How To Perform A Blood Glucose Test At Home?
Managing blood sugar levels is very important if you are a diabetic. Whether you check them once or twice a day or multiple times a day, you need to have a good quality device to do so like a blood glucose Meter. Blood glucose Meters are something every diabetic should have to make sure their blood sugar, or glucose, levels are at safe levels.
How to Choose a Glucose Meter
There are a wide variety of blood glucose Meters available on the market, all with different benefits and features to meet the requirements diabetics may have. For instance, if you have to check your blood sugar levels often throughout the day, you may prefer a device that can record and store a large number of readings. People who test on the go won’t want to lug around a heavy Meter so a more compact and lightweight device would be ideal. Larger Meters are often better for people who only test at home or who have vision troubles.
Those who are more tech-savvy can choose a device with several enhanced features that will make their monitoring routines work for them. There are also devices that are more simple and more straightforward in their functionality.
Since there is no shortage of choices when it comes to blood glucose Meters, you should make sure that the one you decide on will work with your particular circumstances and lifestyle. Using a Meter that is too complicated or difficult to use could end up giving you inaccurate readings.
Another thing to consider is what your healthcare provider recommends. Does your doctor or nurse suggest a specific Meter they think will be best for you? It’s worth contacting your GP for surgery to find out.
Factors That Can Affect Glucose Readings
Having accurate readings is essential to keeping diabetes under control. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a wide range of serious complications so if you are worried that you’re getting inaccurate readings, it may be due to one or more of these reasons.
- User technique: Become familiar with your device and test strips because user error is the main cause of inaccurate readings. Practice wherever possible or contact your GP for help learning how to use your Meter.
- Dirty testing site: Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before testing so that you don’t have any debris, cosmetics, or food distorting your results.
- Incompatible test strips: We are all trying to cut costs where we can, but sometimes a deal is too good to be true. The strips you buy need to be compatible with your Meter for you to get accurate readings. Also, check that they are still on a date.
- Changes in Meters or strips: Periodically manufacturers can make changes or upgrades to their machines or test strips. If you aren’t sure if your Meter and strips are still compatible, speak to the manufacturer or to the company you bought them from.
- Health conditions: If you have anemia or gout, this can throw off your readings as can have high levels of vitamin C.
- Location: If you’re at a high elevation or in a hot or humid climate, your readings may not be accurate. Even extreme room temperatures can impact readings.
Test Strips
After choosing your blood glucose Meter, visit us for affordable, high-quality test strips. With us, you can buy 4Sure Test Strips, Accu-Chek Test Strips, and Caresens Test Strips online with swift, low-cost delivery.