How to Read the Results of Blood Glucose Test Strips

Blood sugar testing will help you control your blood sugar levels so you can live a healthy life. The glucometer or glucose blood sugar meter will give you results in less than five seconds. The glucometer consists of a meter, lancet for piercing the skin, and blood glucose test strips. The blood glucose test strips draw in the blood so the meter can calculate sugar levels and produce an immediate reading.

Things You'll Need

• Glucometer or blood glucose meter
• Alcohol swabs
• Lancing device
• Blood glucose test strips
• Log

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Instructions

How to Take a Blood Sample

• 1

  Set up your glucometer. Some glucometers require you to enter a code number before use. Turn on the glucometer and insert a test strip. Some glucometers turn on when the test strip is inserted. The display screen will show a line or lines. Enter the number on the test strip vial onto the screen and press the ok button. Remove the test strip. You are now ready to test your blood sugar levels.

• 2

  Re-insert the test strip. Swab the finger tip with an alcohol swab. It is important to have clean hands or the readings may be affected. Prick the finger with the lancing device and squeeze so you have a drop of blood on your finger. You are now ready to apply the blood glucose test strip.

• 3

  Hold the test strip near the drop of blood so it is drawn into the channel located on the test strip. Once the channel is filled with blood, the meter begins a countdown from five to one second. Your blood glucose level appears on the display in milligrams per deciliter.

How to Read the Results

• 4

  Compare your readings with the range provided by your doctor or dietitian. A normal range of readings before a meal (a preprandial plasma reading) is between 70 and 130 milligrams per deciliter, according to the American Diabetes Association. This range is for diabetics. An average reading for someone who is not diabetic is 100 mg/dl.

• 5

  Test your blood sugar at various times during the day. Blood sugar levels after a meal (postprandial plasma readings) are higher than readings before a meal. According to the American Diabetes Association, readings after a meal that are below 180 milligrams per deciliter or mg/dl are normal for a diabetic.

• 6

  Know the reading levels for low blood glucose and high blood glucose. Test results lower than 70 mg/dl may mean hypoglycemia or low blood glucose. Readings higher than 180 mg/dl may mean high blood glucose. If blood glucose readings are below 70 mg/dl, eat one tablespoon of sugar, honey, or maple syrup, two tablespoons of raisins, three or four glucose tablets, or drink one-half cup of juice or regular soda. Wait 15 minutes and take the reading again. If blood sugar levels are above 180 mg/dl, walk around for 10 or 15 minutes and take the reading again.

• 7

  Keep a log. The purpose of the log is to record the blood sugar readings, the time of day, amount of exercise, and the types of food you ingest. This will help you monitor the glucose levels and strive to keep readings at recommended levels.