Chris, Actually the meter sounds like it is likely doing a pretty good job. Blood Sugar is semi variable depending on which finger used, and is considered accurate within a band of + or minus perhaps 10 -15 %. Washing hands is always suggested since glucose can accumulate on or finger tips. If you were preparing food, touched certain chemicals or maybe accidentally touched a surface that had recently touched something like fruit. There are dozens of ways pick up glucose on our fingers that it is a good idea to wash to use an alcohol pad.
Now I do not always do that. But if my meter reading is much different than my CGM reading I will wash my hands and test again. It is just good practice to make sure I get as accurate as possible reading.
You may ask how could two finger sticks be different? In fact a better question might be why are two different readings the same. When that happens I do a little happy dance.
Hey Chris aka @CWM030 I agree with the others. Once thing we have to remember is that the reading we get from our meters and CGMs are not like a Volt/Ohm meter or a speedometer reading as there are several things that can affect the reading, and that BG is not constant. Well it is constantly rising and falling.
That thing about hand washing is important. It may have been here on TuDiabetes that I read a post from the parent of a type 1 child. The child was upset over a very high BG reading. Dad or Mom said, “Did you wash your hands after eating that banana?” With clean hands she got a proper reading. Wash and dry your hands. I am not sure but I think moisture can affect a reading.
