Understanding & Managing Diabetes
Monitoring Your Blood Glucose
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When you have diabetes, your body is unable to convert (metabolize) the food we eat into energy. The key to metabolism is the hormone insulin (produced by the pancreas)
Insulin is either insufficient or resistant, resulting in High Glucose (sugar) in the blood.
To view Diabetes Overview click here
Monitoring your blood glucose (sugar) helps you recognize and understand the impact of your choices such as food, and exercise as well as effects of illness on your blood glucose levels.
Good Control of your blood glucose levels will help reduce the risk of long term complications associated with diabetes.
Recommended range (goal) of blood glucose is:
Fasting- 80 to 110 mg/dl
(1st test of the day, before you have eaten)
Pre meal- 90 to 130 mg/dl
Post meal – less than 160 mg/dl
(2 hrs from the start of the meal)
Discuss with your health care provided or diabetes educator when to test and what your target is.
Testing Your Blood Sugar: Self monitoring
What
You Need to Begin:
1- a glucose meter
2- Test strips
3- A lancet (needle) &
4- a Lancet device
Lets Begin:
A) Wash your hands with soap & water. Dry thoroughly.
B) Place lancet in lancet device
C) Follow the directions for placing a test strip in your meter (If you meter requires coding of strips make sure you do that)
D) Take lancet device and prick the side of your finger with lancet.
E) Apply the drop of blood to the strip according to package directions
F) Wait for your meter to display the results (if you see an error message, recheck using a fresh strip and fresh drop of blood)
G) Record the results in a log book or log sheet. (Identify timing of record: fasting, pre meal, post meal, bedtime etc.)
FDA guidelines on proper lancet disposal click here
Two reasons for maintaining good blood sugar control
1. You will feel good
2. With good control you can prevent or delay long term complications
Click on the links below for additional recourses:
Test to Avoid Long Term Complications
http://www.graffixofeden.net
Created and maintained by Maria Soper RN BSN All information contained in this website is based on medical research and is provided for general education. Always consult your doctor before you engage in any type of health remedy or procedure. This site is not a substitute for regular medical care. Updated 06/20/07