Diabetes and Ways to Test Your Blood Sugar Medically Reviewed by on June 23, 2021 Most people with should test their (aka glucose) levels regularly. Knowing the results lets you adjust your strategy for keeping the disease in check. Regular testing can also help you avoid getting long-term health problems that can stem from the condition, like:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Blindness
- Kidney disease
- Skin problems
Research shows that in people with either or, sticking to your target blood sugar and makes complications less likely. Traditional home glucose monitoring You prick your finger with a small, sharp needle called a lancet, put a drop of blood on a test strip, and then place the strip into a meter that displays your,
- Record the test results so you can share them with your doctor.
- Based on your results, the two of you may adjust your diet, exercise, or medication.
- Meters vary in features, portability, speed, size, cost, and readability (with larger displays or spoken instructions if you have problems).
- Devices deliver results in less than 15 seconds and store this information for future use.
Some meters also calculate an average blood sugar level over a span of time. Some also feature software kits that take information from the meter and display graphs and charts of your past test results. Blood sugar meters and strips are available at your local pharmacy.
- Meters that test other parts of your body Some devices let you test your upper arm, forearm, base of the thumb, and thigh.
- These results may differ from the blood sugar levels gotten from a fingertip stick.
- Levels in the fingertips show changes more quickly.
- This is especially true when your sugar is changing fast, like after a meal or after,
If you have symptoms of, don’t rely on test results from other parts of your body. Continuous glucose monitoring system Some of these devices are combined with pumps. They’re not as accurate as finger-stick glucose results. But they can help you find patterns and trends in your sugar levels.
You may also hear doctors call these “interstitial glucose measuring devices.” If you choose this method, your doctor will place a tiny sensor under your skin to check blood sugar levels every 5 minutes. It sends data to a monitor that you wear like a pager for a few days. You’ll still need to check your levels throughout the day; continuous glucose monitoring doesn’t replace that.
It gives your doctor more information about trends that self-checking might not show. Each person is different. Your doctor will tell you when and how often you should check your levels. If you use insulin more than once a day or use an, experts recommend checking your blood sugar at least three times daily.
- They may not be accurate if you have or,
- If it’s hot, humid, or you’re at a high altitude, that can interfere with the results, too. So can,
- If you consistently see results that aren’t expected, recalibrate your meter and check the strips.
- The chart below shows you the ideal blood sugar ranges for most adults except for women.
Your ideal range may be different from another person’s and will change throughout the day, so check with your doctor for your targets.
| Time of Test | Ideal for Adults With Diabetes |
| Before a meal | 70-130 mg/dL |
| 1 to 2 hours after beginning a meal | Less than 180 mg/dL |
Checking your HbA1c level is also important. Many home glucose monitors can display an average blood sugar reading, which correlates to the HbA1c test.
| Average Blood Glucose Level (mg/dL) | HbA1c (%) |
| 125 mg/dL | 6 |
| 154 mg/dL | 7 |
| 183 mg/dL | 8 |
| 212 mg/dL | 9 |
| 240 mg/dL | 10 |
| 269 mg/dL | 11 |
| 298 mg/dL | 12 |
Ask your doctor about your target blood sugar range. Also, work together to plan for how to handle blood sugar readings that are either too high or too low and when to call your doctor. Learn about the warning signs of high or low blood sugar, and know what you can do if you begin to have symptoms.
Eep records of all your test results. Most glucose monitors also have memory for that. Your records can alert you to any problems or trends. Also, these test records help your doctor make any needed changes in your meal plan, medicine, or exercise program. Bring these records with you to every checkup.
Follow these steps:
- Wash and dry your hands well.
- Insert a test strip into your meter.
- Prick the side of your fingertip with the lancet provided with your test kit.
- Gently squeeze or massage your finger until a drop of blood forms.
- Touch and hold the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood.
- The meter will display your blood glucose level on a screen after a few seconds.
