Diabetes: How to check your blood glucose level | NHS

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Diabetes: How to Check Your Blood Glucose Level | NHS

Monitoring blood glucose levels is an essential part of managing diabetes. Maintaining optimal blood glucose levels can prevent complications and improve the quality of life. The NHS recommends regular checks to keep your diabetes in control. This guide will inform you on how to perform these checks effectively.

Why Check Blood Glucose Levels?

Regular monitoring helps you understand how food, exercise, and medication affect your glucose levels. By keeping track, you'll be able to make informed decisions about diet and exercise. This can greatly reduce the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and retinopathy.

When to Check Blood Glucose Levels

The timing and frequency of glucose checks can vary based on your individual treatment plan. Generally, those with Type 1 diabetes may need to check their levels multiple times a day, while those with Type 2 diabetes might need less frequent checks. Common times to check include:

Before meals
After meals
Before and after exercise
Before bedtime
When you feel unwell

Types of Blood Glucose Meters

There are various types of blood glucose meters available. The most common include:

Standard blood glucose meters
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)
Flash glucose monitoring systems

Each type has its own advantages and specific instructions for use. It's important to choose a device that fits your lifestyle and is easy for you to use.

Steps to Check Your Blood Glucose Levels

Wash your hands thoroughly to ensure accurate readings.
Prepare your kit: Gather your meter, test strips, and a lancing device.
Insert a test strip into the meter.
Use the lancing device to prick the side of your fingertip to get a drop of blood.
Touch the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood and wait for the meter to process the reading.
Record your reading, including the time and date.

Interpreting Results

The NHS recommends the following target blood glucose levels for most adults with diabetes:

Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/L
After meals: less than 9 mmol/L

Your healthcare provider may provide a different target range tailored to your needs. If your readings are consistently outside your target range, consult your healthcare provider for advice on adjusting your management plan.

For more information and support, you can visit the NHS Diabetes page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is blood glucose monitoring?

Blood glucose monitoring involves regularly testing the level of glucose in your blood. It helps you manage diabetes by providing information on how various factors affect your blood glucose levels.

Why is it important to check blood glucose levels?

Checking blood glucose levels helps you manage your diabetes, avoid complications, and make informed decisions about your diet, exercise, and medication.

What are the normal blood glucose levels?

For most people with diabetes, the target blood glucose levels are: 4 to 7 mmol/L before meals and under 9 mmol/L 2 hours after meals.

How often should I check my blood glucose levels?

The frequency of testing varies depending on your treatment plan and the type of diabetes you have. Typically, you may need to check your levels several times a day.

What equipment do I need to check my blood glucose levels?

You need a blood glucose meter, test strips, a lancet device, and lancets to check your blood glucose levels.

How do I use a blood glucose meter?

Wash your hands, insert a test strip into the meter, use the lancet device to prick your finger, squeeze out a drop of blood onto the test strip, and wait for the meter to display your blood glucose level.

What should I do if my blood glucose levels are too high?

If your blood glucose levels are too high, you may need to adjust your medication, diet, or exercise routine. Contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

What should I do if my blood glucose levels are too low?

If you experience low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia), consume fast-acting carbohydrates like glucose tablets or juice. Recheck your levels after 15 minutes and seek medical advice if necessary.

Can stress affect my blood glucose levels?

Yes, stress can affect your blood glucose levels by releasing hormones that can increase blood glucose. Managing stress through relaxation techniques and physical activity can help.

How does food impact blood glucose levels?

Carbohydrates, protein, and fat can all impact blood glucose levels. Monitoring your diet and understanding how different foods affect your levels is crucial.

Can I use alternative sites for blood sampling?

Yes, some glucose meters allow for alternative site testing (e.g., forearm, palm). However, fingertip testing usually provides more accurate and timely results.

Is it safe to reuse lancets?

It is generally not recommended to reuse lancets as it can lead to infections and cause the needle to become blunt, making testing more painful.

What can cause inaccurate blood glucose readings?

Factors such as expired test strips, improper storage of supplies, unclean hands, and insufficient blood sample size can cause inaccurate readings.

Should I keep a record of my blood glucose levels?

Yes, keeping a record of your blood glucose levels can help you and your healthcare provider manage your diabetes more effectively.

Can I use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) instead of finger-pricking?

A CGM can provide real-time glucose readings without finger-pricks. However, you may still need to do occasional finger-prick tests to ensure accuracy and calibrate the CGM.

Useful Links

Useful Links : Diabetes: How to check your blood glucose level | NHS

NHS - Blood sugar level testing

Comprehensive NHS guide on the importance of blood glucose testing, types of tests, and how to perform them.

Diabetes UK - Checking your blood glucose

Diabetes UK provides detailed information on self-monitoring of blood glucose, including tips on how to test effectively.

NHS - Living with diabetes

NHS resource for living with diabetes, featuring advice on managing and monitoring your blood glucose levels.

JDRF UK - How to monitor blood sugar levels

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) UK provides guidance on blood glucose monitoring, including explanations of target ranges and monitoring devices.

Useful links from: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme; Preventing Type 2 and improving outcomes for people with diabetes

Useful links from: Improving outcomes for people with diabetes

Useful links from: How to inject insulin

Useful links from: Tom's story (NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme)

Useful links from: The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme story

Useful links from: Hansa's story - The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

Useful links from: Pam’s story - The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

Useful links from: Diabetes: How to inject insulin | NHS

Useful links from: Patient voices in type one diabetes - I would have done things differently.

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