Last Updated on Saturday, 08 August 2009 12:16

Knowing where you stand

The glucose in your blood needs to be kept within healthy limits – typically between 4 - 7mmol/l* before lunch or dinner and under 9mmol/l* two hours after.

Diabetes means your body can’t do this without help. To know when and what help you need, you must monitor your blood glucose level regularly throughout the day.

It’s quick and easy, it takes seconds. Your nurse will talk you through how to use a blood glucose meter.

*that’s millimoles per litre

When to test

Follow the advice of your doctor or nurse to record your blood glucose level. Tests are usually needed several times a day. Your nurse will discuss this and review the patterns with you to offer advice on how to manage your diabetes most effectively.

How to test your blood sugar level

1. Wash your hands with luke warm water and soap, rinse and dry them.

2. Pick one of your fingers (not a thumb or the finger next to it) to take a blood sample.

3. Give it a quick massage to help bring blood to the finger. Using a lancer, prick the side of your finger, it’s less sensitive than the fingertip.

4. Lightly squeeze a drop of your blood onto the test strip.

5. Record the reading from the meter and enter it into your diary.

Your blood sugar will go up and down…don’t worry it’s pretty normal. Your doctor or nurse will help you deal with this to make sure that your blood sugar levels stay nicely balanced.

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