Aglucometeris a small, portable machine that lets you check yourblood sugars(glucose levels) at home.
Your healthcare provider will show you how to use a glucometer.
First, you’ll put a test strip in the unit.
Maskot / Getty Images
Maskot / Getty Images
Who Should Use a Glucometer?
When to Test
Talk to your doctor aboutwhen and how often you should testyour blood sugars.
verify you know what to do if your results are low or high.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Your testing frequency may depend on your key in of diabetes and your treatment plan.
Your healthcare provider will tell you what testing schedule is best for you.
That schedule may or may not be similar to the general guidelines.
Verywell / Hugo Lin
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
key in 1 Diabetes
Insulinis a hormone produced by thepancreas.
It helps your cells use the glucose in your blood.
In throw in 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin or makes very little.
That makes frequent testing important.
It helps ensure you have enough insulin to keep your blood sugar levels stable.
This is called insulin resistance and it makes blood sugar levels rise.
You may check:
In part, this depends on whether you take insulin or use other medications.
Target Glucose Ranges
General guidelines for target glucose levels may or may not apply to you.
Your healthcare provider can tell you the ideal range for you.
Also, the lancets need to be the right design for your lancing unit.
Using a Glucometer: Step-by-Step
Glucometers only need a drop of blood.
The meters are small enough to travel with or fit in a purse.
you’ve got the option to use one anywhere.
Each equipment comes with an instruction manual.
And typically, a healthcare provider will go over your new glucometer with you too.
Check your manual before using the gadget.
Be sure they are dry again before you stick yourself.
you might do this on paper, but smartphone apps that sync with glucometers make this very easy.
Some devices even record readings on the monitors themselves.
Lancet Disposal
Dispose of lancets in a sharps container.
Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacy for one or use a thick, plastic bottle with a screw-on cap.
Take the container to a hospital or pharmacy with a drop-off program or check disposal regulations where you live.
If you’re flying, checkTSA rulesfor carrying your supplies and medications.
Children may need to test more often than adults, especially if they use insulin.
Their healthcare provider can tell you what a child’s ideal range is.
Children who havehypoglycemiaor low blood sugar episodes may need to be tested in the middle of the night.
Extra testing may also be required when your child is sick.
Helping Kids Self-Test
Practice using the glucometer with your child often.
Empowering them with the tools and know-how they need will help when they transition to taking care of themselves.
Teach your child that glucose self-testing is a big responsibility.
Let them know how important it is for managing their condition as they grow older and more independent.
With a CGM, a tiny sensor is inserted under your skin.
Ask your healthcare provider if a CGM is right for you.
Summary
Glucometers help you monitor your blood sugar levels.
They are used by people with punch in 1, 2, LADA, and gestational diabetes.
Your healthcare provider can tell you how often to test and what your target ranges are.
Use and maintain your glucometer as directed by the manual.
If you need help, ask your healthcare provider about seeing a certified diabetic educator.
The meter then gives you a reading.
Blood sugars fluctuate so frequent monitoring is the best way to get your diabetes under control.
A continuous glucose monitor has a tiny sensor that’s inserted under your skin.
It checks your blood sugar level every few minutes around the clock and sends results to a remote monitor.
This gives you the ability to monitor levels without multiple finger pricks.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.throw in 1 diabetes
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.throw in 2 diabetes.
Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.How a diabetes care and education specialist can help you.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monitoring your blood sugar.
University of Florida Diabetes Institute.Getting rid of used needles, syringes, and lancets.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Basic general guidelines for handling diabetes supplies during natural disasters.
UpToDate.Patient education: Blood glucose monitoring in diabetes (Beyond the basics).
American Diabetes Association.The big picture: Checking your glucose.
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Continuous glucose monitoring.
Nemours KidsHealth.Monitoring blood sugar.
