When the doctor shows you how to draw blood to test he uses his index finger. So you may imagine that this is the finger to use and you fill it with holes till it becomes bruised. The question is where can we draw our testing blood from?
● Wash your hands with soap and water (don’t use an alcohol wipe, which can interfere with test results), and aim for the side of the top part of your finger, roughly in the middle. This area has fewer nerve endings than your finger pad, and is therefore less painful to prick.
If you've pricked your finger and still don’t have enough blood to do the test, hang your hand down below the waist for five seconds.
If necessary, you can gently squeeze your finger beginning at the base (near the hand) and move outward. Try not to squeeze your fingertip!
If necessary, you can gently squeeze your finger beginning at the base (near the hand) and move outward. Try not to squeeze your fingertip!
Controlling your blood glucose is very important part of managing diabetes. Regularly testing your blood glucose helps measure the effectiveness of your dietary planning, exercise and medication.
(See link health.com)
(See link health.com)
To self-test your blood glucose, you need a blood glucose meter, a test strip and a finger pricker. Then, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands in warm water and dry thoroughly. * (this will remove and substances which may interfere with the test results).
- Prick the side of your finger with the lancing device to obtain a drop of blood.
- Apply the drop to the test strip as directed.
- Wait a few seconds to view your results.
- Discard the lancet and test strip properly.
If you are going out for the day and think hand-washing facilities won’t be available, pack a wet flannel in a plastic bag to wipe your fingers with before you test your blood sugar. It is best not to use 'wipes' as these can alter your blood glucose reading.
(see link accu-check)
(see link accu-check)
Blood glucose targets
It is important that the blood glucose levels being aimed for are as near normal as possible (that is in the range of those of a person who does not have diabetes). These are:
- 3.5–5.5mmol/l* before meals
- less than 8mmol/l, two hours after meals.
There are many different opinions about the ideal range to aim for. As this is so individual to each person, the target levels must be agreed between the person and their diabetes team. (see link diabetes.org.uk)
Diagnosed with Diabetes
Check out : Links below
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20469215_7,00.html
https://www.accu-chek.co.uk/gb/basics/monitoring.html
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Monitoring/Testing/#glucose
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