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If you take rapid-acting or short-acting insulin before meals, the blood sugar test results can help you determine how much insulin to take before each meal. If your blood sugar level is high, you may need extra insulin. If your blood sugar level is low, you may need to eat before you take any insulin. Keep track of your blood sugar levels to see what makes them go up or down. Smartphone users may soon be able to check their blood glucose level without having to take a blood sample, using a new app for iOS and Android.
Monitor your health closely if diabetes runs in your family. If people in your family have diabetes, you're more likely to develop it. That's particularly true if the person is a parent or sibling. Of course, you can't change genetics, but you should be aware that it puts you at higher risk. Watch your health if you belong to certain minority groups.
What are symptoms of untreated diabetes?
This hormone stimulates your liver to release glucose into your bloodstream, which can make you feel hungry again. Finally, you should test your blood sugar after a meal. This will allow you to make sure that the food you’re eating is safe and healthy for you. If your blood sugar is high, it means that more insulin was required to bring it down to a safe level. If it’s low, it means that the meal was not a good choice for you because more carbohydrates were required than usual. If you take certain medication, like insulin or sulphonylureas, checking your blood sugars is a vital part of living with diabetes.
You have to double check if your glucose strip is compatible with your glucometer. Take note of where you bought your glucometer so you know where to run to when you need to restock on glucose strips. Current models require users to test a drop of blood twice daily to calibrate, or adjust, the monitor. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
How can I treat high blood sugar?
Keep good records of any blood, urine, or ketone tests you do. These test records help your doctor make any needed changes in your meal plan, medicine, or exercise program. Bring these records with you every time you see your doctor. An accurate reading of the blood glucose level can help achieve good diabetes control. People with prediabetes, or borderline diabetes, are at risk of developing diabetes if they do not act quickly to manage their blood sugar. They should talk to their doctors and continue regularly monitoring blood glucose.
Youâll be given a testing kit that you can use to check your blood sugar level. Kids with diabetes of any type need to check their glucose levels, too. Children may need to test more often than adults, especially if they use insulin. Place the lancing device flat against the side of your fingertip, then press the button to let the spring go. You can find these at pharmacies or most big box stores.
Understanding Results Of Blood Sugar Testing
You may be having symptoms of high blood sugar or low blood sugar, which could indicate diabetes or another condition. Blood sugars that surge up and down steeply--up towards the 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l) level can cause mood swings, but not severe depression. For most people, blood sugar swings are more likely to cause nothing more troubling than sleepiness. What you need to do is to test your blood sugar after you have eaten a meal that contains about sixty grams of carbohydrates. The CDC recommends that if your readings are unusually low (below 60 mg/dL) or high (above 300 mg/dL), you call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention.
You prick your finger with a small, sharp needle called a lancet, put a drop of blood on a test strip, and then place the strip into a meter that displays your blood sugar levels. Record the test results so you can share them with your doctor. Based on your results, the two of you may adjust your diet, exercise, or medication. Blood sugar levels are important for a variety of reasons. They can tell you when you’re hungry, thirsty, and sick, and they can help you avoid or treat serious diseases. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to check blood sugar without a meter.
Common Alternatives To The Finger Prick Method
A blood glucose monitor, testing strips, and a lancet to draw the blood are all necessary for testing. Some testing kits offer all three, while others require separate purchases for each piece. If you have diabetes, there are several portable devices you can use to check your blood sugar level — and not all of them require a finger prick. Prior to using meters, people with diabetes would monitor their blood sugar by testing their urine. This method, however, wasn’t as accurate, nor did it provide real-time results. Blood sugar testing requires the use of a blood sugar meter.
Self-monitoring your blood glucose may be vital to your treatment. Testing your own levels allows you to learn how to manage your blood sugar regardless of the time of day or where you are. When you bring your log to your health care provider, youll have a good picture of your body’s response to your diabetes care plan. To help keep track of your levels, we have a glucose log. We also have a blood glucose log available for purchase that is smaller so you can carry it with you.
When one twin has type 2 diabetes, the other's risk is three in four at most. If diabetes was controlled entirely by genes, then both identical twins would get diabetes. Yes, you can decline a glucose screening or test, but opting out is not recommended. Since most women with gestational diabetes don’t have any symptoms, getting tested may be the only way to find out if you have the condition. To get an accurate result on the OGTT, eat about 150 grams of carbohydrates each day for 3 days before the test.
If youre looking for a fast and easy way to check your blood sugar levels, the finger prick method may be the best option for you. Just make sure to keep your fingers dry and clean to get the most accurate reading. An oral glucose tolerance test entails drinking a beverage containing glucose and then having your blood glucose levels checked every 30 to 60 minutes for up to 3 hours. If the glucose level is 200 mg/dL or higher at 2 hours, then you might have diabetes.
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