Testing your own blood sugar

Why test your own blood sugar?

Being in control of your diabetes on a day-to-day basis means you can lead a healthy life in the way you choose. Checking your own blood sugar levels tells you how changes in your lifestyle affect your blood sugar levels and gives you a degree of control over your diabetes. For you, blood testing is the best method of being in healthy control of your diabetes.

What is blood testing?

Blood testing for sugar is carried out by putting a drop of blood on a special strip that will give a reading of the sugar level in your blood. Strips can be read by eye, using a colour change chart, or by a small meter. You can discuss which strip and meter to use with your diabetes nurse.

How do I blood test?

Wash your hands in warm water to clean them and encourage blood flow.
Do not use spirit to clean your skin (it toughens your skin and affects the result).
Special needles (lancets) with or without finger-pricking devices are used to prick the sides of the tips of your fingers. (Avoid your thumbs or index fingers - they are very sensitive).
Use a different finger each time you test.
If you have difficulty collecting a drop of blood, put a little vaseline on your finger tip site before pricking.
Get a good drop of blood and then carefully follow the instructions exactly as shown on the leaflet supplied with your strips.
Record all your results on a chart or in a diary (your clinic can supple one).
Your own lancets can be re-used as long as you find this comfortable.
Used lancets should be recapped and dropped into a capped container for safe disposal.
Ensure your meter is properly looked after.
Clean and check with quality control solution as required.
Always calibrate whenever you start to use a new pack of strips.

When do I blood test?

Blood tests before a meal and before bed will show you how well your diabetes is controlled. To get a blood sugar pattern, do one blood test each day for 6 days at a different time each day. Blood tests should be more frequent (2-4 hourly) during infection or other illness. Consistently high or low blood sugars should be reported to your doctor or diabetes nurse.

We have agreed you will blood test at

The range of blood sugar levels for you to aim at is

If you are treated with insulin or diabetes tablets you are exempt from prescription charges. Get form P11 from your DHSS office or GP's surgery. This must be signed by your doctor. Your lancets and blood glucose strips will then be free on a prescription from your GP or hospital clinic. You have to buy your own meters and finger-pricking devices. Ask your diabetes nurse for advice on the best blood glucose-testing meter to suit your needs.