Using Your Blood Glucose Meter:

At-home blood glucose (blood sugar) monitoring devices called GLUCOMETERS (Blood Glucose Meters) provide you with instant feedback and let you know immediately what your blood sugar is. This can give you valuable information about whether your blood sugar is too low, too high or in a good range for you. Keeping a record of your results gives your doctor an accurate picture of how your treatment is working. It's small and easy to take with you. You can test virtually anywhere, anytime.

What You Need:

Blood Glucose Meter
Test strip
Lancet and Lancing Device
A logbook to record results

How to use a Blood Glucose Meter:

1. First, set out your blood glucose meter, a test strip and a lancet.

2. Decide where you are going to obtain the blood from, usually a finger. Some of the newer monitors let you use your forearm or another less sensitive place or alternate site as applicable.

3. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Make sure your hands are completely dry. Sometimes it helps to warm your hands first to make the blood flow easier. You can rub your hands together briskly or run them under warm water.

(If testing on your finger, it's best to lance the side of your finger and alternate using your index, middle and ring fingers.)

4. Place a test strip in the Blood Glucose Meter and your machine will turn on. Watch the indicator for placing the blood to the strip. (Not all meters work the same. Please refer to your Meter User Guide for more information.)

5. Lance your finger (on the side as shown) and place the tip of the test strip to the blood. Remember to alternate hands and fingers for quicker healing.

6. Once the test strip has enough blood the meter will start counting down and within seconds you will have your reading.

7. The blood glucose meter will take a few moments to calculate the blood sugar reading.

8. Write down your results. Keeping a record makes it easier for you and your doctor to establish a good treatment plan. Some glucometers can store your results in a memory, for easier record keeping. Some meters are programmed to download results to a computer to print reports that you can provide to your healthcare team.

Writing down your results is also associated with better blood glucose control. It is a good habit to test everyday when you first awake, after breakfast, after eating and before bedtime. Know your targets and compare your test results against them.

*Blood Glucose Targets, Fasting, 90-130mg/dl, 2 Hours after eating, Less Than 180mg/dl

Glucose Testing Tips:

1. Make sure you keep batteries in stock that fit your glucometer.

2. Lancets come in different gauges. The higher the number, the finer the lancet. A 21 gauge lancet may not be as comfortable as a 30 gauge lancet.

3. Dispose of your lancets in a puncture-proof container, such as a laundry detergent bottle with a screw-on cap, to prevent needle-stick accidents. Many hospitals and pharmacies have a "sharps drop off" program where you can bring your container when it is full.

4. Keep your Blood Glucose Meter and test strips in a clean, dry place.

5. Discuss with your doctor how often and at what times of the day to test.

6. Test your blood glucose DAILY!

Health Tip #:006

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is good for everyone. Check with your doctor before you start any exercise program. Your doctor may want to run some tests to see how your heart, blood vessels, eyes, feet, and nerves are doing. Your blood pressure, blood fat levels, glycohemoglobin levels, and body fat must also be checked. Your health care team can instruct you on how to start an exercise plan.

Look for an activity that you enjoy. Make sure it’s right for your current level of fitness. Walking may be a good way to get started. It is convenient and low in cost. All you need to get started are cotton socks and a pair of supportive shoes that fit well.

With regular exercise you can reduce stress, increase energy, lose weight, lower blood sugar, and help control your blood pressure. In the long run you’ll feel better and love the way you look.

Better Living Now is a proud supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation:

© 2007 by Vanderbilt University

Reference: American Diabetes Association:

There are 23.6 million children and adults in the US with diabetes -- 5.7 million people are undiagnosed and 57 million have a condition called pre-diabetes.
Take this test to see if you are at risk for having or developing type 2 diabetes.

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Using Your Blood Glucose Meter:

What You Need:

How to use a Blood Glucose Meter:

Glucose Testing Tips:

Health Tip #:006

Exercise Regularly

Better Living Now is a proud supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation:

© 2007 by Vanderbilt University

Reference: American Diabetes Association:

Reference: American Diabetes Association:

There are 23.6 million children and adults in the US with diabetes -- 5.7 million people are undiagnosed and 57 million have a condition called pre-diabetes. Take this test to see if you are at risk for having or developing type 2 diabetes.

There are 23.6 million children and adults in the US with diabetes -- 5.7 million people are undiagnosed and 57 million have a condition called pre-diabetes.
Take this test to see if you are at risk for having or developing type 2 diabetes.