What is Blood Sugar Monitoring?
We’ve been talking a lot about blood sugars. It’s how we check and see how much sugar is in your blood. We can do this using a fingerstick and glucometer or with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
If you’re not using a CGM, checking blood sugars is important for managing diabetes. It involves getting a small sample of blood using a lancing device (sometimes called a “poker”). Here’s how it works: a small drop of blood is placed on a disposable test strip, and a meter tells us the sugar level in that drop.
When to Check Blood Sugars
If you’re not using a CGM, check your blood sugars:
- Four or more times each day, usually before meals, before exercise, and at bedtime.
- A few times each week, about two hours after meals, to see if your insulin dose was right.
- Anytime you feel symptoms of low blood sugar or if you think your CGM is giving the wrong reading.
- Sometimes during the night.
- Anytime you feel unusual symptoms, like needing to use the bathroom a lot.
If you are using a CGM, you should check your blood sugar:
- When your CGM shows high or low values.
- If you have symptoms of low blood sugar.
- If you’ve taken medicine with acetaminophen (like Tylenol), because it can affect CGM readings.
How to Check Blood Sugar
Here’s a quick guide:
- Get the lancing device ready and insert a new lancet (change it daily).
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water, then dry them well. Sugar on your fingers can make your reading wrong.
- Use the lancing device to prick the side of your fingertip (not the ball of your finger) or an alternate site like your forearm.
- To get enough blood, hold your hand down below your heart and gently squeeze or “milk” your finger.
- Put the drop of blood on the test strip as you learned in your diabetes education.
- Press a cotton ball or gauze on the spot to stop any bleeding.
Choosing a Meter
There are lots of blood sugar meters out there. Your diabetes team can help you pick one that’s right for you. Here are some tips:
- We like meters that can store at least the last 100 readings.
- The meter should be easy to use and need only a small drop of blood.
- Make sure the code in the meter matches the code on your test strips (if needed).
- Always bring your meter with you to your doctor’s visits.
Logging Your Results
It’s important to keep track of your blood sugar results. You can write them down in a logbook or use an app to store them. This helps you and your doctor see any patterns and make changes to your treatment plan if needed.
How You Feel Matters
Checking blood sugars is just part of taking care of yourself. If your numbers are high or low, it’s not about being “good” or “bad.” It’s about using that information to make things better. Remember, every check is a step toward understanding and managing your diabetes.