Plasma Calibration
International plasma calibration standard
– for TERUMO FINETOUCH® users always standard!
The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) recommend that glucose values are always shown in plasma. That recommendation is already followed in most parts of the world (incl. U.S.A and Europe, except for e.g. Germany).1
There are two different types of blood glucose meters on the market, whole blood and plasma calibrated. Whole blood calibrated meters show test results that are 10-12% lower than plasma blood calibrated meters, as the blood glucose concentration in whole blood is lower than in blood plasma. There is always a risk to mix-up these results.
In laboratories, the blood glucose value is mainly measured in plasma, as this method is more accurate. Patients using meters which are whole blood calibrated, can be confused because of lower results with their meter compared to laboratory results. When traveling to foreign countries, like the USA, where whole blood calibrated meters are not commonly used, whole-blood results can cause confusion.
In order to avoid this kind of confusion, the IFCC recommends showing only plasma values, for blood glucose.
Plasma values have always been standard for TERUMO FINETOUCH® meters. TERUMO FINETOUCH® meters make life easier for you and your diabetes-care team as results are easier to compare with laboratory tests. When plasma calibration becomes a standard in your country, and you are a TERUMO FINETOUCH® user, there is no change in your daily life. TERUMO FINETOUCH® always gives you safe and accurate results in the right recommended way.
If you need further information please contact your local diabetes team at diabetes@terumo-europe.com.
1 D'Orazio P., Burnett RW., Fogh-Andersen N., et al.: Approved IFCC recommendations on reporting results for blood glucose. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2006;44(12):1486-90.