RESULTS
“Do I have symptoms of high blood glucose (hyperglycemia): fatigue, dry mouth and skin, increased thirst or hunger, blurry vision, increased uri- nation, rapid deep breathing, or a fruity smell to the breath?”
“What have I eaten?”
“How much have I exercised?”
“Am I ill (common cold, flu, etc.)?”
“Have I been under stress lately?”
In addition to these factors, there are other abnormal conditions that can affect your results.
1.Extremes in hematocrit (the amount of red blood cells in the blood) can affect test results. Very high hematocrits (above 60%) and
very low hematocrits (below 25%) can cause false results.6
2.Severe dehydration and excessive water loss may cause false low results.7, 8 Severe dehy- dration, which may lead to many serious medical complications, can be caused by:
■Vomiting and diarrhea
■Prescription drugs (e.g., diuretics)
■Inability to recognize or respond to “thirst” sensations
■Uncontrolled diabetes
■Shock9
If you believe you are suffering from severe dehydration, consult a health- care professional immediately.
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