Up to 11,000 people in the UK could be getting a false reading from their blood glucose meter, the MHRA has warned.

FreeStyle Blood Glucose Meters and FreeStyle Mini Blood Glucose Meters could produce a false low blood sugar reading when used with FreeStyle Lite and Freestyle testing strips, the MHRA said on Wednesday (March 13).

Patients handling affected meters, sold in the UK until 2007, should contact manufacturer Abbott Diabetes Care to receive a new meter for free, the medicines watchdog said.

FreeStyle Blood Glucose Meters and FreeStyle Mini Blood Glucose Meters could produce a false low blood sugar reading when used with FreeStyle testing strips, the MHRA said	More on diabetes New diabetes drug gets Nice recommendation Wiltshire funded to replicate Devon diabetes pilot NHS England commits to health checks in diabetes drive
	In the meantime, patients should be vigilant for signs of high blood glucose levels while continuing to measure their levels using their existing meter, it said.

"People need to have a fully working blood glucose meter so they can monitor their levels and if necessary bring their [them] back to a safe level," said MHRA director of medical devices John Wilkinson.

People using these meters should contact Abbott Diabetes Care on 0500 467 466 to receive a new one, Mr Wilkinson added.

Diabetes UK director of health intelligence Simon O'Neill said anyone with questions regarding blood glucose readings should consult their diabetes care team.

In December, the MHRA issued a warning that 15,000 FreeStyle Lite diabetes test strips, also manufactured by Abbott Diabetes Care, could give false readings due to a manufacturing fault.