TRUE METRIX blood sugar meter E-5 error: what to do next

If you use a TRUE METRIX blood glucose meter and the screen shows an E-5 error, FDA wants you to take it seriously—but not to guess what it means.

FDA says the same E-5 code can appear for two different situations: (1) a very high blood glucose event (FDA describes this as > 600 mg/dL) and/or (2) a test strip error. Confusing these situations could lead to delayed or incorrect response.

What FDA says the “E-5” error can mean

According to FDA, TRUE METRIX meters show the E-5 error code for:

Very high blood glucose (a very high event, FDA describes this as > 600 mg/dL), and/or
A test strip error (meaning the glucose result may be normal, or it may reflect dangerously low or high glucose depending on what’s actually happening).

What to do right away if E-5 appears

FDA’s immediate guidance is designed to reduce the risk of acting on the wrong assumption:

Use an alternative method for testing glucose if possible.
Keep testing your blood glucose. FDA says you should not stop using your TRUE METRIX meter until you have an alternative testing method available.
Talk with your clinician or pharmacist about options for transitioning to an alternative glucose monitoring system.

FDA also says it is especially important for higher-risk users—such as those on intensive insulin therapy, taking sulfonylureas, or having frequent hyper- or hypo-glycemic events—to transition to an alternative monitoring method.

When to contact a clinician right away

If you receive an E-5 error while you are having symptoms of low or high blood glucose, FDA says you should immediately contact your health care provider for help determining appropriate treatment options.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can be dangerous if left untreated. CDC notes that blood sugar below 70 mg/dL is considered low, and severe low blood sugar is below 54 mg/dL. CDC also lists serious symptoms as blood sugar gets worse, including confusion and seizures, and it notes severe lows may make someone faint (pass out).

Caregiver check: was your TRUE METRIX device in a first-aid kit?

FDA also posted a first-aid kit recall/correction update that is content current as of June 26, 2026. To check whether a kit-based TRUE METRIX device is part of that correction:

Find the product code and lot number on your kit or the kit’s paperwork/label.
Compare those details to the affected product list on the FDA page.

On the FDA page, the affected first-aid kit items are:

KIT, AIDBAG – SMALL – CRISIS 24 (Product Code 85-4661; Lot 85-4661122024)
KIT, AIDBAG 1 – V1.0 – SEATTLE PD (Product Code 85-4742; Lot 85-4742123024)

What’s still practical (and what to do next)

What’s known: FDA identified an E-5 error code issue related to software design and user instructions. The safest approach is to avoid guessing, use an alternative testing method when possible, and contact your health care provider if E-5 shows up with symptoms.

What remains personal: how your clinician wants you to monitor glucose right now—especially if E-5 appears more than once or if you’re higher-risk.

Next reasonable steps:

Follow FDA’s guidance for switching to an alternative testing method when possible.
If E-5 appears with symptoms, contact your clinician right away.
Report any problems or complications with the meter to FDA and Trividia Health (as FDA recommends).

For families and clinicians-adjacent caregivers, this is a “moment of decision” issue: the E-5 message can remove clarity during symptoms. FDA’s recommendations are aimed at keeping people from delaying the right response—or using the wrong one.

Key sources

Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.