context: var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; American Diabetes Association: " Blood Glucose Testing. "; Audio Jungle ANNOUNCER: Testing your blood sugar is easy, even if you haven't done it before. You'll need the following things-- the test strips and the meter, lancing device and the lancet, bandages, alcohol swabs, and cotton balls. Wash your hands. Use warm water to get your blood flowing. To make it easier you can also let your hand hang down and shake it, then massage your finger before you prick it. Put the test strip into the meter. Most meters will tell you when it's ready for you to prick your finger. Decide which finger you're going to use. Don't use the same one each time, that will keep it from getting sore. Hold the lancing device to the side of your finger and press the trigger. Don't worry, it shouldn't really hurt. Squeeze your finger just a little to get a drop of blood. Gently touch the strip. It will pick up the blood and let the meter show your blood sugar reading. It you get an error or you think something is wrong with the results just wait a few minutes and test again. Check your instruction manual for troubleshooting errors. Apply a little pressure to get the bleeding to stop. Most people don't need to, but you can use a bandage if you want. Keep your kit handy so you can check your sugar whenever you need to. And keep a record of your blood sugar readings-- it's good info to discuss with your doctor. if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } Everyone with diabetes should test their blood sugar (aka blood glucose) levels regularly. Knowing the results lets you adjust your strategy for keeping the disease in check. Regular testing can also help you avoid getting long-term health problems that can stem from the condition. Research shows that in people with either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, sticking to your target blood sugar and Hb A1c levels makes complications less likely. Traditional Home Glucose Monitoring You prick your finger with a small, sharp needle called a lancet, put a drop of blood on a test strip, and then place the strip into a meter that displays your blood sugar levels. Meters vary in features, portability, speed, size, cost, and readability (with larger displays or spoken instructions if you have vision problems). Devices deliver results in less than 15 seconds and store this information for future use. Some meters also calculate an average blood sugar level over a span of time. Some also feature software kits that take information from the meter and display graphs and charts of your past test results. Blood sugar meters and strips are available at your local pharmacy. Meters That Test Other Parts of Your Body Some devices let you test your upper arm, forearm, base of the thumb, and thigh. These results may differ from the blood sugar levels gotten from a fingertip stick. Levels in the fingertips show changes more quickly. This is especially true when your sugar is changing fast, like after a meal or after exercise. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, don't rely on test results from other parts of your body. Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Some of these devices are combined with insulin pumps. They're not as accurate as finger-stick glucose results. But they can help you find patterns and trends in your sugar levels. You may also hear doctors call these âinterstitial glucose measuring devices.â Each person is different. Your doctor will tell you when and how often you should check your levels. If you use insulin more than once a day or use an insulin pump, experts recommend checking your blood sugar at least three times daily. They may not be accurate if you have anemia or gout. If it's hot, humid, or you're at a high altitude, that can interfere with the results, too. So can vitamin C. If you consistently see results that aren't expected, recalibrate your meter and check the strips. The chart below shows you the ideal blood sugar ranges for most adults except for pregnant women. Your ideal range may be different from another person's and will change throughout the day, so check with your doctor for your targets. Time of Test Ideal for Adults With Diabetes Before a meal 70-130 mg/d L 1 to 2 hours after beginning a meal Less than 180 mg/d L Checking your Hb A1c level is also important. Many home glucose monitors can display an average blood sugar reading, which correlates to the Hb A1c test. Average Blood Glucose Level (mg/d L) Hb A1c (%) 125 mg/d L 6 154 mg/d L 7 183 mg/d L 8 212 mg/d L 9 240 mg/d L 10 269 mg/d L 11 298 mg/d L 12 Ask your doctor about your target blood sugar range. Also, work together to plan for how to handle blood sugar readings that are either too high or too low and when to call your doctor. Learn about the warning signs of high or low blood sugar, and know what you can do if you begin to have symptoms. Keep records of all your test results. Most glucose monitors also have memory for that. Your records can alert you to any problems or trends. Also, these test records help your doctor make any needed changes in your meal plan, medicine, or exercise program. Bring these records with you to every checkup. Follow these steps: Wash and dry your hands well. Insert a test strip into your meter. Prick the side of your fingertip with the lancet provided with your test kit. Gently squeeze or massage your finger until a drop of blood forms. Touch and hold the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood. The meter will display your blood glucose level on a screen after a few seconds. Testing blood glucose can help you manage diabetes by showing you: How well your diabetes treatment plan is working How exercise and food affect your blood sugar levels How things like stress and illness affect your levels How well your diabetes medication is working When your blood sugar levels are too high or too low You'll need to test your levels if you're: Taking insulin Pregnant Having a hard time controlling blood glucose levels Having low blood glucose levels, especially without warning signs Have ketones from high blood glucose levels It depends on which type of diabetes you have: Type 1 diabetes. It's up to your doctor. They could suggest you test anywhere between four and 10 times a day. For example, you could test before meals and snacks, before and after exercise, before bed, and even during the night. You may also need to check more often if you're sick, making changes to your daily routine, or starting a new medication. Type 2 diabetes. It depends on what you take to treat your diabetes: Insulin. The doctor may tell you to test a few times a day, depending on the type and amount of insulin you use. You'll probably test before meals and at bedtime if you're taking multiple daily injections. You may need to test only twice daily, before breakfast and dinner, if you only use a long-acting insulin. Medications. If you use drugs to manage diabetes, your doctor will tell you how often to check your blood sugar. Lifestyle changes. If you're relying on diet and exercise, you may not need to test your blood sugar daily.