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Understanding how to check your own blood sugar and recording the results can help you know what's working well and whether you need to make any changes.
How to check your blood sugar
When you check your blood sugar, you'll use a small device called a glucose meter. It reads the amount of glucose (sugar) in a small sample of blood that you place on a disposable test strip.
If you use insulin, these tests can help you learn when to adjust it for the best control.
6 easy steps to check your blood sugar:
- Review the instructions for your meter.
- Gather your meter, test strips, lancet, lancing device, and logbook.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap.
- Prick the side (not the tip!) of your finger with a lancing device.
- Apply blood to the test strip according to your meter directions.
- Record the blood sugar numbers in your Diabetes Diary or glucose meter app.
Prevent sore fingers (Ouch!)
- Use a new needle (lancet) every time. Don't share your lancet.
- To get more blood flowing, shake your hand up and down or run warm water over your hand before you prick your finger.
- Start with a lancet setting of 2 or 3 for a more comfortable finger stick. Increase the setting if you need to in order to draw blood.
- Prick the side of your finger, rather than the middle part.
- Use a different finger each time to reduce redness and soreness.
Recording results
Recording your blood sugar results is important to help you understand what's working and whether you need to make any changes.
Bring your Diabetes Diary, meter, or glucose meter app with you to your doctor appointments so you can talk about your patterns when your blood sugar goes up or down.