Hi @A DiabetesTeam Member and all you warriors,
The major reasons for the E-3 error are too high a reading, wrong test strip, incorrectly inserted test strips, not large enough blood sample to properly fill the test strips, having sugar or salt on the finger, or dirty finger.

So to make sure fingers are clean with no salt, sugars, or dirt, I wash hands and dry them.

There are several Accu-Chek meters and test strips must be the correct one for the model.

If you insert the test strip upside down, not completely, or backwards, it will give you the error.

I make the blood sample at least as large or a little bigger than the head of a pin. If properly hydrated, 1/2-3/4 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, it is easier to get a large enough blood sample. If you have to do a deeper finger stick, you can, but there will be more post stick pain at the finger stick site.

There is the option of resetting the blood glucose meter, by removing the battery for at least 30 seconds.

If your blood glucose reading is too high it could be from eating too many sugars or other carbs. Cut the carbs.

Carbs are converted to glucose almost as quickly as sugars, especially white carbs like white flour, white potatoes, white rice, white bread, white pasta, white bread. Cakes or cookies are even worse.

Did you know that a serving of carbs is 15. 15 carbs is:
1 slice bread.
1/3 cup pasta.
1/3 cup potatoes.
1/3 cup rice.

And eliminate all added sugars in food and drink.

The numbers we shoot for are:
morning fasting less than 126(7.0).
2 hour 139(7.8).
Hypoglycemic events are around or less than 70(3.9).
I avoid hypos at all costs.

Most diabetics can handle 100-130 carbs spread equitable throughout 3-5 meals and 1-2 snacks daily.
Some can only handle 80.
Some only 50.
Some can only tolerate 30.

Then there is me at only 15-20 carbs daily. For me that is 5-8 per meal. I have learned that to keep my numbers in the good range that limited carb number, is what I need to do. I supercontrol my diabetes journey.

My A1C started at 13.5, 3.5 months later it was 4.9, by eating almost no carbs 15-20 per day. 9 months later 5.3, 9 months later 5.1. I have been doing no diabetes medications, so far, my choice.

I have decided to eat to live, not live to eat. My compelling reason to do what's necessary is both my parents passed within 10 years of being diagnosed diabetic, 30 years ago. My Mom was 58, my Dad 68. 7 June I will be 70. I was diagnosed February 2021. I am the oldest of 8, and all my siblings were diagnosed diabetic 12-24 years ago.

Baby steps. Do what you need to do.

And never give up, never surrender, never ever.
You got this.
Have a wonderful day.

Mentioned Users

A Diabete...

Can also be due to faulty test strip.Do a repeat,as you say, with bigger blood drop.If problem persists report it to people supplying your strips- often issue replacements so you don't lose out

Thanks. I’ll try a larger blood sample