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Hemo glucose Test

Self-blood glucose monitoring allows a person to know their blood glucose

level at any time and helps prevent the immediate and potentially serious consequences
of very high or very low blood glucose. Monitoring also enables tighter blood glucose
control, which decreases the long-term risks of diabetic complications.

HOW TO TEST — The following steps include general guidelines for testing blood
glucose levels; specific details for individual blood glucose monitors should be obtained
from the package insert or a healthcare provider.

• Wash hands with soap and warm water. Dry hands.

• Prepare the lancing device by inserting a fresh lancet. Lancets that are used
more than once are not as sharp as a new lancet, and can cause more pain and
injury to the skin.

• Prepare the blood glucose meter and test strip (instructions for this depend upon
the type of glucose meter used).

• Use the lancing device to obtain a small drop of blood from the fingertip or
alternate site (like the skin of the forearm). Alternate sites are often less painful
than the fingertip. However, results from alternate sites are not as accurate as
fingertip samples when the blood glucose is rising or falling rapidly.

Patients who have difficulty getting a good drop of blood from the fingertip can try rinsing
the fingers with warm water, shaking the hand below the waist, or squeezing ("milking")
the fingertip.

• Apply the blood drop to the test strip in the blood glucose meter. The results will
be displayed on the meter after several seconds.

• Dispose of the used lancet in a puncture-resistant sharps container (not in

household trash).

FREQUENCY OF TESTING — Studies have proven that people with type 1 and 2
diabetes who maintain normal or near normal blood glucose levels have a lower risk of
diabetes-related complications. The frequency of monitoring will depend upon the type of
diabetes (1 or 2) and treatment used (insulin versus oral medications).

INTERPRETING RESULTS

Blood glucose testing — The results of blood glucose testing indicate if diabetes
treatments are on target. However, blood glucose results can be affected by activity
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levels, foods eaten, and medications (include insulin and oral diabetes medications). To
interpret results, it is important to consider all of these factors.

Blood glucose results should be reviewed regularly with a healthcare provider. This
discussion should include how to record results (either with paper and pen or
electronically) and how to use results to optimally control blood glucose levels. Many
meters have a memory function that allows results to be stored and downloaded to a
computer. Results can then be analyzed and printed for a healthcare provider to review.
These blood glucose records should be reviewed at each healthcare provider visit.

Healthy blood sugar level ranges

Blood sugar levels over 200 mg/dL (mg/dL = milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood)
or under 60 mg/dL are considered unhealthy. High blood sugar levels (above 200 mg/dL)
may be a sign of inadequate levels of insulin, caused by diabetes medication,
overeating, lack of exercise, or other factors. Low blood sugar levels (below 60 mg/dL)
may be a caused by taking too much insulin, skipping or postponing a meal, over-
exercising, excessive alcohol consumption, or other factors.

> 200 mg/dL Too high; considered unhealthy

60 - 120 mg/dL Good range

< 60 mg/dL Too low; considered unhealthy

The following are the most common symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• rapid weight loss

• feeling sick
• thirst
• vomiting
• fatigue
• blurred vision
• fainting

The following are the most common symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• hunger
• fatigue
• shakiness
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