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Blood Sugar Levels

Click here for some tips for Care Partners

TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

Blood glucose (blood sugar) monitoring can help you manage diabetes. Self-checks using a home glucometer (home testing machine) gives your blood glucose level at that time.

Your blood sugar log can help your healthcare professional learn your body's response to your diabetes care plan.

Your healthcare professional may ask you to take fasting blood sugar readings. This type of reading is taken in the morning before you eat or drink anything with calories, which will show you how well your body is able to manage blood sugar levels in the absence of food. 

HOW TO CHECK YOUR BLOOD SUGAR WITH A GLUCOMETER

Note: If your glucometer gives you an error message or is not working properly, look at the user manual for help.

TIPS FOR CHECKING YOUR BLOOD SUGAR AT HOME

  • Some glucometers use other body parts to check your blood sugar, including the forearm, thigh, or fleshy part of the hand.

  • There are spring-loaded lancing devices that make sticking yourself less painful.

  • Stick the side of your fingertip by the fingernail to avoid having sore spots on the frequently used part of the finger.

Click here to learn why LOW blood sugars happen and what to do when you have a low reading. 

Click here to learn why HIGH blood sugars happen and what to do when you have a high reading.

  HOW CARE PARTNERS CAN HELP   

  • Remember that using equipment to check sugars at home can be tricky but issues can often be solved by calling the toll-free phone number on the back of the meter or by contacting the patient's healthcare professional.

  • Talk to your partner through each step of checking their sugar to help them find out what step is causing them problems.

  • If the meter is giving an error message or not working properly, you could help your partner replace the battery to see if that solves the issue.

  • If home test supplies are the issue, encourage your partner to call their pharmacy to order supply refills or see how you can help order supplies.

  • If this issue is coming up repeatedly, your partner may want to discuss with it their healthcare professional.

  • Ask your partner more about their feelings about their difficulties with a home glucose monitor.  You can start by asking them for information on the issue they are facing, what is affecting how important they feel it is to try to address it now, and what might increase its importance for them.