A home blood glucose test is a safe and affordable way for people to check for diabetes before it causes problems. This is useful, as diabetes does not always cause symptoms, especially in the early stages. Show In the United States, more than 1 in 4 of the 30.3 million people with the disease in 2015 did not know they had it. For people who already have a diagnosis of diabetes, a simple home blood glucose test is vital for enabling them to manage their blood sugar levels. A home blood glucose test could even be lifesaving by preventing the complications of consistently high blood sugar. The complications of diabetes can include cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, and nerve damage.
Home blood glucose monitoring indicates how effectively the body is processing glucose. A home blood glucose kit reads glucose testing strips. These strips allow the machine to detect the level of glucose in a drop of blood. People obtain a sample of their blood with a lancet, or small, short needle. For the most accurate testing, people should keep a record or log of the food they eat and look for trends in their blood glucose readings. Whether consuming a high- or low-carbohydrate meal, a higher-than-normal blood sugar reading after a person has eaten suggests that their body is not reducing blood glucose successfully after mealtimes. Before testing, people will need to read the manual for the blood glucose monitor and testing strips. Many home glucose monitors work in different ways. In most cases, people should only insert testing strips into the monitor immediately before a reading. After consulting a doctor about the right testing schedule and frequency, a person can follow these steps:
Some people with diabetes also use an alternative blood test to measure glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The procedure for this test is mostly the same but will produce different readings. Sometimes known as A1c, the test indicates blood sugar levels over several weeks. A doctor might recommend testing at three different times, and often over the course of several days:
The doctor will personalize the glucose monitoring schedule for the individual. For people with diabetes, blood sugar readings should be as follows:
Before beginning home testing, it is important that people get clear, target figures from their doctor. Target numbers may vary from person to person and may change over time, depending on an individual’s health, age, weight, and other factors. For people who do not have diabetes, blood sugar levels should be within the following ranges:
A person cannot diagnose diabetes using home testing alone. People with unusual readings will need further testing by a doctor. The doctor might carry out fasting tests, oral glucose tolerance tests, HbA1c tests, or use a combination of these methods. Learn more about the ideal blood glucose levels here. A blood glucose monitor, testing strips, and a lancet to draw the blood are all necessary for testing. Some testing kits offer all three, while others require separate purchases for each piece. People with diabetes use many testing strips, and so it may be wise to carefully consider the cost of the testing strips as well as the monitor. Some other tips for buying a monitor include:
Monitors that require a smaller blood sample may be more comfortable as the depth of the lancet can be less. Share on PinterestIf a person with diabetes has symptoms, extreme thirst might develop.Many people with diabetes have no signs of the disease at all. However, the lack of symptoms does not necessarily mean the absence of diabetes. When symptoms occur, many of the effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the same since both affect blood sugar regulation in the body. Symptoms include:
Pregnant women who suddenly experience these symptoms should consider the possibility of diabetes. The placenta releases hormones during pregnancy that can make it more difficult for the body to control blood sugar. Without treatment, gestational diabetes can cause a range of pregnancy complications. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the disease can lead to a host of complications. These include:
Early interventions and regular glucose monitoring can reduce the risk of severe or potentially fatal diabetes complications. The right combination of medication and lifestyle changes may even help reverse some cases of diabetes. Find out more about the physical effects of diabetes here. People using home blood glucose tests who have unusually high results, particularly on more than one occasion, will need to see their doctor. Those with diabetes who do not correctly manage blood sugar or experience sudden blood sugar changes should also consult a doctor. The doctor may recommend changes in lifestyle, medication, or both. A person can control diabetes well by managing carbohydrate intake and exercising regularly, People with prediabetes, or borderline diabetes, are at risk of developing diabetes if they do not act quickly to manage their blood sugar. They should talk to their doctors and continue regularly monitoring blood glucose. Can blood sugar fluctuate within minutes?Understanding Blood Sugar Fluctuations
“It's helpful to understand that blood sugar changes minute by minute,” says certified diabetes educator Karen A.
Why do I get two different blood sugar readings?Store It Correctly. Test strips that have expired or have been exposed to extreme heat or cold can provide inaccurate readings. If you use one of these and then move to a new box, you could get very different numbers. Also, make sure you are using the correct test strip.
How quickly can glucose levels change?After eating, your blood sugar levels begin to rise within 15 to 30 minutes, but only if your meal or snack includes carbohydrates. The speed and level of the increase depend on the type of carbohydrates and other nutrients found in the foods you eat, as well as on your body's ability to manage your blood sugar levels.
Can you get different blood sugar readings from different fingers?It does not matter which finger is used for glucose measurements. External pressure may lead to unreliable readings. Many insulin-treated patients have to perform SMBG for a lifetime—some of them every day.
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