
June 29, 2001
Blood Tests and Insulin Injections
Question from Scott City, Kansas, USA:
We had a error message on our blood glucose meter, called the company 800 number, and was told that the error message was because we keep the meter on the kitchen counter and heat/humidity affect the meter. We can’t keep it in the bathroom or bedroom. Do heat and humidity affect meters?
Answer:
If the strips go bad if left open for very long because of humidity. I have never had trouble with error messages unless it is really hot (just from car, etc.). If you’re not keeping it close to the stove, there should not be a problem.
LD
Additional comments from Dr. John Schulga:
It is true that temperature and humidity can affect the performance of meters. Some of out patients have noticed with a spate of warmer weather (for UK anyway) that the meters were coming up with error messages, indicating they were too hot. Perhaps keeping the meter in a drawer might help.
JS