How to Prepare for a Blood Glucose Test

Used mostly to test for diabetes and blood sugar related conditions, blood glucose tests read a blood sample and quantify its glucose levels. Blood glucose levels must remain in balance, because levels too high can lead to organ damage, and levels too low can cause lack of energy, fainting or even a coma. Blood glucose tests are often performed in doctor's offices to test for conditions such as diabetes, but they can also be performed at home. Although the prospect of such a test can be frightening, the process can be much easier with just a few preparations.

Things You'll Need

• Glucose meter
• Test strips
• Lancing device
• Alcohol pad

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare all blood glucose testing equipment for use if you are testing at home. Make sure you have a sterilized lancing device for drawing blood. Have an alcohol pad ready to sterilize the lancing site. Load your blood glucose testing meter with the meter-specific testing strip.

• 2

  Choose a testing site for the blood glucose test when performing a test at home. Fingertips are considered best; blood from them shows changes in glucose levels more readily than blood from other places. Some meters allow readings from other sites, like the forearm and thigh. Follow the directions for your meter.

• 3

  Meet prior conditions for your individual test. A fasting test requires the user to eat and drink nothing but water for at least eight hours before the test. Postprandial tests require a normal meal exactly two hours before testing. Some tests have no eating precautions.

• 4

  Prepare the testing site for the blood glucose test. Swab the skin with the alcohol pad, wiping in a circular pattern for 15 seconds. Allow the alcohol to sit on the skin for another 15 seconds before testing.

• 5

  Prepare yourself for the lancing procedure before performing the test at home. Sticking the lancing device into your skin will undoubtedly hurt, so steel yourself. If you feel unable to use the lancing device yourself, find a trusted friend or family member to do it for you.