Monitoring Blood Sugar Level from Home

Monitoring blood sugar levels from home is possible through the use of easy-to-perform reagent strips and a device called a glucometer. A sample drop of blood from a fingerstick is sufficient to obtain accurate results. The Reagent strip test is the easiest, quickest and most convenient screening examination for people with diabetes mellitus. Blood sugar testing not only monitors hyperglycemia, but it also detects hypoglycemia.

                                   

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends blood sugar testing 3 or more times daily for people who have elevated blood sugar.

 

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Why Blood Sugar Testing is done

A blood sugar monitoring device or glucometer:

·         Helps you learn about your blood sugar levels.

·         Determines the quantity of insulin to take before or after each meal.

·         Tells you how your body responds to exercise, stress or disease. (Blood sugar production is affected by these factors.)

·         Detects hypoglycemia.

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Essential Supplies for Testing

1.    A blood glucose meter or glucometer

2.    Testing or reagent strips

3.    Short needles/lancets

4.    Lancet device

5.    Sterilized or clean cotton balls

How to Monitor Blood Sugar at Home

During a reagent strip test, a drop of blood is obtained from the patient using a lancet device. The end of the plastic strip changes color -- usually to blue -- as it detects glucose in the blood. The following are the essential steps in blood sugar monitoring:

1.    Wash hands

2.    Select a puncture site. Common puncture sites are the fingertips and earlobes for adults and heels or great toes (for infants). The least common sites are palms and forearms.

3.    If possible, dilate capillaries by applying a warm compress for 5 minutes.

4.    Wipe the puncture site using an alcohol swab and let it dry completely.

5.    Ready the lancet device

6.    Pierce the skin quickly to minimize pain.

Important: Do not squeeze the site as it can dilute the sample with surrounding tissue fluid. Also, DO NOT prick at the tip of the finger: use the side of the finger.

7.    Using a clean cotton ball/gauze, apply pressure to the site to stop any bleeding.

8.    Collect the sample through the strip and leave it for 60 seconds.

9.    Wait for the result.

10.  Interpret the result.

Normal Range:80 to 126 mg/dL, or less than 5.5 mmol/L.

With regular blood glucose testing, the site (the fingers especially) may become hardened. To soften the area, apply lotion as needed.

Reminders when performing blood Sugar test at home

▪      Check the expiration date of reagent strips. Outdated strips yield inaccurate results.

▪      Always match the code of the strips to the code of the glucometer.

▪      Keep the reagent strips away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat.

▪      Avoid choosing a cyanotic, swollen, or inflamed site.

▪      Do not use the same site every time. Rotate sites.

▪      If a capillary sample is not feasible, do a venipuncture.

▪      To determine accuracy of the test, always write down the results.

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Written by Dr. Bhanu Voguri, MD