Testing blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, is an essential part of your diabetes care plan.
Depending on your current condition, you may need to visit your doctor several times a year for formal testing, according to the American Diabetes Association. You may also need to reach out to your doctor for preventive testing, such as cholesterol checks and eye exams.
While staying in touch with your doctor is important for staying on top of your treatment plan, you can and should test your blood sugar on your own as long as your healthcare team advises you to.
Self-monitoring your blood glucose may be vital to your treatment. Testing your own levels allows you to learn how to manage your blood sugar regardless of the time of day or where you are.
Learn how these tests work and talk with your doctor about the benefits of self-monitoring.
Your doctor will help you decide if you need to test your blood sugar at home. If you do, they’ll work out how often you should test and at what times of the day. They’ll also tell you what your blood sugar targets are.
You may consider diabetes home tests if you have:
By keeping track of blood glucose, you can discover problems in your current diabetes care.
According to the
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is below 70 mg/dL, and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is well above 140 mg/dL.
By maintaining glucose at an average range, you may help prevent diabetes complications. According to the
- diabetic coma
- eye disease
- gum disease
- kidney damage
- nerve damage
Blood glucose tests come in various forms, and they all tell you what your blood sugar level is at that point in time. Most home blood glucose monitor tests need:
- a lancet (small needle) and a lancing or lancet device (to hold the needle)
- test strips
- a glucose meter
- portable cases
- cords to download data, if needed
Please note that continuous glucose monitors (CGM) are an alternative way to monitor blood glucose.
According to the
- Wash your hands.
- Put a lancet into the lancet device so that it’s ready to go.
- Place a new test strip into the meter.
- Prick your finger with the lancet in the protective lancing device.
- Carefully place the subsequent drop of blood onto the test strip and wait for the results.
Results should generally show up within seconds.
With some meters, you need to be sure the code on the strip matches the code on the meter. You should also occasionally check the date on the strips to make sure they aren’t out of date.
Most meters now have a way to use an alternative site for testing, like your forearm. Talk with your doctor to decide what is best for you.
The fingers traditionally offer the most accurate results. Some tests allow you to prick your thigh or arm, but you should check with your doctor before doing so. Ask your doctor if and how often you should test yourself if you don’t take insulin.
You may consider testing before and after meals to see how your diet affects blood glucose. It’s especially important to test after eating simple carbohydrates or sugary foods to make sure your glucose isn’t too high.
It’s also important to test whenever you make a change to your treatment plan or if you feel you’re getting sick.
A blood glucose chart is essential for tracking your results. Whether you keep track of your readings on paper or electronically, having this information can help you identify patterns and potential problems.
You should save your charts and take them to your next visit with the doctor. When writing down your results, also be sure to log:
- the date and time of the test
- any medications you’re taking, as well as the dosage
- whether the test was before or after a meal
- foods you ate and their carbohydrate contents
- any workouts you did that day and when you did them
Self-monitoring your blood sugar is crucial for determining how your diabetes is doing on a daily basis.
A few tests a year at the doctor’s office cannot give an accurate portrayal of your condition since glucose levels fluctuate throughout the day. However, this doesn’t mean that home tests should replace your regular preventive testing either.
In addition to self-monitoring at home, your doctor will likely recommend an A1C test. It measures how your blood glucose has been averaging over the last 2 to 3 months.
Getting regular lab tests can also help you determine how well you’re controlling your diabetes. They’ll also help you and your healthcare team decide how often to use your home test, as well as what your target reading should be.
Self-monitoring your blood sugar is essential to maintaining your health.
The CDC recommends that if your readings are unusually low (below 60 mg/dL) or high (above 300 mg/dL), you call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention.
