Our resource hub is home to a wealth of articles, stories and videos about managing and living with type 1 diabetes.
Place your order for our free information packs that support adults and children who have been recently diagnosed.
Our researchers are working on different ways to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes - from growing insulin-producing beta cells in labs to hacking the immune system.
Learn about the technologies that can deliver insulin automatically when needed. And discover the next generation of insulins that are currently being developed.
Your donations help support people living with type 1 diabetes today and fund the best treatment and cure research, no matter where in the world it takes place.
You could win a cash prize of up to £25,000 when you play the JDRF lottery. As well as the chance to win great prizes, you'll also help fund our research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
The announcement is the biggest treatment breakthrough for type 1 diabetes since the discovery of insulin.
Join us on Saturday 21 September 2024 with hundreds of JDRF supporters celebrating One Walk Belfast!
We provide a wealth of information and free resources to help you support and empower your patients or students.
Take our free course for schools to learn more about supporting pupils with type 1 diabetes in educational settings.
JDRF is undergoing a transformation.We are becoming Breakthrough T1D in October.
Home > Knowledge & support > Managing type 1 diabetes > Guide to type 1 diabetes technology > Blood glucose meters > How accurate is my glucose monitor?
Blood glucose meters, also called finger prick tests, and the sensors in continuous glucose monitors (CGM) or flash monitors take glucose readings from different parts of the blood. Because you draw a small amount of blood when you use a blood glucose meter, it measures glucose in the blood itself – known as capillary blood.
CGM or flash sensors measure the fluid between the blood vessels and cells – this is called interstitial fluid.
Capillary blood and interstitial fluid have different physiological properties. Changes in glucose levels will be seen more quickly in capillary blood than in interstitial fluid. The difference in readings between capillary blood and interstitial fluid is often called ‘lag’.
CGM and flash sensors have algorithms that account for this lag to give an accurate reading.
The accuracy of a CGM or flash sensor depends on the chemistry of the sensor, the algorithm it uses, how it’s calibrated, and the body chemistry of the person wearing it.
If your CGM or flash sensor gives you a reading that you need to act on, for example you need to treat a hypo or take a corrective dose of insulin, check the reading with a blood glucose meter before you take action.
When you check your CGM or flash reading against a reading from a blood glucose meter, the numbers won’t be exactly the same. If the numbers are pretty close, that’s great. If they are very far apart, it’s probably best to rely on the blood glucose meter result.
Blood glucose meters have to meet international standards to provide the best possible readings. Manufacturers also have to assess what substances might interfere with the results.
Like all technology, blood glucose meters aren’t perfect. There are things you can do to get the best and most accurate results from blood glucose meters.
Test strips expire so make sure you throw out any that are old or damaged. They can be affected by heat, moisture and humidity so keep them safely in their original packaging.
As well as keeping your test strips at room temperature, you should do the same for your meter.
Always wash your hands with soap and water before doing a blood glucose test because food, drink or dirt on your hands can affect the result. If you’re on the go and don’t have any soap and water, try a disinfectant wipe.
Make sure the code on your meter matches the code on your test strip container.
Not using enough blood can sometimes affect the result of your reading. Make sure you use a new test strip when you try a bigger droplet.
A guide to keeping your blood glucose levels as normal as possible
A guide to the general glucose ranges that can be used as a guideline.<br />
Information on clinical guidelines and current NHS funding for advanced glucose monitoring technologies for people with type 1 diabetes
A smart insulin pen is a reusable self-injection pen, which records information about how much insulin you inject and the timing of it.
Blood glucose meters measure the amount of glucose in the blood. They are an important part of managing your blood glucose levels.
Continuous glucose monitoring can help you manage your glucose levels in real-time and relieve the burden of having to do multiple finger prick tests throughout the day.
A flash glucose monitor is a small wearable device that you scan with a reader or mobile phone to check your glucose levels.
Hybrid closed loop technology – also known as the artificial pancreas – automates many of the decisions that you have to make on a daily basis when you have type 1 diabetes.
Open source and DIY systems are sometimes used by people with type 1 diabetes or people caring for someone with type 1 to help manage the condition.
Apps can help you manage type 1 diabetes, from logging your insulin doses, glucose levels and the food you eat, to helping you count carbs and order prescriptions.
Please note that your consent will be valid across all our subdomains. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the “Consent Preferences” button at the bottom of your screen. We respect your choices and are committed to providing you with a transparent and secure browsing experience.
