Hypoglycaemia misdiagnosed by capillary glucose measurement

The diagnosis of hypoglycaemia has become much easier with the introduction of bedside capillary glucose measurements which require a single drop of blood from a finger prick. However, such a diagnosis may be wrongly made in patients with poor peripheral circulation. This case report illustrates the common circumstances where misdiagnosis occurs A drop of venous blood should be used for bedside glucose measurement if the diagnosis is in doubt.