The blood glucose monitoring device is a test system for use at home to measure the amount of glucose in your blood. Glucose is a sugar that your body uses as a source of energy. Unless you have diabetes, your body regulates the amount of glucose in your blood. People with diabetes may need special diets and medications to control blood glucose. You should take this test if you have diabetes and need to monitor your glucose levels at home. You and your doctor can use the results to:
• Determine your daily adjustments in treatment.
• Know if you have dangerously high or low levels of glucose.
• Understand how your diet and exercise change your glucose levels.
Good glucose control using home monitors results in fewer disease complications. Follow your doctor’s recommendations about how often you test. You may need to test yourself several times each day to determine adjustments in your diet or treatment. Your doctor or diabetes educator can tell you what your levels should be. You should treat your low or high blood glucose as recommended.
The accuracy of this test depends on many factors, including:
• The quality of your meter.
• The quality of your test strips.
• How well you follow directions when performing the test.
• Your hematocrit. (the amount of red blood cells in the blood)
• Interfering substances. (possibly including vitamin C, acetaminophen and uric acid; see instructions on your meter)
• Altitude, temperature and humidity.
Store and handle the meter and strips according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some meters require calibration to maintain accuracy. It is important to store test-strip vials closed.
There are many types of meters with different features. Ask your diabetes educator or pharmacist to show you which one might work best for you. You can get information about your meter and test strips from several different sources, including the toll-free number in the manual that comes with your meter or on the manufacturer’s website. If you have an urgent problem, contact your doctor.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, Oct 2017
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