Diabetics warned to 'check meters'

Diabetes patients in the UK have been warned to check their blood glucose meters after officials discovered a potentially deadly flaw in some devices.

The FreeStyle InsuLinx meter could give an incorrect low result when blood glucose levels are extremely high.

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a “medical device alert” concerning the product which is used by 40,000 patients across the UK.

Diabetes UK says that self-monitoring of blood glucose levels is “essential” for people with diabetes.

It enables people with diabetes to reduce their risk of potentially fatal short-term complications of diabetes such as hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as long-term complications such as blindness and amputations.

The MHRA said in the “unlikely event” that a patient has an extremely high blood glucose level of 56.8 mmol/L or higher, the meter could give a falsely low reading.

But officials said it was “extremely rare” for a reading to be so high.

The problem was detected through routine screening and no patients have been affected so far, officials said.

The MHRA is advising patients who use the device to contact the manufacturer Abbott Diabetes Care who will either replace the device or provide advice on how to update the software and fix the problem.

“People are unlikely to have very high blood glucose levels but if they do, they need a fully working blood glucose meter so they can get immediate medical attention,” John Wilkinson, the MHRA’s director of medical devices, said.

“Anyone who has the FreeStyle InsuLinx meter at home should contact the manufacturer on 0800 088 5521 who will either provide a new meter or provide advice about how to update the software on your current meter.”

Simon O’Neill, director of health intelligence at Diabetes UK, added: “Blood glucose testing is an important part of diabetes management.

“People using these meters should follow the company’s instructions to update the software on their meter or contact the company directly for advice.

“If they are concerned about their blood glucose readings, they should consult with their diabetes care team.”