Blood Glucose Testing

What is glucose in a blood test? The range of glucose levels in the test tells us if our body is properly producing insulin. Insulin is necessary to transform glucose into energy. Without insulin, the glucose will stay in the bloodstream and would cause abnormal blood sugar levels that could damage our health.

In this article, we will elaborate on the importance of monitoring blood glucose.

Why should I monitor my Blood Glucose? 

A healthy balance of blood glucose levels is crucial for the proper function of our metabolism. When the results show high glucose in blood tests, we are at risk of having illnesses like diabetes. Meanwhile, having low levels of glucose in the bloodstream could lead to illnesses like hypoglycemia and anemia.

Many factors influence the state of your blood glucose levels. Some of them are physical activity, eating habits, medications, or hormonal changes. Therefore, regular check-ups are essential for people dealing with health conditions related to blood glucose.

The results from blood glucose tests are useful to make mindful decisions in avoiding diabetes complications and continuing to lead a healthy lifestyle. By being regularly informed, you’ll be able to know if you need to modify your diet or exercise routine.

How do I check my Blood Glucose? 

You can do a blood glucose test at home with a blood glucose meter or a continuous glucose monitor (CGMs). These tools are accurate and easy to use.

Follow the next steps to check your blood glucose:

• Insert, with clean hands, a test strip into the meter.
• Use the lancet to obtain blood by pricking your finger on the side. Avoid testing on thumb or index finger.
• Add a drop of blood onto the testing strip.
• Wait for your blood glucose levels results to appear in the meter.

Tips to Avoid False Results 

To prevent any incorrect results, we suggest avoiding the next circumstances during the test:

• Use of strips that had expired or were damaged
• Strips weren’t put correctly into the meter
• There was too much or too little blood on the strip
• The calibration code is incorrect
• Your hands were not clean
• The blood glucose meter wasn’t clean

Consult with your healthcare provider if you still believe the result is incorrect.

When Should I Check My Blood Glucose? 

According to your overall health state — the type of diabetes, current treatment, age, weight — a healthcare professional should indicate how often will you need a blood glucose test. Usually, the ideal time for testing could be either:

• Before a meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner)
• Before bedtime
• Before vigorous physical activities
• If you feel, physically or emotionally, unwell

Understanding the Results

The American Diabetes Association recommends the next treatment goals for adults with diabetes:

• Before meals: 70–130 mg/dL
• After meals: Less than 180 mg/dL

These goals do not apply during pregnancy and other medical conditions. Consult with your doctor about your personal treatment goals.

Write down the results of your glucose levels. Also, keep track of any changes in your diet, physical activity, and emotional state. All of the collected information will help you understand if your diabetes treatment is working well or if you need any modifications.

Other Recommendations 

To have better control of diabetes, patients are often recommended to take the A1C test. This test provides information about the blood glucose levels within the previous 2 to 3 months.

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