neck, or a superficial leg vein. The vet or vet tech will wet down the hair with alcohol in order to better find the vein and may even clip a little away, particularly if your pet has long hair or particularly small veins. With the vein properly exposed, the blood can be easily drawn.

Once the blood has been drawn, it is placed in a glass tube and is allowed to clot. It is then placed inside a centrifuge in order to be separated. The serum is then sent to the lab in order to be analyzed. Once it reaches the lab, it usually takes anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes to get results. Therefore, most pet owners get the results within 6 to 24 hours after the blood sample is taken.

People who suffer from diabetes know how important it is for them to be constantly aware of the sugar blood levels that are sometimes crucial even for survival. The many test kit brands available today on the market share common usage and content features: they all include glucose test strips, a battery-operated tester and some small devices for blood collection. You don’t need more than two or three blood droplets for an accurate test result. Together with the package there are the manufacturer’s recommendations and usage instructions that you need to read carefully before usage.

Other types of diabetes home health test kits measure the glucose level in urine samples and the results are interpreted by the change of the color on the test strips. Together with the kit comes a full chart that will help you interpret the results: the range of hues go from blue to green or green to brown. The test interpretation is not very difficult; it will only take a few minutes to have a reliable answer to a daily health preoccupation. Some brands of diabetes home test kits only include the blood collection devices, and the sample is afterwards sent via mail to a specialized medical laboratory.

Technology enables users to identify whether the amount in the blood sample is enough for the correct test performance; some test strips have color spots on the back, when they are fully colored it means enough blood has been applied. Some other digital diabetes home health tests beep to let the user know if the blood amount is satisfactory or not. The good part about this type of kits is that they can be taken with you even when you go on holiday as they easily fit in small suitcases or even handbags. If you’re afraid you may forget to perform the daily test, the smartest test kits have an alarm reminder incorporated.

Furthermore, there are many people who suffer from physical disabilities and have little dexterity in using very small technological home test kits, which is why manufacturers have come up with easy-to-use kits that even include voice instruction options. Available in a multitude of designs diabetes health kits make one’s life a lot easier; they range from affordable models to very expensive ones according to personal preferences. Whether digital or basic, diabetes home health test kits are medically approved and carry specific certification marks. Look for those whenever you purchase one and you’ll be safe from fake models!

Is monitoring blood glucose levels at home something you are going to have to do for either yourself or a family member?

Monitoring blood glucose levels at home is part of the diabetes treatment that is advocated by physicians all over the world today in addition to the diabetes diet. Most physicians recommend that patients acquire a blood glucose monitor or a glucose meter and learn how to take a glucose test and glucose reading on a daily basis.

However, physicians caution that the accuracy of the glucose reading taken at home depends on the capabilities of the glucose meter and the way the glucose test is taken. So it is very important that the person using the blood glucose monitor reads the manual supplied with the glucose meter and follows the instructions faithfully. The test must be performed using the proper techniques and the meter should be properly calibrated.

Home glucose meters are considered to be accurate if their reading falls within a 20% + or – variance to the Lab analyzed blood sample. This is because the Lab tests are done on the plasma extracts of the blood sample and home glucose tests are done on whole blood samples. However, modern blood glucose monitors take care of the variance and calibrate their glucose reading to match with Lab readings up to 5% level of accuracy.

If the glucose readings are significantly low, look for signs of hypoglycemia or abnormal low level of sugar in the blood. The symptoms include lethargy, confusion, inattention, shakiness or coordination problems. Immediately give the patient something sweet to eat like honey. This is emergency diabetic treatment. Later check on the diabetes diet prescribed by the physician and discuss with him on what has gone wrong in the diabetes treatment.

If none of these problems of hypoglycemia are evident, then the test procedure may need to be checked for accuracy:-

* Check if the sample was large enough to cover the strip’s test area completely.
* Check whether the strip has been handled and stored as instructed.

Some strips are sensitive in the sampling area and should not be touched while handling. The strips should be taken out from the box and the foil only a few seconds before using. If the strips are to be taken in a car, all effort should be made to ensure that they are not exposed to high temperatures or humidity. Check the expiry date on the strip. Use the strip with the prescribed meter only and ensure that the code from the strip container matches the number coded into the machine. You could get incorrect readings for the following reasons:-

* The glucose meter is dirty
* The meter had been dropped on the floor or from a height and damaged.
* The glucose meter is stored in high temperature conditions.
* The solutions that come with the blood glucose monitor could have expired.

Despite all precautions and faithful adherence to the instructions contained in the manual, if your meter continues to give you an erroneous reading, call the manufacturer.

Monitoring blood glucose levels at home is not very difficult but it must be remembered that glucose meters become less reliable over time and must be checked thoroughly before use. The new models of blood glucose monitors are easier to use and more foolproof. The test strips require only a small drop of blood and are corrected to plasma values. The results are easier to understand and compare with the results from the lab. Built-in memory for storing results and faster test times make these meters very attractive.

Patients using glucose meters to record the glucose reading as part of their daily diabetes management should learn how to maintain the results of the tests and how to record them:-

* Glucose test and glucose readings must be set down on paper along with the time and date and details of the dose of medication taken.
* Details of food intake, exercise and difficulties with the illness should also be recorded.
* Stress should also be recorded whenever applicable.

This method helps the health care professional identify daily patterns and make necessary medication adjustments to the diabetes treatment and diabetes diet.