What is a blood glucose test?
A blood glucose test is used to determine the sugar level (glucose value) in the blood. This is particularly important for diabetics: due to a dysfunction of the pancreas, too little or no insulin is produced – a hormone that is necessary for the body’s cells to absorb sugar from the blood for energy utilization. Many diabetics therefore have to inject themselves with insulin before every meal. In order to know how much hormone is required in each individual case, the sugar must be measured beforehand.
When should you measure your blood sugar?
Blood glucose should be measured in the morning and evening and before (and possibly after) each meal in order to be able to calculate the correct amount of insulin for the planned food intake.
How do you take a blood glucose test?
Before you start measuring your blood glucose, you should wash your hands with soap and water and then dry them well. If there is still moisture on the skin, the drop of blood will be diluted, which will falsify the measured value. Disinfectants for cleaning are not necessary. Before you prick your finger with the lancet in the lancing device, you can shake out your arms and hands or gently massage your finger to stimulate blood circulation.
Measuring blood glucose without pricking?
Measuring blood glucose without pricking – this is a wish of many patients, but one that is unlikely to be fulfilled in the near future. Despite extensive research on animal tear fluid, there is still no other way to reliably measure blood glucose than by pricking the finger. The results of tests on tears cannot be transferred from animal to animal. Test strips that determine the sugar level in urine only react from a sugar level of 160 to 180 mg%, which is far too high (the value should not exceed 125 mg%).
Measuring blood sugar without blood?
A new method allows blood glucose to be measured without blood – using a sensor that is implanted under the skin on the upper arm and continuously measures the blood glucose value from the interstitial fluid. The sensor works for 14 days and the data can be retrieved at any time using a reader. However, if blood glucose levels are very low or very high, blood glucose should be measured in the conventional way.
Measuring blood glucose without test strips?
New devices that are specially designed for on-the-go use make it possible to measure blood glucose without test strips. They are a combination of blood glucose meter, lancing device and tests in a cassette.
What are the risks of measuring blood glucose?
What do I have to consider after measuring my blood sugar?
Depending on the current blood glucose level, diabetics must inject a certain amount of insulin after measuring their blood glucose. This is the only way the blood sugar can be utilized in the body. This is very important to avoid hypoglycemia.
