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LIVING WITH DIABETES - BLOOD GLUCOSE TESTING
This article is an
excerpt from the book Living Well with
Diabetes from the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation.
Here is a summary of
the guidelines that will help you manage your
diabetes for a lifetime of good health.
Blood Glucose Testing
How to Test Your Blood Glucose
To know if your meal plan,
exercise and medication are working to control
your blood glucose, it is important to test your
own blood glucose.Selecting and maintaining your
personal blood glucose goal is the basis for
your treatment plan according to the American
Diabetes Association.
The traditional blood glucose testing method
involves pricking your finger with a lancet (a
small, sharp needle), putting a drop of blood on
a test strip and using a meter that displays
your blood glucose level. Blood glucose meters
and test strips are available at your local
pharmacy.
Meters vary in features, readability,
portability and cost. Some meters also feature
management software kits that retrieve
information (data) from the meter and display
graphs and charts of the meter owners own blood
glucose levels.This data can be used with your
health care provider to determine how your
diabetes is being managed.
A newer blood glucose testing method was
approved in November. 1988 and features a laser
to draw blood. The laser device produces a
precise beam of light, which penetrates the skin
on the finger instead of pricking it to reduce
pain and discomfort.
Blood glucose testing is usually done before
meals and/or at bedtime. Your health care
provider will tell you when and how often you
should check your blood glucose.Only testing
your blood glucose before breakfast can be
misleading and is not an accurate method. A
random sampling of blood glucose before
breakfast, before dinner and at bedtime is most
helpful. More frequent testing is suggested if
you are sick.
The chart below gives you an idea of where
your blood glucose level should be. Your blood
glucose range may be different from another
person's and will change throughout the day.
Recommended Blood Glucose for People with
Diabetes*
|
Time
of test |
Goal |
Acceptable |
|
Before
Meals |
80-120
mg/dl |
80-140
mg/dl |
|
Before
Bedtime Snack |
100-140
mg/dl |
100-160
mg/dl |
When to Call Your
Doctor
In most cases,
fasting blood glucose more than 180mg/dl is too
high and blood glucose less than 70mg/dl is too
low.If your blood glucose is less than 70mg/dl
and you have more than one unexplained blood
glucose reaction a week, call your doctor.
If your blood glucose is greater than 180 mg/dl
for more than a week or if you have two
consecutive readings greater than 300 mg/dl,
call your doctor. In most cases, your doctor
will suggest changes in your diabetes
management.
Testing Urine for Ketones
When your body
uses its own fat for energy instead of glucose,
ketones appear in your urine. This usually
happens when your blood glucose is more than 300
mg/dl. If ketones build up in your blood, an
emergency condition called ketoacidosis can
occur.
Testing for ketones is done by dipping a ketone
strip into your urine. The test strip changes
color and is then compared to a color chart.
If you have type 1 diabetes, test your urine
for ketones when:
-
Your blood glucose is over
300 mg/dl
-
You feel sick (have a cold,
the flu, or other illness) and have nausea
or vomiting
If you have type 2 diabetes,
test your urine for ketones when:
-
You feel sick (have a cold,
the flu, or other illness) and have nausea
or vomiting
-
Your blood glucose level is
high most of the time
Recording
Your Test Results
Keep good
records of any blood, urine or ketone tests you
do. Your records can help alert you to any
problems. Also, these test records help your
doctor make any needed changes in your meal
plan, medication or exercise program. Bring
these records with you every time you visit your
doctor.
When to Call Your Doctor
The result of your
urine test for ketones should always be
negative. Any positive results should be
reported to your doctor immediately. You should
also call your doctor right away if your blood
glucose remains elevated or if you have stomach
pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing or sweet
smelling breath.
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