ManorDrug.com How to Check Your Blood Sugar

You may need to check the amount of sugar in your blood if you have diabetes (die-UH-b-tees) mellitus (mel-IT-us). Sugar is also called glucose and gives your body energy. Diabetes mellitus ("sugar diabetes") is a problem with how your body uses sugar and insulin. With diabetes mellitus, your body does not make enough insulin (in-SUL-in)or your body does not use insulin the way it should. Without insulin, sugar builds up in your blood. You could become very sick if the sugar in your body is not controlled.
You feel better and decrease the risk of health problems when your blood sugar is near normal. But you cannot always tell what your blood sugar level is by the way you feel. Testing your blood sugar is the only way to know how much sugar you have in your blood. Testing will also help you learn how food, activity levels, and medicines may change your sugar levels.
High blood sugar levels may increase your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, eye problems, kidney problems, and infections (in-FEK-shuns). Testing your blood sugar is very important if you take insulin medicine or if you are a pregnant woman with diabetes. You should also check your blood sugar if you have diabetes and are sick. Another reason to check your blood sugar is if you often have bad low blood sugar reactions.

How do I check the sugar in my blood? There are 2 ways to test the amount of sugar in your blood. You may test your blood sugar by visual testing or meter testing. Your caregiver will help you choose the kind of testing that is best for you. The following steps will help you do either of these tests.

Visual testing:
- Small plastic strips are used to do visual testing. These strips have a soft pad on one end. There are chemicals in the pad which change color when they touch sugar. Your eyes must be able to see slight changes among shades of colors on a color chart. The results given by using visual test strips are accurate if you can see the slight changes in the colors on the color chart.
- Put a drop of blood onto the pad of the strip. Wait the exact amount of time given in the package directions. The test result will be wrong if you do not wait the right amount of time. The directions may ask you to wipe or blot the blood from the plastic strip.
- Match the colors on the pad to the colors on the strip bottle. The color chart on the strip bottle will tell you the range your blood sugar is in. An example is that the chart might show your blood sugar level is between 80 mg/dL and 120 mg/dL. Or your blood sugar level may be between 180 mg/dL and 240 mg/dL. Visual testing cannot give you an exact blood sugar reading.
Meter testing:
- Meter testing is when you use a glucose meter to test your blood sugar. Glucose meters are small hand-held machines that usually run on batteries. This kind of test gives you the most exact reading of your blood sugar level. Meters use strips like the ones used for visual testing. But the meter can "read" the color change on the test strip better than your eyes. Because of this a glucose meter may give a more correct reading than a visual test.
- There are many kinds of glucose meters and most are easy to use. Each glucose meter is slightly different.
  - You must read the directions for your glucose meter and use it correctly every time. Using it correctly will give you the most correct blood sugar reading. Glucose meters can usually give a blood sugar reading in 5 seconds to 2 minutes.
  - You can use blood from other areas of your body (such as the arm or thigh) with some meters. The meters that use blood from other areas of your body usually need less blood. Some meters tell you if there is not enough blood on the strip. The meter may also tell you if the strip is not correctly put into the machine. Each glucose meter uses a certain kind of strip or cartridge. Some meters want you to time the test and wipe or blot the strip.
- Caregivers will help you decide which glucose meter is best for you. Glucose meters can be bought at drug or medical supply stores. Ask yourself the following questions when you shop for a glucose meter.
  - Is the meter the right size for you? Do you want to carry it in your purse or in your pocket?
  - Do you want to use blood from your fingers? Do you want to use blood from other areas of your body such as your arm or thigh?
  - Is the meter easy for you to use? Are the buttons easy to work? Do you understand how to work the meter?
  - Is it easy to get supplies for the meter if you are traveling?
  - Does the meter have a "memory" which keeps track of your blood sugar levels?
  - Is it easy for you to see the numbers in the "window"?

How do I get the blood to test my blood sugar? There are different ways to get the drop of blood. The easiest and least painful way is to use a lancet (lan-SET) device. This device uses a special needle called a lancet to make sure that the prick is deep enough but not too deep every time you use it. Some glucose meters come with a lancet device. You can also buy a lancet device at drug or medical supply stores. Follow the steps below to get a drop of blood to test.

Use a different spot to get blood each time you test your blood sugar. You should also use a new lancet each time.
Clean the area to be pricked with soap and warm water and let it dry. Do not use alcohol because it can crack and dry your skin.
If you are using your finger, choose a spot on the side of your fingertip to prick. You will have less pain if you use the side of your fingertip.
Prick your fingertip or other area with the lancet. Do not squeeze the area. The blood should drip out on its own.
Put the drop of blood on the strip.
Carefully follow the directions for visual or glucose meter testing.
Use gauze or a tissue to wipe your fingertip clean and hold it over the area until the bleeding has stopped.
Throw away the lancet in a container with a lid. Keep the container away from others, such as children.

Do the glucose strips need any special care? Keep the strips away from heat, cold, or moisture (wetness). Do not take a strip out of the container until you are ready to use it. Put the lid tightly on the container afterwards. Check the date on the strip container to be sure the strips are still OK to use. Using outdated strips may not give you a correct blood glucose level. Do not use test strips that are damaged, wet, or bent. Use the brand name of glucose strip suggested by your caregiver. Cheaper generic strips may not give the correct blood glucose level. Check to make sure the correct test strip code is entered into the meter.

How often should I test my blood sugar? You and your caregiver will decide how often you should check your blood sugar. Tell your caregiver what kind of a testing schedule works best for you. Some people need to check their blood sugar 4 to 6 times a day or more. But you may need to check your blood sugar less often. Blood sugar levels may need to be checked more often if you are sick or under stress. If you have changed your daily routine you may also need to check your blood sugar levels more often.

When should I check my blood sugar? You and your caregiver will decide when you should check your blood sugar levels. You may need to check your blood sugar levels at the following times:

Before breakfast.
Before lunch.
Before dinner.
At bedtime.
2 hours after you eat.

Should I keep a record of my blood glucose levels? Keep a record of the results each time you test your blood glucose level. Write down the date, the time of the test, and the result. You should also write down the time you took your insulin or diabetes pills. Record the kind and amount of insulin you took or the kind and dosage of your diabetes pills. Write in the record if you did something that may have made your blood glucose level go up or down. Some things that can change your blood glucose are exercising or missing dinner. Bring this record with you every time you see your caregiver. These records will help you and your caregiver find and fix problems in your diabetes health plan.

What are the signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)?

More thirsty than usual.
Passing more urine than usual.
More hungry than usual.
Abdominal (belly) pains.
Not interested in eating.
Nausea (upset stomach).
Problems seeing clearly.
Cuts or sores that heal slowly.
Dry or itchy skin.
Losing weight for no reason.

What are the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?

Becoming confused.
Becoming crabby or grumpy.
Becoming sweaty.
Feeling faint (lightheaded).
Feeling hungry.
Feeling tired.
Feeling like your heart is beating very fast.
Feeling shaky.
Headache.
So sleepy you cannot be woke up.

Where can I get more diabetes information? You can call or write the following organizations for more diabetes information.

American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 1-800-342-2383
Web Address: http://www.diabetes.org

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005-4001
Phone: 1-800-533-2873
Web Address: http://www.jdf.org

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your diabetes health care plan. To help with this plan you must learn about diabetes and how to check your blood sugar levels. You can then discuss your treatment options with your caregiver. You can work with him to decide how you will check your blood sugar levels. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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