Meters and Lancets

After you prick your skin using the lancet you will put a sample of the blood on a test strip. The test strips are coated with one of three active chemicals (glucose oxidase (gloo-kohs ok-si-deys), dehydrogenase (dee-hahy-druh-juh-neys) or hexokinase (hek-suh-kahy-neys)) that interact with the glucose in your blood. The meter will then measure exactly how much glucose is present in your blood.

In order to get the reading, you must place the test strip into the meter. Some meters measure electricity from the sample in order to determine the sugar level. Other meters measure how much light reflects from the sample. Once the meter determines the glucose level, it will display the level as a number, which is your blood sugar level. This number will help you determine whether your blood sugar level is too high or too low. Remember: the key to controlling your Diabetes is to control your blood sugar levels. Serious conditions can occur if your blood sugar level is either too high or too low. Click here to learn more about blood sugar level ranges.

It is recommended that you test your blood sugar before meals, two hours after meals, before bed, in the middle of the night and whenever you feel symptoms of Diabetes (fainting, thirst, hunger, etc). You should also check your blood sugar level when you change medications, feel stress, or are ill.