Diabetics must keep track of their blood sugar levels as it helps them manage diabetes while lowering the likelihood of developing complications. Below are some tips which will help you check blood sugar levels at any time.
Use A Blood Test Meter
There are a bunch of different glucometers on the market, so choosing the best one can be challenging for beginners. If you are uncertain of which one to pick there are websites like this that carry different brands and highlight their various characteristics. Those that have vision issues have to be careful which brands they purchase and some diabetics choose to get meters based on their prescription.
Prick Your Finger
Those that are not afraid of needles or a little bit of blood can try this method. You’ll need a testing meter, test strips, and a lancet, which is a short needle. It is important to do this method correctly, as doing it improperly can lead to inaccurate readings. If you aren’t sure how to proceed, there are online videos that can help. Test strips typically come inside batches carrying fifty each and it is essential for them to work with the specific meter you’ve selected. Those that plan to buy their strips online must ensure they’ve been adjusted for local specifications.
HbA1c Test
This is a test that only needs to be taken once each year. You’ll have to visit a doctor to perform it and the test will evaluate the average blood sugar amount for the previous 3 months and enables the doctor to notice any specific trends which are emerging. It is considered vitally important because a high result indicates that the patient has excessive sugar within their blood and as a consequence has a higher susceptibility to diabetes complications, including issues with the feet or eyes.
Flash Glucose Monitoring
For those that dislike blood or the sensation of pricking their finger, flash glucose monitoring is a great option. Rather than pricking the finger and placing blood on a test strip, it utilizes a sensor that patients must wear so they can run tests. Rather than specifically measuring the sugar inside the blood, it will measure the level of sugar within the fluid that surrounds the cells, which is referred to as interstitial fluid. There can sometimes be delays and it might not be as accurate as finger pricking.
Why is it Important to Assess Your Blood Sugar?
Diabetics who are taking medications like sulphonylureas or insulin must assess the levels of their blood sugar as it informs them of when they should take additional medication, eat certain foods or engage in physical activity. Those that have diabetes don’t want their blood sugar levels to go too high or low, as either can lead to problems and complications. Excessive sugar within your blood will damage the blood vessels which will make it more difficult for the blood to circulate within your body. In the most severe cases, it can lead to vision loss or even amputation. To ensure that your blood sugar is within acceptable levels, test it with an OKRA Glucose Meter today.
After getting the result from your glucose control solution test, you can compare the numerical value shown on your meter to the range stated by the manufacturer, which is found on the test strip vial. The value on your meter should be in the stated range. Take note that control solution test results are not related to your blood sugar levels and the numbers are not a reflection of the concentration of your blood glucose.
Manufacturers usually provide a range for control solution results instead of a single value, as no two results will be the same. Manufacturers have taken into account the possible disparities between tests, thus they usually provide a range rather than a single number.
The majority of control solutions on the market do not have an exact amount of glucose in each sample. Instead, they have a stated accuracy range. For instance, if a control solution is listed to have a range of about 95-123 mg/dL, the meter might display a reading value that falls within a 20% range of accuracy of the meter; meaning that it can range anywhere between 76 and 150 mg/dL. If you find that the test result from your control solution is not in the range stated, get in touch with the meter’s manufacturer to see if there is any need for troubleshooting or replacing parts.
Are you looking for control solutions? Ensure your blood glucose meter and test strips are always working properly with ExpressMed’s range of control solutions.
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