How To Check Your Blood Sugar

GENERAL INFORMATION:

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. 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.

How do I check my blood sugar?

• Your caregiver will teach you how to use a glucose monitor to check your blood sugar level. A glucose monitor is a small device that tells you 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 lancet device. This device looks like a pen and uses a special needle called a lancet to poke your finger. A lancet device is often included with a glucose meter. You can also buy a lancet device at a drug or medical supply store.
  
  
• Blood sugar levels change quickly after meals, after taking insulin, during exercise, and when you feel stressed or ill. Blood taken from your finger is best to use to check your blood sugar level during these times. Some blood sugar meters let you use blood from other body areas, such as your thigh, forearm, and the palm of your hand. 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 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 on the lancet device.
  
  
• 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. Do not squeeze the area. Wait for a drop of blood to form.
  
  
• 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. This usually takes between 5 and 50 seconds.
  
  
• 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. Some people may need to check their blood sugar four or more times each day. These include people who use an insulin pump or who 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 thirsty than usual.
  
  
• Passing more urine than usual.
  
  
• More hungry than usual.
  
  
• Blurred vision.

What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia? Check your blood sugar if you have any of the following signs and symptoms:

• Sweaty.
  
  
• Headache.
  
  
• Heart is beating very fast.
  
  
• Feel dizzy, faint (lightheaded), shaky or confused.
  
  
• Seizures.

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 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 are still OK to use. Using expired test strips may give you a blood sugar level that is wrong. Use the brand name of glucose test strip suggested by your caregiver.
  
  
• 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: Regularly checking your blood sugar levels helps watch for and prevent hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. It also helps you control your blood sugar levels. Over time, uncontrolled blood sugar levels can hurt your heart, kidneys, eyes, blood vessels, and nerves.

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 diabetes health care plan. To help with this plan you must learn about diabetes and how to check your blood sugar levels. You can then discuss your treatment options with your caregiver. You can work with him to decide how you will check your blood sugar levels. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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