When you are diabetic, it is important for you to regularly test your sugar, or blood glucose, levels. The readings that the blood glucose meter gives you can help you to make informed decisions about your lifestyle, exercise and diet. There are several different ways for you to test your blood glucose:
1.The Finger-Stick Method involves using a single drop of blood from your fingertip, which is then placed on to a small test strip and inserted into an automated blood glucose testing meter. The reading is displayed on the meter?s digital window display.
2.The Alternate-Site Method involves obtaining blood from either the forearm or thigh, because there are fewer nerve endings in these locations than can be found in the tips of your fingers. There is significantly less pain when it comes to testing in this manner.
3.The Hemoglobin A1C Test is actually meant to monitor your diabetes treatment and management plan over a period of two to three months to make sure you're managing it correctly. This test measures your total glycated hemoglobin, known as GbA1c, which will reflect the average blood glucose level registered over a longer period of time. This is a test that can be taken at the doctor?s office or purchased at a pharmacy and done in your home. If you qualify, Medicare will cover this test 100%. Most people who take this test are hoping for a Hemoglobin A1c test of 7% or less.
Tips for Testing your Blood Glucose Level:
?Make sure that your hands are washed and dried thoroughly before any testing is done. Using warm water will help to keep your blood flowing.
?Use a fresh alcohol wipes to clean the skin surface where you plan to obtain your blood.
?Make sure that your meter is calibrated every time you start a new box of testing strips.
?Make sure that you are using fresh, non-expired test strips with each and every reading.
?The lancets that come with your testing kit are also meant for single usage, just like the test strips. So make sure you are always using a fresh, new lancet with every test.
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