How to Monitor Blood Sugar

To test your blood sugar, all you need is a blood glucose meter, a test strip and a lancet device. Generally speaking, you'll want to:

1. Wash and dry your hands—using warm water may help the blood flow¹
2. Follow the manufacturer's instructions included with your lancet device to get a drop of blood—shaking your hands below the wrist or gently squeezing your finger a few times may help¹
3. Apply the drop to the strip as directed
4. View your test result within a few seconds
5. Discard the lancet properly

Choosing the Right Meter for You

There are many blood sugar meters to choose from, so start by thinking about what's most important to you.

•  Do you feel like you're always short on time? A blood glucose meter that gives results quickly or a system that saves you a few minutes loading test strips or lancets each time may be right for you.
•  Are you looking for a way to reduce the pain of testing? Choose a system that includes a lancet device specifically designed to help reduce the pain of testing.
•  Will you track test results in the blood sugar meter or on a computer? Some blood sugar meters have built-in memories, while others can transfer data directly to your computer.
•  Has your doctor agreed that you can perform some tests on sites besides the fingertip? Choose a system that's approved for alternate sites.
•  Do you want to make sure it's covered by insurance? Check your health plan. ACCU-CHEK^® products , for example, are included as "preferred" by most health plans, where they qualify for maximum benefits.

Think about what will make testing easier for you, then look for a system that satisfies your own needs.

¹ Joslin Diabetes Center, "Blood Glucose Monitoring: Your Tool for Diabetes Control" (2006). Available at http://www.joslin.org/managing_your_diabetes_650.asp . Accessed February 3, 2006.