Diabetes comes with its own share of complications that can be life-threatening if not taken seriously. However, with some proactivity, like knowing how to monitor glucose levels at home, you can know when things are spiralling out of control and take measures to restore the proper balance. This guide is going to take you through the blood glucose level monitoring process and how to make sense of the resulting numbers.
Pick the Right Medical Devices
You’ve got two practical options: the fingerstick blood glucose meter and the continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Fingerstick blood glucose meters are reliable and cheap. CGMs give continuous, real-time trends and fewer finger pokes.
If you test rarely and only before meals, start with a fingerstick meter. If you need to know overnight swings or frequent trends, ask about a CGM. Discuss with your clinician which option best suits your lifestyle. Once you’ve reached a consensus, consider visiting a diabetic supply hub close to you to get equipment geared towards helping you live life with diabetes.
When to Check
The best times to check your blood glucose levels are before each meal so you can see your baseline, one to two hours after a meal to see the peak, and before bed to catch nighttime highs or lows.
You can also check it before exercise if you use insulin or feel uncertain, or any time you feel faint, shaky, sweaty, confused, or “off.” Testing at these times reveals patterns, which can help you change one thing at a time and see the result.
What the Numbers Usually Mean
The American Diabetes Association gives common glycemic target ranges that most adults follow. As a general guide, many adults aim for fasting or pre-meal blood sugar levels between 80–130 mg/dL. Two hours after a meal, many teams target less than 180 mg/dL. These targets vary by age, pregnancy status, and other health issues.
If your morning values are often 150 mg/dL, that suggests your overnight or pre-breakfast strategy needs inspection. It could be food late at night, medication timing, or the “dawn phenomenon.”
How to Use a Fingerstick Meter Correctly
Using the fingerstick meter the right way can be the difference between a correct reading and a wrong one. Here are a few ways to get this right:
- Wash and dry your hands before testing.
- Use fresh, unexpired test strips. Store strips in a cool, dry place.
- Insert the strip only when the meter is on and ready.
- Use the side of your fingertip. Gently massage the finger toward the tip for one drop.
- Band-aid the prick only after you’ve stopped bleeding.
If your numbers feel off, test again. If two readings wildly differ, use a different finger or a fresh strip. Many mistakes come from dirty hands or old strips.
Using a CGM
A CGM is a sensor that sits under the skin. It sends blood glucose level readings to a phone or receiver every few minutes. CGMs show direction and speed of change, which can help you prevent lows and highs before they happen.
For example, if your CGM shows a rising arrow after a snack, you can take small corrective action quickly. If it shows a falling arrow before exercise, eat a small snack first.
Making Sense of Blood Sugar Data
One low or one high rarely tells the whole story. Look for trends like high mornings three days in a row, dinner spikes, and whether you dip after a certain medication or workout.
If numbers are consistently high for days, call your clinician. A medication adjustment, meal timing, or insulin dosing may be in order. If a reading is dangerously high and you feel very unwell (nausea, vomiting, fruity breath, deep breathing), seek urgent care.
If you’re under roughly 70 mg/dL, treat quickly. Eat 15 grams of fast carbs, wait 15 minutes and recheck. If still low, repeat. If feeling faint or unable to swallow, seek medical treatment. Know your diabetes care plan and share it with family.
When looking at trends, aim for more “in-range” days than not. Time-in-range is a helpful CGM metric that many clinicians use. It shows the percentage of time you were within target.
Device Care and Troubleshooting
Keep your blood sugar level monitoring tools in perfect condition so they can maintain accurate readings at all times. Here are some activities that can help you with this:
- Replace CGM sensors per manufacturer instructions.
- Keep meters and strips clean and dry.
- Check batteries and app permissions.
- Update the app and firmware when safe.
If you notice repeated strange blood sugar level readings, bring the meter and strips to the clinic for parallel testing. Sometimes home blood sugar monitoring meters drift or strips degrade.
Closing Thoughts
Knowing how to monitor glucose levels at home can be an effective diabetes care method that keeps your health in check, if not to save your life in dire situations. Take the tips this guide has shared, combine them with advice from your trusted doctor, and take your health and well-being into your hands today.
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