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How Can I Find Out if I Have High Blood Sugar?

High blood sugar makes people feel tired and thirsty, and it increases their urine output. Also known as high glucose, high blood sugar is the result of insulin not being processed in the correct way by the pancreas. Damage can occur to parts of the body such as the heart, pancreas, liver or kidneys if the high blood sugar problem isn't corrected.

Things You'll Need

  • Test strips for a glucose meter
  • Glucose meter
  • Alcohol pads
  • Lancing device recommended to work with your glucose meter
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Instructions

  1. Blood Sugar Testing by Your Medical Care Professional

    • 1

      Set an appointment with your medical care professional to discuss your concerns about your blood sugar level.

    • 2

      Write a list of medications that you take and questions you have about blood sugar before you go to the appointment. Include information concerning your immediate family medical history and whether or not family members have high blood sugar.

    • 3

      Request that your doctor perform blood tests for high blood sugar. You may be required to take a fasting blood test, which the doctor will set up for you. The doctor will recommend any other blood tests that he may want you to have and set up the proper laboratory paperwork.

    • 4

      Give your doctor your list of medications you take and your family medical history.

    • 5

      Ask your doctor the questions you wrote about high blood sugar.

    Blood Glucose Meter Testing

    • 6

      Ensure that the blood glucose test strips can be used for the glucose meter that you have on hand. The label on the box of test strips should provide that information.

    • 7

      Place one test strip in the glucose meter.

    • 8

      Clean the spot on your fingertip where you plan to insert the blood test lancing device with an alcohol pad.

    • 9

      Prick your cleaned fingertip with the lancing device.

    • 10

      Place a drop of blood on the blood test strip.

    • 11

      Dispose of the lancing device in a container marked for medical waste.

    • 12

      Watch your blood sugar results appear on the glucose meter.

    • 13

      Consult the glucose meter directions to determine whether or not your blood sugar level is high.

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