Blood-Glucose Monitoring
For people living with diabetes , doctors may recommend some form of self-testing for their blood sugar levels. Monitoring is done with a portable electronic device that measures the amount of sugar in a tiny drop of blood, usually taken from the fingertip. The results of this test are then reviewed with the doctor during routine office visits.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, and would like to learn more about blood-glucose monitoring, please call (808) 523-0445 or contact us online.
What is Blood-Glucose Monitoring?
Not everyone with diabetes needs to self-monitor their condition, but your doctor may recommend a glucose monitoring device if you are:
- Pregnant
- Taking insulin injections
- Having trouble controlling your blood sugar levels
- Experiencing low blood glucose levels
- Experiencing low blood glucose levels without any of the typical warning signs
- Building up ketones in your body due to high blood glucose levels
Self blood-glucose tests are also an effective tool in monitoring treatment plans, and identifying when your blood sugar levels are too high or too low. Your doctor may instruct you to test yourself after you eat or exercise, or if you become ill.
What is a Normal Blood-Glucose Range?
When monitoring your blood-glucose levels, it is important to know what your target range is. These numbers indicate the highest and lowest levels your blood sugar should reach. Your doctor will help you determine your specific target range. A number of factors may contribute to what these numbers are:
- The type of diabetes you have
- How long you’ve had diabetes
- Your age
- Whether or not you’re pregnant
- Your current health status including fitness level, diet habits, and other medical conditions
What Happens During Your Appointment
If your doctor determines that it is best for you to self-monitor your blood-glucose levels, they will help you choose the right home monitoring device, and teach you how to use it. There are also non-invasive blood glucose monitors and continuous blood glucose monitoring systems.
Your doctor may also advise you to keep a blood test log which can be reviewed on future office visits. This log should record:
- Date
- Time
- Test results
- Medication and dosage
- Diet and exercise information
You can keep the log in a journal, or you can download one from the American Diabetes Association’s website.
Control Your Diabetes
Self-monitoring is an effective way to keep track of your diabetes treatment, while alerting you immediately if your levels become too high or too low. If you would like to learn more about home self-monitoring, or if you have diabetes and are not currently using a blood-sugar monitoring device, please call (808) 523-0445 or contact us online.
© 2017 National Kidney Foundation. All rights reserved. This material does not constitute medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult a physician for specific treatment recommendations.