How to Measure Blood Sugar Levels

Monitoring blood sugar levels in diabetes is very important for the successful management of the condition. It will help you determine how certain foods and activities affect your blood sugar levels. This will help your health care provider assess how effective your current treatment is. If you have Type 1 diabetes, it may be recommended that you test your blood sugar levels up to three times a day. For Type 2 diabetes, once a day is usually sufficient. The best times to check your blood sugar levels are either before meals, one to two hours after meals or before bedtime.

Things You'll Need

• Glucose monitor
• Lancing device
• Lancets
• Test strips
• Record Book

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Instructions

• 1

  Code your meter. Some monitors don't require coding, whilst others need to be coded every time you open a new vial of test strips. Some have a chip that needs to be inserted into the monitor for coding. Follow the instructions provided in the handbook.

• 2

  Wash your hands. Use soap or an antibacterial reading. It's important to wash your hands as you may have substances on your hand that could result in a inaccurate reading. You can also use alcoholic wipes, but ensure that the area is allowed to dry.

• 3

  Insert test strip into glucose meter. They test strip can only go in one direction. Once inserted, you will be signaled to add a drop of blood.

• 4

  Use the lancing device to prick your fingertip or an alternative site. You can adjust the depth of penetration by moving the dial, and then press the button to discharge the lancet. If your lancing device is equipped with a plastic tip to use on alternative sites to draw blood, set the penetration level higher. Place the plastic cap over the area. Release the button.

• 5

  Touch blood onto test strip. Bring your finger to the test strip. Allow a drop to fall onto the strip by holding your finger down to encourage a droplet to form.

• 6

  View and record results. Some monitors track the blood sugar reading, time and date. Store the results. For those that don't, manually write down the results in the enclosed record book so you can show your heath care provider or diabetes educator on your next appointment. Make any additional notes on your record book, such if exercise was undertaken or if you eat your meals earlier or later that usual.