How to Keep Track of Blood Glucose Levels

Diabetes is a group of diseases caused by the pancreas' inability to produce insulin, a hormone that helps transport glucose from the bloodstream to other cells. People with diabetes often have low insulin and high blood sugar levels. A number of tests are used to measure blood sugar levels to determine if you have diabetes and to monitor your blood sugar levels if you do have diabetes.

Things You'll Need

• Blood
• Needle
• Band
• Antiseptic
• Bandage
• Substance with glucose
• Lancet
• Glucose meter
• Logbook
• Test strip

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Instructions

• 1

  Go to a doctor to get a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This tests for diabetes, as well as monitors your blood sugar level if you have diabetes. The A1C tests your average blood sugar level over two to three months. During the test, a health care worker takes a sample of your blood and sends it to a laboratory for testing. If your blood sugar level is found to be 6.5 percent or more, you are probably diabetic, according to the Mayo Clinic.

• 2

  If you're pregnant or have a hemoglobin variant, your doctor will perform the random blood glucose test. Your doctor can perform this test at any time of the day, even if you've had something to eat or drink. If you're found to have a glucose level of 200 mg/dL or more, you probably have diabetes, according to an article by Bobbie Hasselbring on Discovery Health.com.

• 3

  Instead of a random glucose test, a doctor may give you a fasting glucose test. Before this test, don't eat or drink anything for eight hours because certain foods, especially carbohydrates, can elevate your blood sugar level. If you're found to have a glucose level of 126 mg/dL or more, you're probably diabetic or have prediabetes, according to MedlinePlus.

• 4

  To test how well your body is able to metabolize glucose, a medical worker will perform a glucose tolerance test. Don't eat or drink anything for eight hours before the test. During the test, a health care worker will perform a blood test between one and 2 hours after you drink a substance containing glucose, according to MedlinePlus. If you're found to have a glucose level of 200 mg/dL or more, you probably have diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

• 5

  If you have diabetes, you need to check your blood sugar level up to four times a day or week, depending on your medication and doctor's instructions. During a self-monitoring glucose test, insert a test strip into a glucose meter, and use a lancet to draw blood from your fingertip onto the test strip. Use the glucose meter to get a reading of your blood sugar level, and record it in a logbook.