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Self Blood Glucose Testing
- You can’t tell what your blood glucose levels are just by the way you feel!
- Testing blood glucose levels helps you manage your diabetes.
- Blood glucose meters are relatively inexpensive and easy to use
- Blood glucose tests should be recorded or downloaded from the meter
- The information that you get from testing should be used to help you and your doctor or diabetes team to manage your diabetes
- Targets for blood glucose levels will vary according to individual needs and should be discussed with your doctor or diabetes team
When should you test blood glucose levels
- How often people test should also be determined by the doctor and diabetes team in consultation with you
- People with Type 2 diabetes should test at different times over a day in order to see what the patterns of their blood glucose levels are
- People on insulin need to test regularly in order to adjust insulin, and to detect and prevent hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia – this is usually every day about 3 to 4 times a day, efore meals and before bed
- It is important to test before driving if taking insulin and some medications for diabetes
- It is also important to test before and after exercise, and frequently when sick
- Remember that testing is an important tool to help you manage your diabetes effectively. It is also important to use the information that testing gives in making decisions about food, exercise and insulin.
Making sense of your tests
- It’s important to keep a log book and write down anything that might affect your blood glucose such as food, exercise or illness
- Bring your log book (or a print-out from your meter) with you when you visit your doctor or diabetes team to discuss your management
- What levels should you be aiming for? This depends on your individual situation. You need to discuss this with your doctor or diabetes team.
Why can blood glucose results vary so much
- Blood glucose levels are changing all the time
- It’s not unusual to have occasional high blood glucose levels. Some causes are:
- Illness
- Following a hypo
- Stress
Tips for Testing
Before testing:
- Wash hands in warm soapy water
- Dry hands well
- Gently shake hand
- Massage from base of hand to the tip of the finger
- Use the side of the finger for testing, not the pad of finger
Testing Technique
- Make sure enough blood is drawn into strip to fill the space
- Record blood glucose levels, or have meter downloaded
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