By Madsen Lake
If you have diabetes, you need to monitor your blood glucose level to ensure it is within your target range. Your blood glucose level must be in a healthy range. If it gets too low, you can lose the ability to function and think normally. If it gets too high and stays high, it can cause complications and damage to your body.
You must log your test results and bring them to your healthcare provider. This way, you can have a good picture of how your body is responding to your diabetes care plan. Blood glucose testing can be done on your own, depending on what your doctor recommends. But, generally, it can benefit you if you are taking insulin, are pregnant, having low blood glucose levels, not controlling your sugar levels, or having ketones from high blood glucose levels.
How to Check your Levels
You can check your glucose levels by pricking your fingertips and using a blood glucose meter or a continuous glucose monitor to measure the glucose level. After you wash your hands, insert a test strip into the meter. Then, use a lancing device on a side of your fingertip to draw out blood. Touch and hold the test strip’s edge to the drop of the blood and wait for the result. You can see your sugar level on the display.
Tips for Successful Blood Sugar Monitoring
Make sure to work with your doctor to plan your routine. You may be asked to check your levels while you are fasting, before and after meals, or before bedtime. Every person has a unique situation so you must decide on an arrangement that works before you. After setting a schedule, make checking your blood a part of your daily routine.
Moreover, consider making a journal to log your test results each time. Some applications are available to help you track this information and keep a running tally of your average sugar levels. Also, record the time of the day you are testing and how long it has been since you last ate. Such information will help your healthcare provider track your sugar level and can be essential when diagnosing the cause of your sugar level spike.
If you are concerned about the accuracy of your blood glucose meter, get a recommendation from your doctor. Also, if you want to minimize the pain of testing, pick a system that has a lancing device specifically designed for comfort.
