What is more accurate--testing levels at home or blood test?

Hi Guys,

Since last year my blood glucose has been 106 (which is slightly high according to doc, right over 100). So I have been considered pre-diabetic. Family history of diabetes, African American, over weight and High Blood pressure.

Well I checked my levels for the first time last night after dinner (had chipotle minus the rice) and levels were 96. I also checked this morning at 5:50 and levels were 93.

Why would the testing at home be fine and the blood levels be a little high?

Not active other than walking around at work. I have High Blood Pressure on meds for that (3 different types).

I am just wondering why I am considers pre-diabetic or what my doc likes to call "diet-controlled" diabetes. Maybe she is looking at family history and other signs of on-set if I dont change some things now.

Good morning, you two.  Good grief, you're up early!  I thought white-coat syndrome was for blood pressure?  Anyway, your blood sugar readings were great the night before bed and in the morning!  Congratulations!  Maybe changing what you're eating, even just a little, has made a little change in the fasting morning blood sugar.

I think your doctor is being very vigilant with you, trying to make sure you don't live for years with just 'elevated' blood sugar before getting to the point where your blood sugar is very high all the time.  I think that's good but I also think he (she?) should prescribe a meter.  That's what my doctor did because I also have type 2 on my mother's side - but I think my doctor should have started me on this road a lot earlier.  I was pretty dumb about all this in the beginning.

Anyway, if you keep that journal with the food, then you'll know what food elevated the blood sugar.

I sounds like you're going to be in control of your health! 

I think you have exactly the right kind of thinking! At this point, you really are able to control your blood sugar. They say that hypertension is the silent killer and I think diabetes is, too. We can live for years with elevated blood sugar and be 'fine' but in reality there might be heart damage, kidneys, eyes and circulation. Many doctors see our 'borderline' blood sugar levels and tell us to 'watch' our diet and their guidelines for us are higher blood sugar levels than normal. Why is that? I've read it's because they think patients just won't follow diets to control the blood sugar.

Anyway, the more you learn, the better off you will be and you will also pass your knowledge on to your children, too.

Have a great day! Hope you're not in the bad weather path. We're just south of the predicted snow and ice but we're ready for it. (sort of ....)

Blood test is what the home meter readings are usually compared against. Lab equipment should be calibrated, meters have only passed some manufacturer quality control test.

However, since I'm type 1 myself, I consider singular readings kinda irrelevant because my blood glucose tends to vary a lot. I'm used to trusting the hba1c test result that gives me an idea of how high blood glucose levels have been in the long run.