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                Women's Health Topics

Women's Health Topics

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          Your Glucose MeterWomen's Health Topics Your Glucose Meter
  
  	
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Basic Facts
	7 Tips for Testing Your Blood Sugar and Caring for Your Meter**Glucose meters** test and record how much sugar (called glucose) is in your blood. They help you track your blood sugar level at different times of the day and night.

Woman holding a glucose meter with test trip

Meters can help you know how well your diabetes medicines are working. They can also help teach you how the food you eat and exercise can change your blood sugar level.

Three things you will need with your meter:

**Lancet -**A small needle used to get a drop of blood from your finger or other part of your body.
	**Test Strip -**The strip goes into the meter. You put a drop of blood on the strip.
	**Control Solution** - Liquid used to make sure your meter is working right.Meters come in different sizes. Meters also come with different features. Some meters let you track and print out your test results. Others have audio and larger screens to help people who have problems seeing. The meter you choose should fit your lifestyle and your needs.

**7 Helpful Tips for Testing Your Blood Sugar and Caring for Your Meter**

**Read the directions** for your meter and test strips before you use them.
	**Wash your hands before you check your blood sugar.** Food or juice on your fingers could make the meter give you the wrong  result.
	**Use the right test strip for your meter.**The meter may not work right or may give you the wrong result if you use the wrong test strip.
	**Write down your results and the date and time you tested.** Do this even if your meter tracks your numbers. Take the results with you when you go to your doctor.
	**Clean your meter as directed.**Some cleaning products may harm your meter.
	**Ask your healthcare provider if your medicines will change your blood sugar.** If you are a kidney patient on dialysis, the dialysis solution can change your blood sugar.
	**Take your meter with you when you go to your doctor.** This way you can test your blood sugar in front of the doctor or nurse to make sure you are doing it the right way. Your health care provider may be able to print out your blood sugar results from your meter.**Bonus Tip**: Report serious problems with your meter. FDA monitors the safety and accuracy of glucose meters. Find out which type of problems you should report.

Learn More about Diabetes

Information for Women with Diabetes
	How to Safely Use Glucose Meters and Test Strips for Diabetes
	Tips on Monitoring Your Blood Sugar and Choosing a Meter
	Report a Serious Problem with Your Meter
	FDA For Patients
	National Diabetes Education Program
	National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
	American Diabetes AssociationResources For You

Women and Diabetes
	Heart Health for Women
	Insulin Medication Booklet
	Get Other FDA Publications for Women
	For Women Homepage

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      05/22/2019Women's Health Topics

          
                        Aging
          Anxiety
          Caregiving
          Cholesterol medicines
          Clinical trials
          Contact lens care
          Cosmetics
          Depression
          Diabetes
          Dietary supplements
          Food safety
          Heart health
          High blood pressure
          HIV
          HPV
          Mammography
          Medication safety
          Medicine and pregnancy
          Menopause
          Osteoporosis
          Pain medicines
          Pregnancy
          Sleep problems
          Smoking
          Tattoos and permanent makeup
          Uterine fibroids


                        Pregnancy Exposure Registries
          Free publications for women
 
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