How To Check Your Blood Sugar

Why do I need to check my blood sugar?

• You may need to check the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood if you have diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects the way your body makes insulin and how it uses sugar. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar by allowing sugar to enter body cells. Sugar must enter body cells to give your body the energy it needs. With diabetes mellitus, your body does not make enough insulin, or your body does not use insulin the way it should. When insulin does not work the way it should, sugar builds up in your blood.
  
  
• High blood sugar levels increase your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, eye problems, and kidney problems. You can decrease your risk of having these health problems by controlling your blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar levels can also lead to serious health problems and must be treated right away. Testing your blood sugar is the only way to know what your blood sugar level is. Testing will help you learn how food, exercise, stress, and medicines affect your blood sugar levels. You and your caregiver can use this information to adjust your diabetes medicine and insulin doses if needed. You can also use this information to help you plan and adjust your diet and exercise routine.

How do I check my blood sugar?

• You check your blood sugar level with a glucose monitor, also called a glucometer. This is a small device that measures how much sugar is in your blood. The monitor uses a small drop of blood to measure your blood sugar level. You can get the sample of blood from your finger using a special needle called a lancet to poke your finger. With some blood glucose meters, you can use blood from other body areas. These body areas include your thigh, forearm, or the palm of your hand.
  
  
• Blood sugar levels change quickly after meals, after you take insulin, during exercise, and when you feel stressed or ill. It is best to use blood from your finger to check your blood sugar level during these times. Your caregiver will teach you how to use a glucose monitor to check your blood sugar level. Ask your caregiver for more information about using blood samples from body areas other than your finger.

How do I choose a blood glucose meter?

Caregivers will help you choose the best meter for you. You can buy glucose meters at drug or medical supply stores. Ask yourself the following questions when you shop for a glucose meter:

• Is the meter the right size for you?
  
  
• Do you want to use blood from other areas of your body such as the palm of your hand, your forearm, or thigh?
  
  
• Is it easy for you to see the numbers in the display area?
  
  
• Does the meter seem easy to use?
  
  
• Is it easy to get supplies for the meter if you are traveling?
  
  
• Does the meter have a memory which keeps track of your blood sugar levels? Does the meter keep track of other details that you need?

What equipment do I need to check my blood sugar?

• Blood glucose meter
  
  
• Test fluids to calibrate your meter for accurate blood glucose measurements
  
  
• Meter test strips
  
  
• Lancets
  
  
• Lancet device, a pen-shaped item that holds the lancet and that you use to poke yourself
  
  
• Cotton gauze or tissue
  
  
• Pen and notepad to write down your test results

What steps do I take to check my blood sugar?

There many different types of meters and test strips. Read the instructions that came with your meter so that you understand how to use it. The following are general steps for testing your blood sugar:

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
  
  
• Put a new lancet in the lancet device.
  
  
• Turn the glucose meter on and make sure the code on the test strips container matches the one displayed on the meter.
  
  
• Place a test strip into the blood glucose monitor.
  
  
• If you are taking blood from your finger, choose a spot on the side of your fingertip to poke.  Poke the side of your finger with the lancet device. This is usually done by pressing a button on the lancet device. Wait for a drop of blood to form. If a drop does not form, gently squeeze your finger until a drop forms.
  
  
• Place the drop of blood on the test area of the test strip. If your strip draws in your blood, place the drop of blood against the side of the test area. Wait until the right amount of blood has been drawn into the test strip.
  
  
• Wait for the blood glucose monitor to show your results. The amount of time it takes to get a result depends on the type of meter you have. It usually takes between 5 and 50 seconds to get a result.
  
  
• Use gauze or a tissue to wipe your fingertip clean. Hold it on the area until the bleeding has stopped.
  
  
• Throw away the lancet in a hard container with a lid. Keep the container out of the reach of children and pets.

When and how often should I check my blood sugar?

Ask your caregiver when and how often you should check your blood sugar levels. You may need to check your blood sugar levels before meals, after meals, or at bedtime. Check your blood sugar at least 3 times each day if you use an insulin pump or need several injections of insulin each day. Blood sugar levels need to be checked more often when you are sick, or if you change your daily routine. Test your blood sugar if you feel like your blood sugar may be too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia).

What are the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia?

Check your blood sugar if you have any of the following signs and symptoms:

• More thirst than usual
  
  
• More urine than usual
  
  
• More hunger than usual
  
  
• Blurred vision

What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia?

If your blood glucose level is low, you need to eat some sugar right away. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to treat hypoglycemia. Check your blood sugar if you have any of the following signs and symptoms:

• Fast heartbeat
  
  
• Feeling dizzy, faint (lightheaded), shaky, or confused
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Seizures
  
  
• Sweating

How do I keep a record of my blood sugar levels?

Write down your blood sugar level each time you test it. Write down the date, the time of the test (including if it was before or after a meal), and the result. Write down the time you took your insulin or diabetes pills. Record the kind and amount of insulin you used, or the kind of insulin pill, and how many you took. Write comments about anything that may have made your blood sugar level go up or down. Blood sugar level can be affected by exercise, eating more or less than usual, or stress. Bring this record with you every time you see your caregiver. These records will help you and your caregiver find out how well your diabetes plan is working.

How do I take care of my glucose meter and test strips?

• Storage: Keep the test strips away from heat, cold, or moisture (water). Do not take a test strip out of the container until you are ready to use it. Put the lid tightly on the container afterwards. Do not use test strips that are damaged, wet, or bent.
  
  
• Expiration date: Check the date on the test strip container to be sure the test strips have not expired. Your blood sugar readings may be wrong if you use expired test strips. Use the type of glucose test strips that work with your glucose meter.
  
  
• Coding your meter: Your meter may need a special code that matches each new bottle of test strips you use. If your meter is not coded correctly, your blood sugar readings may be wrong. The way the code should be entered depends on the meter you have. You may need to enter the code yourself. Some meters have a code test strip or chip that needs to be inserted into the meter. When the code test strip or chip is put in, the code is entered. Follow the instructions for entering the code that came with your meter or strips.
  
  
• Accuracy: Your meter may not work right if it is left in the heat, cold, or if it gets wet. Using an old meter or dropping it may also make your blood sugar readings wrong. If any of these things happen, check the accuracy of the meter. You can check the accuracy of your meter by testing a drop of control solution. Control solution often comes with a meter or can be bought at a drug or medical supply stores. The blood sugar reading of the control solution should match the one that is listed on the bottle. Ask your caregiver for more information about control solutions.

Risks:

You and your caregiver will not know if your blood sugar levels are under control if you do not check them regularly. You may have hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia and not have any symptoms. Regularly check your blood sugar levels to help you watch for and prevent hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Over time, hyperglycemia can harm your heart, kidneys, eyes, blood vessels, and nerves. Hypoglycemia can also lead to serious health problems and must be treated right away. Ask your caregiver for more information about hypoglycemia and how to treat it.

Where can I get more information about diabetes?

• American Diabetes Association
  1701 North Beauregard Street
  Alexandria , VA 22311
  Phone: 1- 800 - 342-2383
  Web Address: http://www.diabetes.org
  

• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
  120 Wall Street
  New York , NY 10005-4001
  Phone: 1- 800 - 533-2873
  Web Address: http://www.jdf.org
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2011. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about How To Check Your Blood Sugar