Testing blood glucose can help you manage diabetes by showing you:
- How well your diabetes treatment plan is working
- How and food affect your blood sugar levels
- How things like and illness affect your levels
- How well your diabetes is working
- When your blood sugar levels are too high or too low
You’ll need to test your levels if you’re:
- Taking insulin
- Pregnant
- Having a hard time controlling blood glucose levels
- Having low blood glucose levels, especially without warning signs
- Have ketones from high blood glucose levels
It depends on which type of diabetes you have:
- Type 1 diabetes. It’s up to your doctor. They could suggest you test anywhere between four and 10 times a day. For example, you could test before meals and snacks, before and after exercise, before bed, and even during the night. You may also need to check more often if you’re sick, making changes to your daily routine, or starting a new medication.
- , It depends on what you take to treat your diabetes:
- Insulin. The doctor may tell you to test a few times a day, depending on the type and amount of insulin you use. You’ll probably test before meals and at bedtime if you’re taking multiple daily injections. You may need to test only twice daily, before and dinner, if you only use a long-acting insulin.
- Medications, If you use drugs to manage diabetes, your doctor will tell you how often to,
- Lifestyle changes. If you’re relying on, you may not need to test your blood sugar daily.
© 2021 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. : Diabetes and Ways to Test Your Blood Sugar
Can I test myself for diabetes at home?
– Anyone who wants to understand their risk of diabetes should take an at-home diabetes test. Because these kits only require blood from a finger prick, they’re safe for most people to use. You can then use the results to see if you need medical guidance.
What is the easiest way to test for diabetes?
Glucose Tolerance Test – This measures your blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. You’ll fast (not eat) overnight before the test and have your blood drawn to determine your fasting blood sugar level. Then you’ll drink the liquid and have your blood sugar level checked 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward.
What color urine indicates diabetes?
Dark urine is deeper in color than urine that is usually straw to yellow in color. Darker urine can be different colors, but is usually brown, deep yellow, or maroon.
What is the beginning of diabetes?
– Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes high blood sugar levels. Early signs and symptoms can include tiredness and hunger, frequent urination, increased thirst, vision problems, slow wound healing, and yeast infections. Anyone who experiences possible signs and symptoms of diabetes should contact a doctor for an evaluation, especially if they have other risk factors for developing this condition.
- The early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes can improve a person’s quality of life and reduce the risk of severe complications.
- It is important to have a support system of people who understand what it is like to have a diagnosis and live with type 2 diabetes.
- Bezzy T2D is a free app that supports people with type 2 diabetes through one-on-one and live group discussions.
Download the app for iPhone or Android, Read the article in Spanish.
How often do diabetics pee?
Frequent Urination Could Be Related to Diabetes – When there is excess glucose present in the blood, as with type 2 diabetes, the kidneys are not able to handle all of it and have to flush some out of the blood and into the urine, Ovalle says. This results in more urine production and increased urinary frequency and urgency, called polyuria.
What do diabetics pee a lot?
Excessive thirst and increased urination – Excessive thirst and increased urination are common diabetes signs and symptoms. When you have diabetes, excess glucose — a type of sugar — builds up in your blood. Your kidneys are forced to work overtime to filter and absorb the excess glucose.
Can you test yourself for type 2 diabetes?
Self Test Blood Glucose Level Test Product guide written by Diabetes Expert: Sue Marshall Product: Self Test Blood Glucose Level Test The Self Test Blood Glucose Level Test lets you do a test in your own home that will show if you At that point, you can decide to talk to your GP for further advice and a further test that might need to be done either at the GP surgery or local hospital.
How can you test for diabetes without a machine?
How they work – Breath tests make use of a similar technology like that of a breathalyser. Instead of alcohol, these test kits measure the amount of acetone in the exhaled breath. Acetones are volatile compounds that are proven biomarkers for diabetes, Their concentrations in the breath can be used to measure blood glucose volumes.