Correct Method to Test Blood Glucose

Blood glucose is a measurement of the amount of sugar, or glucose, present in an individual's bloodstream at any given time. It is a main indicator of overall health, and abnormal glucose readings can signal the presence of a number of conditions, including diabetes. Correct testing of blood glucose is vital to the proper diagnosis and monitoring of these ailments.

Testing for Diagnosis

• According to the nonprofit testing service Lab Tests Online, you may undergo blood glucose testing either to diagnose an ailment or to monitor an ailment's effects once it has been detected. If your doctor is trying to determine if you have diabetes, he will begin by ordering a fasting blood glucose test. At the start of this procedure, you will need to avoid eating any food for a period of 8 to 10 hours. At the end of this time, your doctor will draw a blood sample to see how much glucose is present in your blood. Your levels are considered normal if you have between 70 and 100 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). If your reading is above 140 mg/dL, your doctor will make a preliminary finding of potential diabetes. However, before confirming this finding, he will perform at least one more fasting blood glucose test.

  Your doctor may also order a procedure called an oral glucose test. The first part of this procedure consists of a standard fasting glucose test. After your doctor takes an initial reading of your glucose level, you will then drink a high-sugar liquid that contains between 75 and 100 g of glucose. Over the next three hours, your blood glucose level will be tested at regular intervals. If you do not have diabetes, your glucose levels will initially rise significantly, then return to normal as your body produces more insulin to process the sugary liquid. If you have diabetes, your glucose levels will return to normal much more slowly as a result of insufficient or nonexistent insulin production.

Testing for Daily Monitoring

• If you have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, or take multiple daily insulin injections, you will need to monitor your blood glucose level several times a day to make sure it stays within an acceptable range. Many types of portable blood glucose monitors have been developed for this purpose. Prior to testing, you should wash your hands, then place a test strip inside your monitor. You will then use a needle-like device called a lancet to draw a drop of blood, which is then placed in contact with your test strip. Depending on the design of your meter, you may draw this blood drop from your fingertip, thigh, forearm or hand. After a certain interval, the results of your test will appear on the readout screen of your monitor. As a general guideline, your blood glucose before a meal should be between 70 and 130 mg/dL. After a meal, your reading should be below 180 mg/dL. Consult your doctor to learn more about blood glucose testing procedures.