As part of diabetes awareness month, Med Lab Supply will share helpful tips and tricks to living a healthy life with diabetes throughout November. If you have diabetes, testing your blood glucose is crucial. By knowing your current blood glucose levels and how they fluctuate throughout the day, you can make decisions about your diet and medication plans that help keep your diabetes in check.  How do you accurately take a blood glucose level test? Follow the steps below for a step-by-step guide. 

Gathering Your Supplies for the Test

Having the right supplies on hand is the first step toward successful management of your diabetes. For a full list of our diabetic supply offerings, click this link.
  • Gloves
  • Lancets (or the needle for your lancing device)
  • A blood glucose meter

Preparing the Test Strip 

Before you begin, check that the test strip is correct for your meter. The package should say "for use with meters" or "for use with blood glucose monitors."  You can't use a test strip that's not made for your meter, and it's essential to follow the guidelines on how long to keep them before using them again. They should be used within 180 days of opening their package, or they may become inaccurate.

Pricking Your Finger With the Lancet

 For this step, you'll be using the lancet provided with your test strip.  The lancet looks like a little needle, and it's used to break through skin to draw blood for testing. It's best if you use a new lancet each time you check your glucose levels.

Applying the Blood to the Test Strip

To apply blood to the test strip, make sure you have your monitor in hand and that all of its parts are assembled. If it's not already on, turn your monitor on.  Your best bet is to be slow and careful as you move from one step to another so that nothing gets spilled or smudged. Apply light pressure to your finger near the site of the lancing until a drop of blood forms. Allow the blood to drop onto the testing strip.  If you have excess blood, use a band-aid to stop the bleeding. 

Reading Your Results 

If the blood glucose reading is within range, congratulations! If the meter shows a reading that is too high or too low, repeat the test once more to confirm it. The first time you do a blood glucose test, there's always a chance of error due to mistakes or inexperience. This is why it's important to repeat tests until they get closer and closer together—the more consistent they are, the more likely they are accurate. If your second test confirms your initial result as being too high or too low, contact your doctor immediately for further assistance.

Why Testing Your Blood Glucose Levels is Vital if You Have Diabetes

 If you have diabetes, it can be hard to tell whether or not your levels are out of control. This is because the symptoms of diabetes are often the same as those of other conditions. Testing allows you to know what your average blood sugar levels are throughout the day and will help you manage them more effectively. The process of testing your blood glucose level itself is simple, but it's important to remember that the results will only be accurate if you take the time to do everything correctly. If you're worried about not being able to get an accurate reading on your own, don't hesitate to contact your doctor! Med Lab Supply offers those living with diabetes a wide range of products and name-brand medical supplies at a discounted rate - helping ensure a minimal impact on your life and routine. Buy disposable Diabetic Syringes for less, as low as $7.99 per box, at Med Lab Supply. Your Trusted Supplier since 2005.
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