Checking Your Blood Sugar When You Have Diabetes

For people with diabetes, monitoring blood sugar is the most important thing you can do to manage the disease.

Why monitor

Food, medicines, physical activity and other factors make blood sugar rise and fall through the day. Some change is normal, but blood sugar that goes too high or too low causes problems. Checking regularly helps you:

• see what affects your numbers and spot patterns;
• adjust as you go, making it more likely you'll reach your target range;
• give your health care team what they need to plan your care.

Your doctor will tell you when and how often to check. Most blood sugar meters (glucometers) save your results; some link to a phone app, or you can keep a written record.

How to test

Meters vary, but most work the same way. Ask your health care team to show you, and have someone else learn too, in case you're ever too sick to test yourself.

1. Make sure the meter is charged and ready.
2. Wash your hands with soap and warm water and dry them well.
3. Massage or shake your hand to bring blood into your finger.
4. Prick your finger with a lancet. Squeezing from the base of the finger, gently put a small drop of blood on the test strip.
5. Put the strip in the meter; the reading appears in a few seconds.
6. Record the result, with notes on anything that might have affected it.
7. Throw the lancet and strip in the trash.

Never share blood sugar testing equipment, especially lancets — not even with family.

Tips

• Cold hands can restrict blood flow to the fingertips. If you struggle to get enough blood, warm your hands before washing them.
• Moisture, humidity and extreme temperatures can damage test strips. Keep the container tightly closed and store it carefully.

Target ranges

For most non-pregnant people with diabetes:

Your own target may differ with your age, health and management plan — always follow your doctor's advice.

A1C testing

Besides checking at home, people with diabetes should have an A1C test at least twice a year.

Getting help

Learning to check blood sugar and understand the numbers can be overwhelming, especially after a new diagnosis. Diabetes self-management education and support can help; ask your doctor for a referral.

Questions for your doctor:

• What is my target blood sugar range?
• How often should I check?
• What do my numbers mean?
• How can I improve or maintain my blood sugar levels?

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Monitoring Your Blood Sugar."