Blood Glucose Testing Tips & Understanding Your Results

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Blood Glucose Log Book: (60 Day Diary)

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your blood glucose meter.

Check the expiry date on all diabetes testing supplies.

Wash your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water and dry carefully before glucose testing. This will help get rid of any contaminants (e.g. sugar on your fingers from the food you have been eating), and will also ensure a good blood flow.

Use the sides of your fingers, as these are less sensitive than the fingertips.Vary the sites to avoid the risk of infection or callous build up.

If you struggle to obtain enough blood, hold your hand down to let gravity help the blood flow to the fingers.

Change the lancet in the finger-pricking device every time you perform a blood glucose test. This will reduce discomfort, the risk of infection and ensure that enough blood is obtained.

Record the results in your glucose testing record diary.

Make a note of anything unusual alongside the results and whether they were taken before or after meals. Later on, it is not always easy to remember what else might have been happening at the time of the blood glucose test.

Take your glucose testing record diary, or a print out from your  diabetes management software (a tracking tool that helps you monitor your blood glucose levels), to all appointments with your diabetes care team.

FREQUENCY OF BLOOD SUGAR TESTING

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Accu-Chek Mobile Blood Glucose System

Studies have proven that people with Type 1 andType 2 diabetes who maintain normal or near normal blood sugar levels have a lower risk of diabetes-related complications than those who have high blood sugar levels. How frequently you test will depend upon the type of diabetes you have (1 or 2) and which treatment(s) you use (insulin versus oral medications or lifestyle changes).

Type 1 diabetes — For people with type 1 diabetes, frequent testing is the only way to safely and effectively manage blood sugar levels.

Most people need to test at least six times per day.

People who test frequently, especially those who inject with insulin, may consider purchasing several blood glucose monitors to keep at home, work, school.This allows easier access to testing equipment, which can increase testing frequency and therefore improve blood sugar control.

I go for a walk every day near my home in Mooncoin County Kilkenny,it is a beautiful area with lovely mountains,forests and streams!

I love living in the countryside!It is quiet and peaceful and I love listening to the bird’s singing!

I go walking nearly everyday in all kinds of weather but my favourite type of weather is when it’s cool but not raining as I hate getting my hair wet!

See below a picture of where I stop to test my blood sugar levels!

Type 2 diabetes — Blood sugar monitoring is also important for people with type 2 diabetes. The recommendations for how often you should test are based upon individual factors such as type of treatment such as diet , oral medication or insulin.A healthcare provider can help you determine how frequently to test.

Understanding your blood glucose results

 

understanding and managing diabetes
The Complete Guide to Understanding and Managing Your Diabetes: Information For Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetics: Learn About And Prevent Diabetes Complications

In order to use your blood glucose results for good diabetes management, you need to understand how to interpret them. Here are some points to help you do this:

Test and check the results: some people think they can tell what their blood glucose levels are by how they feel, but this is often not the case and you should always test to be sure. If your blood glucose test result does not match the way your feel, retest your blood glucose levels and make sure the test is performed as instructed by the manufacturer of the glucose monitoring device.

Timing of blood glucose monitoring: it takes about 2 hours before you can tell the effect that your meal has had on your blood glucose levels. Blood glucose tests carried out immediately after eating will not really provide any useful information.

If your blood glucose levels are higher than your agreed target range 2 hours after eating, your carbohydrate servings may have been too large, or your medication dose could have been inadequate for that meal. You can discuss this with your diabetes care team.

Blood glucose levels can be lower than normal after exercise, and may remain lower than normal for several hours.

Your results can be affected by illness, hormonal changes (e.g. during the night, menopause, menstrual cycles), stress, changes in medication, changes in dietary intake and reduced levels of physical activity. Discuss changes in your blood glucose levels with your diabetes care team.

If you have any information,questions, or feedback you would like to include in this webpage.

Please email momo19@diabetessupportsite.com or leave your comments below.

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