Diabetes Shoppe: Your Partners in Diabetes Care
Is Home Blood Sugar Testing Necessary?
Years ago, patients with diabetes relied solely on doctors for controlling the illness.
Today, people with diabetes are expected to take charge of their own disease and become
personally involved in health care decisions.
One way people with diabetes can begin to manage their own health is by monitoring their
blood glucose levels. Self-monitoring allows you to keep track of blood sugar and then
make adjustments in meals, activity, or medication as needed. Having blood sugar
information will help avoid emergency hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia
(high blood sugar) situations.
Blood glucose testing is an important part of managing your diabetes to prevent
the development of diabetes- related problems. The blood glucose test involves obtaining a drop
of blood and measuring the amount of glucose in it using a blood
glucose meter. It is important to test on a daily basis because blood glucose levels
can change throughout the day in response to eating, exercising, stress and medication.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that all people with diabetes should test for blood glucose daily. People who use insulin to manage their diabetes should test blood glucose more often. Consult your health care team for the testing schedule that best suits your needs.
