Diabetes Monitoring

Using a Blood Glucose Meter Properly

Jun 2, 2009 Jacqueline Trovato

Diabetes is a disease where a person's blood glucose levels (sugars) are too high.

The hormone insulin helps to metabolize glucose so it can be transferred to cells to provide energy. People with Type 1 diabetes don’t make the insulin they need. Those with Type 2 diabetes may have the same problem but typically their bodies don’t use the insulin efficiently. In both cases, the glucose stays in the blood and can cause serious problems, damaging eyes, kidneys, the heart, circulatory system and nerves.

Monitor Blood Glucose Levels Regularly

Anyone with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels on a daily basis, often several times a day. This is usually done by placing a drop of blood from a skin prick onto a glucose strip and then inserting the strip into a glucose meter, a small machine that provides a digital readout of the blood glucose level.Health care providers agree that blood glucose monitors offer substantial benefits to their patients with diabetes. Urine testing for glucose is no longer considered to be a reliable method for monitoring.

It is important to monitor blood sugar on a regular basis. The doctor will provide guidance on how often to check blood sugar levels. Many people start by checking their blood sugar two times each day; typically before breakfast and before dinner. After a few weeks, some people are able to measure their blood sugar level only two or three times a week.

How to Use a Glucose Meter

Patients should always follow their doctor's advice and the instructions that come with the glucose meter. The steps below are general instructions for using a glucose meter.

• Wash hands and dry them well before doing the test.
• Clean the area to prick with an alcohol wipe. With many glucose meters, a drop of blood is taken from the fingertip. With some meters, the forearm, thigh or the fleshy part of the hand can also be used.
• Prick the site with a sterile lancet to get a drop of blood. If pricking the fingertip, prick it on one side, not on the pad to lessen pain.
• Place the drop of blood on the test strip.
• Follow the instructions for inserting the test strip into the glucose meter.
• The meter will register a number indicating blood sugar level.

Recording Readings

Record keeping in a written log is almost as important as blood glucose monitoring itself. The doctor can provide a log book for this purpose. Some people prefer to use computer data management systems. Whatever is used, be sure to take the recordings to each doctor appointment. Also record other important factors such as eating, activity, and timing.

Also keep track of what was eaten, when medicine or insulin was taken, and activity levels during the day. This will indicate how these things affect blood sugar levels.

Readings should correspond closely (within 15 percent) to lab readings taken at the same time by the doctor. If the readings go beyond this margin, something is wrong. Patients should talk beforehand with their doctor about what is a good blood sugar level and what to do if the blood sugar level is not within that range.

Monitor Accuracy

Poor readings can occur if a glucose monitor is dirty, old, or stored at extremes of temperature or humidity; if strips are outdated; or if there is a problem in testing technique. A monitor may not be calibrated to the lot of strips that are being used. Be sure strips are calibrated or coded to the particular model. All monitors currently on the market have a fairly high degree of accuracy if used properly. The monitor may become less accurate over time, so it is important to test the glucose monitor once a month to ensure it is providing an accurate reading. This can be done by checking glucose on the meter at the same time a patient is having blood drawn at the doctor’s office. The two samples should be taken within a minute or two of each other to get the most accurate comparison.

Managing diabetes is important. With the help of a glucose monitor patients can accurately assess their blood glucose levels and prevent the complications of diabetes.

For more information visit the American Diabetes Association’s website.

The copyright of the article Diabetes Monitoring in General Medicine is owned by Jacqueline Trovato. Permission to republish Diabetes Monitoring in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Blood Glucose Meter