How to Use a Blood Glucose Meter?

As a patient of diabetes everyone asks their doctor about how to use a blood glucose meter? Here are some easy steps described, so as to get an idea about the use of glucose meter on your own. This glucose meter is an instrument which monitors concentration of blood glucose present in the body. Many patients who suffer from diabetes are suggested by their physician to check their blood glucose levels using this glucose meter.

As there are a number of instruments available in the market, sometimes it becomes confusing to select one and operate. With the correct understanding of monitoring, you can easily check blood glucose levels.

Glucose Meter

How to Use a Blood Glucose Meter

Glucose meters are important part of diabetes tool kit for those who are having type 1 diabetes. Most of all blood glucose meters are exact depending on how one uses it. To find the blood glucose meter that fulfills your needs, here are some important points to keep in mind:

  • Nearly all the meters are about 3 to 4 inches in length and also width, and have weight between 1 and 5 ounces.
  • You can easily carry it in your purse or backpack. There are some small meters which contain very small display screens. If your eyesight is not that much perfect, these meters may not be best for you.
  • The newer models use less than 0.3 microliters of blood whereas a conventional model uses nearly 1.0 microliter or less to get accurate reading.
  • Every meter has its own memory, which can store minimum data of nearly 10 to 125 tests. Most record 250 - 500 tests and some can also record up to 3,000 tests.
  • Some meters offer software which have the ability to e-mail your test results to your doctor. So if you think this is an important feature that you need, you can go for it
  • Most blood is taken after a finger prick from a lancing device. But some meters permit obtaining the blood sample from other areas like forearm, upper arm, leg, etc.
  • Cost is also an important factor when buying glucose meter. Local pharmacy sells glucose meter between 20 and 90 dollars. Along with this, the cost of glucose testing strips ranges from about 50 cents to 1 dollar per strip which specifically depends on the model.
  • Always consult your insurance company before buying your meter. Some insurance companies also provide exposure for particular meters.

How to use a Blood Glucose Meter?

We all are familiar that the glucose meter is used to check blood glucose or blood sugar which helps to manage your diabetes. Here are important points to teach you how to use a blood glucose meter.

Getting Ready

  • Wash your hands properly with warm water and medicated soap for at least 15 seconds. Rinse and towel dry you hands.

Get your Supplies

  • Meter
  • Test strips
  • Lancing device
  • Needle, i.e. lancet
  • Open the lancing device and adjust a needle in the device. Take off the cap of the needle. Keep in mind not to touch the needle.
  • Put the cover on the device. Set the spring properly on the device, so that it is prepared to be used to stick you.
  • Take a test strip out of the bottle and put the cap back on the bottle
  • Put that strip in the meter. This will result in turning of the meter on.
  • Match the code on meter screen with that of the code for your test strips
  • This code of test strip is printed on the bottle or package
  • When the test strip symbol appears on the screen, the meter is prepared for a drop of blood.

Checking the Blood Sugar

  • Pick up the lancing device and keep it in one of your fingers
  • Push the button of the device to free the needle. You will sense the needle stick.
  • Press your finger to get a large drop of blood
  • Based on the type of test strip:
  • Touch the test strip with the drop of blood
  • Put the blood drop on the test area
  • Make sure that the strip fills completely with blood
  • The meter will take some time and then your blood sugar number will blink on the screen.
  • Write this blood sugar number in a log book or your blood sugar diary. Clean up all the supplies.
  • Remove the test strip and discard it
  • Remove the needle and throw it into a puncture proof container
  • Store this needle container away from children
  • Wash your hands again