new subject

I wonder if everyone is aware that PD patients who use Extraneal (has icodextrin) cannot use home blood glucose meters that use glucose dehydrogenase technology? If a patient has used Extraneal within ten days there are interfering substances (eg maltose) which will give a falsely elevated BS reading. This can be extremely serious in the hypoglycemic patient, and in the patient in whom insulin is being adjusted according to these readings. The blood glucose can vary (in our experience) up to 8 mmol/L. (one exception to this rule that we are LOOKING INTO FURTHER is the Precision Xtra.) We are working on a process at our hospital to ensure that our PD patients are using appropriate technology. (one strategy...we will not use our hospital wide institutional Roche blood glucose meter on any PD patients if they are admitted)