Checking Your Sugars
It is important to know that your diabetes is under good control. There are different ways of checking how well your diabetes is controlled - you can use the HbA1c blood test, you can test your urine for sugar or you can check your own blood sugars using a small portable glucometer. For many with diabetes, checking their own blood sugars is an important part of looking after their diabetes.
Do I need to check my blood sugars at home?
Not everyone needs to test their blood sugars. Your doctor or diabetes nurse will advise you if you need to test your blood sugars. If you need to test your sugars your diabetes nurse will provide you with a suitable glucometer, teach you how to use it and provide you with a few test strips to start you testing. More test strips and lancets are available on a standard NHS prescription from your general practitioner. The blood glucose meters, finger pricking device and meter control solutions are not available on prescription you can get these from your diabetes clinic. Your doctor or nurse will also advise you on the range of blood sugars you should aim for and the best times of the day to do your tests.
Generally, all people with type 1 diabetes are encouraged to test their blood sugars quite a few times each day. It is also advisable if you have type 2 diabetes and are on insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes and you are controlled on diabetes tablets or diet alone you may not need to test your blood sugars regularly or at all.
How does checking my sugars help?
Good management of your diabetes often requires regular testing, especially if you are aiming for really good control. Using a glucometer gives accurate measurements of your blood sugar levels in finger prick blood samples. Regular checks on blood sugar levels can provide a more accurate picture of how well your diabetes is controlled day to day than the HbA1c blood test result. If you record your results then you and your diabetes team can look at patterns in your day to day sugar levels. You can see what tends to make you high and what makes you low. You can see how diet, exercise, work and stress affect your blood sugar level. You can monitor yourself more carefully when you are unwell. You can see when you need to make changes to your diabetes treatment.
Is it not painful?
As your fingertips are very sensitive, sore fingers are part and parcel of checking your blood sugars frequently! Reduce the pain by not overdoing it and by using the side of your fingers rather than the pulps. Dont use alcohol to wipe your fingers before a test this stings. It also helps to use different fingers. Most glucometers use very tiny amounts of blood and so you dont need such a deep finger stab.
How often should I be checking my sugar levels?
Discuss this with your doctor or diabetes nurse. As a general rule test at different times of the day, rather than at the same time each day. It is useful to have a general idea of your blood glucose before breakfast, lunch and dinner and at bedtime. Blood glucose concentrations two hours after meals also provide useful information. Remember that blood glucose levels go up and down all the time. Eating will make your sugar go up; exercise, insulin and diabetes tablets will make your sugar go down.
It would be nice to have information about your glucose concentrations 4-6 times a day but this is not very practical and we would not usually ask you to do this unless you happen to be pregnant! If your control is good, a couple of checks on two days in every week is adequate for most people providing you sample at different times from day to day. Ask your doctor or diabetes nurse - they will advise you on the number of tests you need to do each day and the best times of the day to do your tests.
How do I do a blood sugar test?
- Wash your hands with warm water and dry them thoroughly. This will improve the blood supply to your fingers.
- Select a different finger or different part of your finger for each test you do. Always using the same place will make your fingers very sore and give rise to thickened skin.
- Avoid using your finger tips. Fingertips are very sensitive. Use the sides of your fingers as denoted in the picture.
- Hold the fingerprick device against the side of your finger. Dont press too hard as then the puncture will be deeper.
- Press the release button and gently squeeze your finger to obtain a drop of blood.
- Apply the drop of blood as instructed in your meter manual and wait for your result.
- Record the result carefully in your diary. Most glucometers have memory functions for storing readings as well but it is still important that you keep a paper-based record or diary. Ask your diabetes nurse for a diary. Write down any comments on changes in food, activity, sickness in the comment column provided. If you are on insulin you can record your insulin dose at mealtimes as well. Always bring your diary and glucometer with you to your clinic visit. The information in your diary and in your glucometer is so helpful.