Diabetes test at home

A glucometer is a device used to measure diabetes. With this device, blood sugar (i.e., diabetes level) points can be determined at home.

A lancet is used to puncture the tip of the finger in this case. If blood comes out, take a drop of blood on the testing strip and insert it into the machine to test for diabetes.

Regular blood sugar measurements are very important for diabetic patients. Regular monitoring of sugar levels will help control diabetes. It is important to always keep a blood sugar meter handy to avoid various health complications from diabetes.

Doctors generally advise diabetics to measure their blood sugar regularly—on an empty stomach and every two hours after meals—four times a day. However, the frequency and timing of diabetes measurements may vary from patient to patient, depending on their overall health and lifestyle. Talk to your doctor to find out the right advice for you.

Everything you need to measure diabetes at home

Blood sugar measuring machine or glucometer
Sterile lancet
Plastic pen for lancet insertion
Test strip

When buying a glucometer at the pharmacy, you can purchase these items together.

Diabetes test rules at home

Here are seven steps to measure blood sugar at home:

1. First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap or handwash and dry them. You can also disinfect your hands with alcohol pads or hand sanitizer instead of soap. But in that case, you have to wait until the finger is completely dry.

2. Insert the test strip into the designated area of the glucometer. Strips also differ from model to model of glucometer. So choose the right strip according to the specific model. Apart from this, care must be taken to determine whether the strip is fake or expired.

3. Attach a lancet inside the plastic pen and remove the lancet cap. A new needle must be used every time you measure your blood sugar levels. Follow the instructions on the glucometer packaging or the leaflet inside the packet for easy and correct use of the pen.

4. Now hold the pen on one side of the finger and pierce the tip of the finger with the needle. Holding the pen on one side of the finger will reduce the pain. Each blood sugar measurement should use a different finger. A normal drop of blood is enough to measure diabetes on a glucometer.

5. Now place a drop of blood onto the test strip that is attached to the glucometer. Hold the finger in a way that allows the drop of blood to fill the designated area of the test strip. If the blood level is too low, incorrect readings may occur or an error may appear on the glucometer screen.

6. The glucometer screen will display the blood sugar or diabetes point within a few seconds. The glucometer screen usually expresses calculations in mmol/l (millimol/liter) units. If someone’s reading on the screen comes up to 6 mmol/l, then they are diagnosed with diabetes or a blood sugar level of 6 points.

However, some glucometers may display readings in mg/dL (milligrams/deciliter) units. Dividing the result in mg/dL units by 18 gives the result in mmol/l units.

It is better to note the results with date and time in a specific diary or book to keep track of diabetes levels.

7. Finally, dispose of the used needle and strip in the waste basket.

Regularly take care of the glucometer and keep it clean and disinfected according to the instructions.

How many points should diabetes have?

For people with diabetes, doctors set blood sugar targets based on their overall health and lifestyle. Doctors also provide guidance on the frequency and timing of blood sugar measurements using a glucometer.

The blood sugar target for normal, healthy people and diabetic patients is given below: