Home Blood Glucose Test

Blood Glucose, Home Monitoring

What To Think About

• If you think a test result from your meter is different from what you expected, repeat the test. If you get similar results with the second test, you may need to talk with your doctor about what to do next.
• You can write down the results and the time that you tested your blood. But most meters will store results for many days or weeks, so you can always go back later and retrieve them. This can help you and your doctor determine whether the steps you take to control your diabetes are working.
• There are several different styles of home blood glucose meters on the market today. Each meter has slightly different features. Look for a meter that fits your needs. You can also search the Internet for home glucose monitoring equipment.
• Most insurance programs cover the cost of home blood glucose testing equipment. Find out if your insurance company requires a letter or prescription from your doctor for reimbursement purposes.
• Routine prenatal visits and regular home blood glucose monitoring are very important for pregnant women with diabetes. Women who keep their blood glucose levels within a recommended range increase their chances of having healthier babies and decrease their chances of having diabetes-related complications.
• You can check the accuracy of your blood sugar meter when your blood sugar test is done at the doctor's office or lab. To do so, test your blood sugar using your blood glucose meter at the same time the lab test is done. If your meter is accurate, the results should be no more than 15% above or below the lab's results. Your doctor may suggest that you do this if your recorded home values do not match the results obtained in the doctor's office.
• Safely dispose of your lancets after using them. Do not throw them into the household trash. A used lancet might accidentally stick someone. Place used lancets into a plastic container, such as an empty detergent bottle. Seal the container when it is about three-quarters full. Check with your local trash disposal agency about the proper disposal of lancets. Some agencies have specific instructions for the disposal of medical waste. Sometimes your doctor's office will dispose of them for you.
• A urine test for sugar is not an accurate indication of blood glucose levels. But urine testing may be used to check for a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. For more information, see the medical test Ketones.
• An automatic glucose monitoring device, the GlucoWatch, is worn much like a wristwatch and uses perspiration to measure the amount of glucose in the blood. This device may be useful as an additional monitoring tool, but it should not replace home blood sugar testing. Devices that you can wear, like insulin pumps, can check your blood sugar every 5 minutes. These are called continuous glucose monitors. They may be very helpful, but they do not entirely replace the need for home glucose monitors.
• Most people with diabetes will have a hemoglobin A1c test done 2 to 4 times each year. This test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. The results of your A1c test should match the results that you get with your home blood glucose meter. If they do not match, your blood sugar level may be high at times when you are not checking it, or your meter may not be accurate. You can check the accuracy of your blood sugar meter when your blood sugar test is done at your doctor's office or lab. To do so, test your blood sugar using your blood glucose meter at the same time the lab test is done. If your meter is accurate, the results should be no more than 15% above or below the lab's results. Your doctor may suggest that you do this if results of your A1c do not match the recorded home blood sugar values. For more information about A1c, see the topic Glycohemoglobin (GHb).

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Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: September 14, 2007
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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