Monitoring
Blood glucose (blood sugar) monitoring is the main tool you have to check your diabetes control. This check tells you your blood glucose level at any given time.
Monitoring helps you find out what happens to your blood glucose when you eat certain foods, when you exercise, or when you lose or gain weight. It helps you see what happens to blood glucose when you take diabetes medication or insulin, are sick, or are emotionally upset. Keeping a log of your results is vital.
A blood glucose test can help you decide whether to eat a snack, take more insulin, or to exercise. Some people do not feel any symptoms when their blood glucose goes too high or too low. If you keep careful records of your blood glucose, then you and your health care team have an easier time figuring out which diabetes medication or insulin works best for you.
Who should check?
Experts feel that anyone with diabetes can benefit from checking their blood glucose. Blood glucose should be monitored if you have diabetes and are:
- Taking insulin or diabetes pills
- On intensive insulin therapy
- Pregnant and having a hard time controlling your blood glucose levels
- Having severe low blood glucose levels
- Having ketones from high blood glucose levels
- Having low blood glucose levels without the usual warning signs
When should I check?
Self monitoring of blood glucose levels is the best way to know if you are reaching your goals. The more you check, the more you learn how different foods, exercise, stress, and medication affect your levels. Self monitoring of blood glucose will help you and your health care team find a diabetes care plan that is best for you. Always write down your blood glucose readings and share them with your health care team. Your doctor should recommend that you check your blood glucose at certain times each day or a certain number of times each day. It is important to follow those recommendations.
People with Type 1 diabetes are usually advised to check their blood glucose:
- first thing in the morning (fasting)
- before meals
- at bedtime.
You may also be advised to check your blood glucose two hours after a meal or occasionally, in the middle of the night.
Your readings provide valuable information. This chart explains how different times of testing can assist you in meeting your diabetes care plan goals.
First thing in the morning |
...if your evening (or bedtime) insulin and snack are keeping your blood glucose levels at goal throughout the night. |
Before Meals |
...if you are taking the right amount of long-acting insulin (i.e. NPH or Lantus) and can assist you in meal planning. |
After Meals |
...if you are taking the right amount of short-acting insulin (i.e.regular, aspart, or lispro) before that particular meal for the types of foods you are eating. |
Before Bedtime |
...if you need to adjust your diet to include a snack to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) during the night. |
View chart larger
If you have Type 2 diabetes, you usually will be advised to monitor your blood glucose once or twice daily. Daily monitoring at consistent times allows you and your health care team to detect patterns of high or low readings throughout the day. You may, however, be asked to change the times of day from time to time to be sure your control is smooth throughout the day In addition to fasting readings, two hour post-meal readings will help you balance your food choices with your medication regimen to reach your goals. If you have Type 2 diabetes and take insulin, you will need to monitor more frequently, often up to four or more times daily. Anytime your diabetes care plan changes, it is best to test more frequently to see how your blood glucose is affected by those changes.
The following information highlights some of the unique features of different blood glucose meters:
These meters only need a very small amount of blood (< 1 µL)
These meters display your results in only 5 seconds
These meters contain strips in a cartridge within the meter itself. They are automatically coded.
These meters can be connected to or act as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
These meters are approved for Alternate-Site Testing*
- Accu-Chek Active (forearm) - Free Offer
- FreeStyle (arm, thigh, calf, hand)
- One Touch Ultra (arm)
- InDuo (arm)
- Ascensia CONTOUR, BREEZE, DEX 2, ELITE, and ELITE XL with the Microlet Vaculance (forearm, palm, abdomen, thigh)
*Alternate site testing allows you to monitor your blood glucose using sites other than your fingers, such as the arm or thigh. Testing at alternate sites may be less painful, though it may cause bruising at the puncture site. Alternate site testing can only be used at times when your blood glucose levels are stable, such as first thing in the morning and before meals. You should avoid testing your blood glucose at alternate sites within two hours of eating, exercising, taking insulin, or any other time when your blood glucose levels may be changing rapidly. In addition, only fingertip testing should be used if you sense that your blood glucose levels may be low.
Steps to Using your Blood Glucose Meter
Learning how to use your blood glucose meter may be tricky at first. Ask your Rite Aid Pharmacist to assist you and use these helpful steps to guide you. All meters come with their own step by step directions and a toll-free number to call if you ever get confused.
Helpful Tips
- Wash your hands in warm water with soap, especially the site you plan on using for the check. It is not necessary to use alcohol at home, as alcohol may dry and toughen your skin.
- Place the lancet into the lancing device and replace the lancing cap.
- Hang your arm at your side for 10-15 seconds to increase blood flow to the finger.
- Place the test strip next to the drop of blood, as most strips now pull the blood onto the strip.
- Dispose your used lancet in a tightly closed container. Use each lancet only once, to avoid infection and discomfort. NEVER share a lancet with another person.
- Use different fingers and rotate sites to avoid soreness and calluses.
- Use moisturizing cream to keep fingers soft and to make lancing easier and less painful.
Free Accu-Chek meter offer with purchase of test strips.
