Guide to Blood Glucose Monitoring for Diabetics

Almost all people with diabetes need to have their blood sugar levels tested regularly. Regular testing can help patients and doctors better control blood sugar and prevent diabetic complications. For patients with diabetes, it is necessary to understand the basic issues of blood sugar monitoring, such as: When do you need to measure blood sugar? How to record blood sugar test results? When do you need to report blood sugar test results to the doctor? What factors will affect blood sugar measurement results? The following Xiaonuo will answer your questions one by one.

 

1. When is it necessary to measure blood sugar? Every patient’s condition is different. It is best to ask your doctor about the time and frequency of measuring blood sugar. In general, patients with diabetes may need to measure their blood sugar levels multiple times a day, such as before meals, 2 hours after meals, before exercise, before going to bed, before driving, or when they feel their blood sugar is too low. During illness, such as colds and fevers, blood sugar needs to be monitored more frequently and closely. Optional blood glucose monitoring methods

 

1. The fingertip blood glucose measurement method uses a small and sharp lancet to prick the skin of the fingertip and place a drop of blood on the test paper. Then put the test paper into the measuring instrument and read the value after the result is displayed. Some blood glucose meters can also report the average blood sugar level over a period of time and display the blood sugar status at different time points during this period in the form of a chart.

 

2. Blood glucose measurement methods in other parts of the body. The new blood glucose meter can measure blood glucose in areas other than the fingertips of the human body, such as the upper arm, forearm, thumb abdomen, thigh, etc. The results measured at these locations may be somewhat different from those measured at fingertips, because fingertip blood sugars usually change more rapidly than blood sugar levels in other parts of the body, especially when human blood sugar levels change significantly after meals or exercise. time period, this change is more obvious. If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as dizziness, dark eyes, rapid heartbeat, cold sweat, etc., you should try to measure your blood sugar with your fingertips, as the results will be more accurate.

 

3. Continuous glucose monitor This type of device is also called a dynamic glucose monitor and is usually connected to an insulin pump. The test results are similar to those of fingertip blood sugar measurements, and can also display blood sugar fluctuation patterns and blood sugar trends over a period of time.

 

2. How to record blood sugar test results? Keep blood sugar, urine sugar and ketone body test results properly. Most blood glucose monitors have the function of saving data, and the saved records can show some early warning signals and blood sugar fluctuation trends. If you don't have this function, you may have to use paper and pen to record it yourself. It is best to bring the results of these blood glucose records every time you go to the hospital so that the doctor can adjust the patient's meal plan, medication plan, and exercise plan based on the results.

 

3. What should I consult with the doctor? Ask the doctor in advance about the ideal blood sugar control range based on your own condition, and formulate a response plan for excessively high or low blood sugar measurement results, as well as a plan to communicate with the doctor. Patients should have a certain understanding of the symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia and know some simple countermeasures.

 

4. What factors will affect the blood sugar measurement results? Many factors will affect the blood sugar measurement results, such as the patient suffering from anemia or gout at the same time, or the temperature in the place is too high or the climate is humid, or even the altitude is too high. It should be pointed out that different patients have different fluctuation ranges of blood sugar within a day, and you should consult your doctor for the specific ideal range.

 

5. Self-monitoring of blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin. To control diabetes, regular monitoring of HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) is also very important. Glycated hemoglobin generally reflects the average blood sugar level of diabetic patients over the past 6 to 8 weeks. Many home blood glucose monitors can display the average blood glucose level over a period of time. This number is related to the glycated hemoglobin level, but the glycated hemoglobin test generally requires going to the hospital.