How to Read Blood Sugar Levels

A number of body processes regulate levels of sugar, or glucose, in blood. Patients and doctors use glucose meters, or "glucometers," for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as diabetes that affect these regulatory processes.



Glucometers usually have simple digital displays that indicate the glucose level in a small blood sample as a digital number on a screen. Doctors interpret blood glucose levels according to patient characteristics, sample timing, any treatments administered, and food or fluids ingested. Stable patients monitor their own blood glucose levels with instruction and supervision from their doctor.

Things You'll Need

• Glucometer
• Glucometer test strips
• Lancets
• Glucose normal range established in consultation with doctor

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Instructions

• 1

  Obtain a blood sample. If monitoring blood glucose at home, the patient may take his own sample with a lancet or small needle supplied for this purpose. If done in a hospital or clinic, a technician may draw blood with a similar device or may draw blood into a blood collection device. Skip steps 2 and 3 if a technician obtains the blood glucose reading.

• 2

  Ensure that the glucometer is periodically calibrated following manufacturer instructions. Calibration ensures that test readings are accurate. In general, calibration involves inserting the correct end of a test strip into a slot on the glucometer, then placing the sample end of the strip in a test solution and comparing the results displayed as a digital readout on the glucometer to a range provided by the manufacturer. If the reading is not within the accepted range, then discard the glucometer or follow manufacturer's directions.

• 3

  Follow manufacturer directions for determination of blood glucose. In general, insert the correct end of a test strip into a slot on the glucometer and place a drop of blood on the sample end of the strip, often by touching the strip with a finger after drawing blood with a lancet. A reading should appear usually within a minute.

• 4

  Record results, reported as milligrams/decilitre, or "mg/dl," indicating the concentration of blood glucose. Compare results with normal blood glucose ranges provided by your physician.

  In general, according to MayoClinic.com, blood glucose of patients with diabetes should be within the following ranges: between 90 and 130 mg/dl after an eight-hour fast; between 70 and 130 mg/dl before meals; and less than 180 mg/dl one or two hours after meals. If you are monitoring your blood glucose and your doctor agrees with these ranges, make adjustments in diet, exercise, or medication type or dosage as directed if your blood glucose levels fall outside of these ranges.