How to measure your blood sugar correctly

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Now that you joined a remote patient monitoring program, it’s important that you measure your blood sugar (glucose) correctly, so your doctor receives accurate updates on your health.

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How to measure your blood sugar correctly

1. After washing your hands, insert a test strip into your meter

2. Use your lancing device on the side of your fingertip to get a drop of blood

3. Touch and hold the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood and wait for the result

4. Your blood glucose level will appear on the meter's display

5. Mark if the reading was taken before or after meal if your meter prompts you so

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Blood sugar (blood glucose) monitoring is the primary tool you have to find out if your blood glucose levels are within your target range. This tells you your blood glucose level at any one time.

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It’s important for blood glucose levels to stay in a healthy range. If glucose levels get too low, we can lose the ability to think and function normally. If they get too high and stay high, it can cause damage or complications to the body over the course of many years.

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Useful tips

People with diabetes check their blood glucose levels by either poking their fingertips and using a blood glucose meter or by using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). But sometimes you might be asked to also check your urine. Checking urine for ketones is important when your blood glucose levels are high or when you are sick. Talk to your doctor to find out if or when you should check for ketones.

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Source: The American Diabetes Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Cleveland Clinic

Nothing in this article should be considered medical advice. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. In a case of medical emergency call 911.

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