Monitoring Your Blood Glucose Level When You Are
Diabetic
In order to self-monitor your blood glucose
level you will need a glucose meter, alcohol pads, sterile finger
lancets and test strips. Check with your insurance plan to see if
these supplies are covered.
Your doctor will tell you how to monitor your blood glucose level
and how often to do this. Monitoring your glucose level is an
important tool in managing your diabetes. Food, activity levels,
stress, medications can all affect your glucose level in your
blood. You can stay healthy if you monitor your blood glucose level
when instructed.
In order to self-monitor your blood glucose level you will need
a glucose meter, alcohol pads, sterile finger lancets and test
strips. Check with your insurance plan to see if these supplies are
covered.
Today there are advances being made in glucose meter systems
that are less painful and quicker. What follows is the basic
information for a typical meter.
It is important to wash your hands and to dry them well before
testing your blood.
Use an alcohol pad to clean the area that you will be pricking
to draw the blood.
Most glucose meters require that you draw the blood from your
fingertips.
Some meters will allow you to use your forearm, thigh or the
fleshy part of your hand.
Prick your finger on the side not the pad (it will be less
painful)
Use the sterile lancet to prick your finger.
Place the drop of blood on the test strip.
Follow the instructions for inserting the test strip into the
glucose meter.
It can occur at any age but is usually first diagnosed in children and teens or young adults.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas. The result of this attack is that the pancreas does not make enough insulin.
Diabetes Information
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The meter will give you a number for your blood glucose level.
Record this number.
Warm water may help you to improve your blood flow if you are
having trouble getting enough blood from your finger.
Use a small notebook or a record book given to you by your
doctor to record your results. Your doctor may also ask you to
record the food you have eaten, and when you take your medication
or insulin, and also to record your daily physical activity in
order to see how these things affect your blood glucose level.
Your glucose level should be monitored on a regular basis. Your
doctor will indicate how often you should check your glucose level
and under what circumstances it should be checked such as during
exercise, after exercise or when you are experiencing symptoms.
If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes your doctor may ask you
to check your glucose level twice a day to start out with such as
before breakfast and before dinner for the first few weeks. After a
while you may only have to check it 2 or 3 times a week.
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