How To Test Your Blood Glucose?
 

 

Testing Your Blood Glucose

Your health care providers can assist you in choosing the most suitable glucose meter, give instructions on its use as well as the recording of the readings. There are several meters as well as supplies in the market to assist you in monitoring your blood sugar levels.

 

 

Below are certain aspects to look into when purchasing a blood glucose meter.

  1. Quick results.
  2. Requiring very small amount of blood sample.
  3. Meter size.
  4. Numbers on screen clearly visible.
  5. Can use blood samples from a number of places for monitoring blood sugar.
  6. Enables tracking of date as well as the time of test results.
  7. Insurance coverage and cost of supplies.
  8. How user-friendly are the meter and the test strips.

Monitoring Blood Glucose Level

Monitoring your blood glucose is an easy procedure using the following items:

  1. A meter.
  2. Test strip.
  3. Lancet.
  4. A lancing device.

Your health care provider will instruct you on the steps to be taken with the meter of your choice. Below are instructions on the use of such a meter:

  1. Thoroughly clean your hands and wipe your fingers or site for pricking with alcohol. Let the site dry before pricking it.
  2. Using a lancing device, prick the chosen site to draw out blood.
  3. Put the blood on a test strip.
  4. Put the test strip into the blood glucose meter as instructed.
  5. The blood glucose meter will display your blood glucose level in a few seconds.

 

How To Test Your Blood Glucose(Sugar) Levels – Video Guide

 

Supplies You Need

  1. A blood glucose meter which reads and displays your blood glucose level.
  2. A test strip for taking your blood sample to the meter.
  3. A lancet or small needle which is attached to a lancing device to prick a finger to draw out blood for the test strip to receive.
  4. A lancing device which sends the lancet down to prick the finger when you press a button. The depth at which the needle pricks the skin can be adjusted. Initially, use the moderate depth to see how much blood is drawn. If there is insufficient blood drawn, adjust it by turning the number up so that the needle pricks deeper and more blood is drawn. On the other hand, to reduce the amount of blood drawn, turn the number down so that the lancet pricks shallower and less blood is drawn.
  5. Washing and cleaning supplies, such as soap and water or alcohol wipes, to have your fingers clean.
  6. Control solution for determining how accurate your test strips are. There is already a certain amount of sugar in the control solution. When the test strip with this solution on it is tested, the reading should be the same as that which is stated on the bottle.
  7. A check strip is provided with some meters to ensure that your meter is functioning well.
  8. A user manual give you information on your meter. After the first reading, it is advisable to keep it for future reference on matters concerning your meter.
  9. Warranty for the meter should be completed and sent as soon as a copy of it has been made.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you are unable to obtain any blood from your finger:

  1. Put your hands into warm water and rub them together.
  2. Allow your hands to hang loosely down below your waist.
  3. Squeeze the site for pricking gently for at least three seconds.
  4. Put your finger on a stable surface, such as the top of a table to prevent any movement during pricking of finger.
  5. If your lancing device has depth adjustment for the needle, turn it to have the needle prick deeper.
  6. A new lancet must be used for each blood glucose test.

Hurts too much?

  1. If your lancing device has depth adjustment for the needle, adjust it so that the needle does not prick too deep.
  2. A new lancet must be used for each blood glucose test.
  3. Change to a finer lancet or another type of lancing device.
  4. Change the site of the pricking; try the sides of fingertips instead of the top of the fingertips.
  5. Try other pricking sites on the arm or thigh.
  6. Find out what other suggestions your doctor may give.

Error message?

  1. Go through the user manual again; tackling wrong codes and problems are given in the manual.
  2. Make certain there is enough blood on the strip.
  3. Is the blood placed correctly on the strip?
  4. For further information, contact manufacturer using toll-free number given on the meter or in the manual.
  5. Ask for suggestions from your doctor or your health care team.
*** Posted By Natasha A.Nada ***