Blood Glucose Testing

Every person with diabetes needs to test their blood sugar. Here are some basics....

Testing your blood glucose is the best way to know how your diabetes management plan is working.  Your doctor may do tests whenever you visit him/her, but that doesn’t really give you the day-to-day readings that you need to make your diabetes management plan work it’s best.   Anyone with diabetes can benefit from self-testing.  This includes Type 2 diabetics who don’t take medication, as well as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics who do take medication to help manage their diabetes.
 

WHY DO YOU NEED TO TEST?

When a person with diabetes is first diagnosed they are most likely given a plan to follow.   This plan, called a diabetes management plan (or diabetes care plan) is set up to help keep the blood sugar levels in an ideal range.  The plan may also include diet, exercise, insulin or oral medications (pills).

One of the best ways to keep track of how well a diabetes management plan is working is to test your blood glucose levels..  Testing helps you find out how certain foods may be affecting your blood glucose level.  It can also help you know how your blood glucose level  reacts when you take your insulin and/or oral medications,  when you’re sick or when you are under stress.

By knowing the test result you can make decisions about what to eat (maybe you need to eat an extra snack if your blood sugar is too low), whether or not to exercise (if your blood sugar is 250 or higher you shouldn’t exercise), or whether you need to take more medication to treat high blood glucose.
 

HOW TO TEST

There are only a few steps you need to learn in order to test your blood glucose.  Have your blood glucose testing meter ready along with some alcohol pads, testing strips and your testing journal (if you use one).

1. Wash your hands in warm, soapy water.  Dry your hands
2. Prick your finger with a lancet.
3. Let a drop of blood fall on the test strip (or follow the directions your strip manufacturer gives you).
4. Wait the necessary time and read your monitor’s window for the result.
 

WHEN TO TEST

Testing at specific times during the day can be useful.  For example, a test done 1 or 2 hours after eating will let you know how high your blood glucose rises after you eat certain types and amounts of foods.  A test done at 2 or 3 a.m. can tell you if you are having a low blood
glucose reaction during the night.

Your doctor or Certified Diabetes Educator may have given you a schedule letting you know when to test your blood glucose, but in case you don’t have one here is a good schedule to use.

1. Before breakfast
2. 1-2 hours after breakfast
3. Before lunch
4. 1-2 hours after lunch
5. Before dinner
6. 1-2 hours after dinner
7. Before bedtime
8. At 2 or 3 a.m.
 

WHEN TO DO EXTRA TESTS

1) when you’re trying to find the best dose of insulin
or oral medications to take
2) when you change your meal plan
3) when you change your exercise program
4) when you start a new drug (to see if it interferes with your diabetes management plan)
5) when you are sick
6) when you are pregnant
7) before, during and after exercise  (it’s very important to guard against insulin reactions)
8) before you drive or operate machinery
9) before activities that will require a lot of stress, energy
or concentration

KEEPING RECORDS – A JOURNAL

Try to write down your test results.  Keep track of the date and time you did each test.  Do this even if you have a meter with a memory.  The record will be a valuable tool for not only you, but for your doctor and/or diabetes educator.   You may also want to use your journal to keep track of:

1) the foods you eat and when you eat them
2) time when you miss a meal or a snack
3) times when you eat smaller or larger meals
4) when you drink alcohol
5) how much you weigh
6) how much insulin and/or oral medications you take
7) how you treat low or high blood glucose
8) when you are sick or injured