How to Perform SMBG Testing
- Place a small amount of blood on a disposable test strip coated with chemicals that combine with glucose.
- Insert the strip into the monitor, which measures glucose by determining how much electricity can pass though the blood sample or how much light reflects from it.
- The glucose level appears as a number on the monitor. Some monitors store test results, which can be transferred to a computer and printed or sent to the doctor.
Even if the monitor has a memory, it's important to keep a written record of results. These notes, which should include information about diet, activity, and the time the tests were taken, show how and when blood glucose values change. Take the record book to every appointment with the doctor or diabetes educator.
Inserted under the skin, continuous glucose monitors measure glucose levels in fluid around cells. Sensors relay information to a beeper-sized box or to a compatible insulin pump, which stores it. "The sensors track blood sugar trends," McLaughlin notes. "One shows how rapidly and for how long after a meal blood sugar rises or falls. This indicates whether insulin, food intake, or exercise should be adjusted."
Here are some factors to consider before testing blood glucose levels:
- Prepare the puncture site
- Make sure circulation is adequate at the site
- Use several different blood glucose monitors
- Handle and store monitors properly
- Retest if results don't reflect how he or she feels
- Contact the doctor if the problem continues
- Dispose of used test strips, lancets, and other waste materials
- Change batteries when Daylight Saving Time goes into effect
The best time for SMBG testing depends on medication, mealtimes, and sugar control. Taken during the night, fasting blood sugar (FBG) can indicate a need to adjust medication or long-acting insulin. Measuring blood glucose before a meal or at bedtime can determine whether diet or medication should be modified. SMBG testing an hour or two after eating may reflect the highest blood sugar of the day. It shows how food affects glucose levels.
The doctor may recommend more frequent testing if your loved one:
- Is ill
- Starts taking one or more new medications
- Changes his or her diet, exercise routine, or activity level
- Is experiencing stress or unusual circumstances