Your Guide To Meters To Achieve an Acceptable Level for Blood Glucose

If you've just started to manage your diabetes (or pre-diabetic health), the first thing you need to learn is how to test and maintain acceptable levels for blood glucose. Most diabetics check their blood glucose readings twice a day, near breakfast and dinner. Acceptable blood glucose levels fall between 70-130 mg/dL (before meals) and 180 mg/dL (after meals). Fingertips are a prevalent blood sample site; however, many modern blood glucose test meters are compatible with alternate sites such as the forearm or thigh. Blood samples are approximately 1.0 µl (though it varies by monitor) and are obtained by the prick of a small needle (or lancet). You can check if you are at an acceptable level for blood glucose with a blood glucose reading from a test meter in less than one minute.

If it is your first time using a blood glucose test meter, you will want to be sure that you're using it correctly. Acceptable blood glucose level readings depend on close adherence to a few basic procedural steps.

How to Use Blood Glucose Test Meters:

1. Make sure you have your supplies. A standard blood glucose test meter kit should include an electronic monitor, lancing device, lancets, lancing caps and test strips.
2. Be sure if your blood glucose test meter needs to be coded, you have entered the correct code. Many monitors are auto-coded or come with a coding key to simplify this process; otherwise, follow the instructions that came with your device. Accurate coding is the only way to achieve acceptable readings for your blood glucose levels.
3. Wash your hands. This is important regardless of where you are going to collect a sample, but imperative for hand-based testing sites. Using alcohol is not recommended since this can affect your blood sugar readings If you are testing your arm or thigh with a blood glucose test meter, wash the area in advance.
4. Prick test site. Be sure to follow any instructions that came with your monitor. Use a lancet that will allow you a large enough sample size for an accurate test. This will ensure not only that you receive an acceptable blood glucose level reading, while having a minimum of pain in the process. When taking a sample from an alternate site, you may want to massage the area prior to testing to increase blood flow. Generally, a 28 gauge lancet will allow you to secure an adequate sample size. A larger or smaller lancet may be used depending on your tolerance for pain and need for additional blood.
5. Touch test strip to blood. The test strip should already be inserted into the blood glucose test meter before you have used the lancet to draw the blood sample. The leading edge of the strip should make contact with the blood sample, rather than your skin. You may wish to ask a friend or family member for assistance for your attempts.
6. View and record your results. Most monitors automatically show your results after a predetermined interval has passed; an acceptable waiting time for blood glucose level results is between 5-50 seconds. Despite the fact that almost all modern blood glucose test meters store your data, it is important to get in the habit of recording your blood glucose readings separately. Typically, a formatted logbook is provided. This may come with your blood glucose test meter or be provided by your provider.
7. Safely clean, dispose, and store your supplies. Take care of your equipment. Wipe items down between use, and store them in the carrying case provided with the blood glucose test meter. Be responsible in the disposal of the used test strips and lancets after blood glucose readings.

Once you know how to safely and accurately take blood glucose readings, you should follow the blood testing regime your doctor has suggested using your blood glucose test meter to track your blood glucose levels. Keeping an accurate record of your test results (including notes about meal times, activities, etc.) is the best way to control your Diabetes and prevent life threatening complications. Seeing how your lifestyle choices affect your acceptable level for blood glucose will help you understand and manage the disease. These records also allow you to provide in-depth data to your doctors.

American Diabetes Services helps you choose the right blood glucose test meter for your unique needs by providing consumer reviews, pros and cons, and a comparison sheet for blood glucose test meters. You can also fill out a short form to find out if we can provide you with a free glucometer.