Home
- Eating Well (or at Least Not terribly) at Fast Food Resturants
You can view the current or previous issues of Diabetes Health online, in their entirety, anytime you want.
Click Here To View
See if you qualify for our free healthcare professional magazines. Click here to start your application for Pre-Diabetes Health, Diabetes Health Pharmacist and Diabetes Health Professional.
Latest Blood Sugar Articles
Popular Blood Sugar Articles
Highly Recommended Blood Sugar Articles
How Well Does Your Monitor Work in Higher Altitudes?
Implications for Hikers and Skiers with Diabetes
A small Italian trial tested the accuracy of two popular blood glucose monitors at an altitude of nearly 10,000 ft. The Glucometer Elite II and the LifeScan One Touch II were tested on six type 1s who all had good glycemic control and no diabetes-related complications. The readings from the meters were compared to the results from venous blood samples. The findings were reported in the January issue of Diabetes Care.
Although both meters performed well at sea level and at a moderately high altitude, their margins for error seemed to increase at a higher altitude. At sea level, both meters tended to under-estimate glucose levels. At almost 10,000 ft, the Glucometer tended to over-estimate glucose levels, especially for the low to intermediate (<100 to 200 mg/dl) range. This tendency to over-estimate may be a problem, especially if the person who is testing is experiencing low blood sugars. On the other hand, at a higher altitude, the LifeScan meter tended to under-estimate blood glucose levels, especially those in the high range.
The researchers conclude that a decrease in pO2* (partial pressure of oxygen) could cause the meters to under-estimate blood glucose levels and an increase in atmospheric pressure could cause the meters to over-estimate blood glucose levels. Despite such minor tendencies toward over or underestimation at higher altitudes, both the LifeScan One Touch II and the Glucometer Elite II performed well overall.
The findings may have ramifications for diabetic athletes, professional and amateur alike, who enjoy higher-altitude sports such as skiing and hiking.
* The normal pO2 of arterial blood is about 100 mmHg. The pO2 of room air in an atmosphere of 760 mmHg is about 160 mmHg.
Categories: Blood Glucose, Blood Sugar, Diabetes, Diabetes, Meters
You May Also Be Interested In...
Click Here To View Or Post Comments
0 comments -
Apr 1, 2000
-
Diabetes Health
Diabetes Health is the essential resource for people living with diabetes- both newly diagnosed and experienced as well as the professionals who care for them. We provide balanced expert news and information on living healthfully with diabetes. Each issue includes cutting-edge editorial coverage of new products, research, treatment options, and meaningful lifestyle issues.
-
Topics
- Diabetic / Diabetes Health
- Type 1 / 1.5 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Blood Glucose / Sugar
- High/Low Blood Sugar / Fast Acting Glucose
- Insulin- Pumps, Pens & Syringes
- Continuous Glucose Monitors, CGM, Infusion Sets
- Type 2 Medications
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypoglycemia
Email to a Friend
Send a link to this page to your friends and colleagues.