How to Measure Your Own Glucose Levels

People with diabetes are encouraged to keep their blood glucose levels, also known as blood sugar levels, as close to normal as they can. Monitoring glucose levels is an important way to keep diabetes in check. Keeping track of glucose readings is key to developing a successful diabetes management plan with a health care provider or diabetes educator. Blood glucose is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). Target blood glucose levels for an adult with diabetes are between 70 and 130 mg/dl before meals, and less than 180 mg/dl after meals.

Things You'll Need

• Alcohol swab
• Blood glucose meter
• Lancet and/or lancing device
• Test strips

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Instructions

Checking Blood Glucose

• 1

  Wash the hand or part of the forearm or thigh that blood will be drawn from thoroughly with an alcohol swab to prevent a faulty reading due to external contamination.

• 2

  Prepare the meter by readying a fresh test strip. Different meters may vary in the way they are designed, so determine whether the meter being used needs a test strip inserted manually, or if the strips are stored inside the meter. Meters that store test strips internally will expose a fresh strip when prompted.

• 3

  Use a lancet, which has a short, sharp tip, to prick the prepared area. Spring-loaded lancing devices are designed to make the prick quicker and less painful. When a drop of blood is produced on the skin, insert the drop into the end of the test strip. Make sure a full drop is used, otherwise the meter may not be able to accurately read the glucose level.

• 4

  Wait for the meter to calculate the blood glucose level. The time it takes may vary depending on the meter. If the meter gives an error message or a number seems inaccurate, try again with a new test strip and new drop of blood.

• 5

  Record the glucose level shown on the meter. Some meters automatically keep a history of blood glucose tests, but others don't. If the meter does not keep a record, write down the results. Use the record to determine how food, exercise and stress affect glucose levels. Work with a doctor or diabetes educator to develop a personalized diabetes management plan based on the record of results.