How to Test your blood sugar

If you are diagnosed with diabetes odds are you will need to test your blood sugar at some time.

Insulin dependent diabetes Mellitus, or Diabetes type 1 affects
Typically these are people who are born with the disease and are often called brittle diabetics.

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or diabetes type 2 affects
The causes are typically a sedentary lifestyle and obesity.
Many times these patients can reverse their diabetes symptoms and return to health if they follow a regimen of diet and exercise

Diabetes type 1 is managed with insulin and therefore requires frequent blood glucose testing and insulin injections. These patients must be very careful with their diet and lifestyle choices in order to prevent diabetic coma or insulin shock.

Diabetes type 2 is frequently treated with medications such as Glucotrol, Glucophage or Glipizide or one (or more) of the other commonly prescribed diabetes medications, and if allowed to progress Insulin therapy. If not managed properly these patients may end up requiring supplemental insulin or eventually become insulin dependant as a result of their pancreas no longer responding with natural insulin when the body is experiencing hyperglycemia.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• glucose testing meter
• test strips
• control solution
• lancets
• pen delivery device
• alcohol wipes
• glucose diary
• napkin

1. 
    
   accucheck meter with test strip. Meter is turned off in this picture

   turn on meter and check to see if the code on the meter matches the code on your test strip vial.
   
   If you have not recently tested the accuracy of your meter with the control solution please do so at this time. You want to be sure that the reading you are getting from your meter is correct so that if necessary you give the correct dose of insulin if needed.
   
   Turn on meter if it is not still on and insert test strip

2. 
    
   lancet used in blood glucose monitoring

   Load your lancet pen device with a fresh lancet and set spring loaded delivery so that it will properly prick finger when the button is pressed.
   use alcohol pad to clean area to be used for blood sample and allow to dry.
   
   Press lancet pen against skin and push the button or otherwise deliver the finger stick to obtain the drop of blood necessary for proper blood glucose testing.

3. 
    
   test blood

   Place meter with testing strip to drop of blood at the point indicated on the strip and wait for meter to analyze sample and obtain blood sugar reading.
   
   firmly press napkin over finger stick area to stop bleeding.

4. 
    
   record your results to take to your doctor at your next appointment

   Record your blood sugar reading in your glucose diary
   
   If your reading is above the number your doctor has prescribed your insulin for proceed to step 2.
   If that number is lower than the blood glucose number your doctor has prescribed insulin for then you are finished and no insulin is needed at this time.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wait till the alcohol has dried on your finger, do not wave finger or blow on alcohol to dry it quicker or you may get inaccurate results
• If your blood sugar readings are consistently low or high, you should call your doctor to re-evaluate your medications
• Failure to follow your doctors advice on your Diabetes management can lead to kidney disease and failure, pancreatitis, and worse!
• Be very careful with your foot care, small injuries can lead to severe infections and amputation!

Resources

• lose weight now, Fat Burning furnace
• fat loss for idiots
• Diabetes Reversing breakthrough
• Diabetes control made easy

[billips]

on 11/30/2009 This is not a pleasant task but has certainly become easier over the years - it is so vital for ensuring health - clearly given wise advice for testing your blood sugar - 5* - B.

[lighthouse1958]

on 10/18/2009 I also have diabetes and have to do all of the above. It's really a hassle but I feel I did this to myself. My doctor told me what I had to do and I probably could come off all medication. Exercise, watch my diet, go off sweets also completely. I'm working on all of these now. Great steps. 5*

[amyrah]

on 10/13/2009 awesome

[shenandoah]

on 10/4/2009 Great info on how to test your blood sugar. Very helpful and thorough. My husband tests his and doesnt even have diabetes.

[b52gflyer]

on 10/3/2009 I have type 2 and am able to control it with diet. I also take a blood thinner, have atreal fibulation and am overweight. What all that means is I cannot have salt, sugar, dark green veggies, aspirin, white food any anything I like. But it is better then the alternative, like being allegeric to 0-2 in the air.