1. Fill the Cup
One of the first ways doctors test for high blood sugar is with a urine sample. People with high blood sugar often have glucose in their urine. Normally urine contains very little glucose, so this test is the first indicator that blood sugar levels are above normal. Urine screenings are a routine part of most regular physicals. A doctor may ask for a urine sample if she suspects high blood sugar. If the urine sample tests positive for glucose, further blood testing will determine just how high the blood sugar is.
2. Fasting for Results
The fasting glucose test is usually the next step in testing for high blood sugar. The test happens after an eight to ten hour fast. Blood is tested to determine the blood glucose level right at the time of testing. Since blood glucose levels fluctuate, the American Diabetes Association recommends testing at least two different times to get a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes. Many pregnant women have a fasting glucose test to determine if they have gestational diabetes.
3. Daily Testing
Once a person has a confirmed diabetes diagnosis, daily blood tests help regulate medication, insulin and food intake. Some people test more than once a day depending on the severity of their diabetes. Others may test only two or three times per week. Working closely with your endocrinologist is important to understand how often and when you need to test. Daily testing involves just a drop of blood from the end of a finger. Many new glucose meters give instant results and make record keeping easier than ever before. New methods also allow testing at other sights besides the fingers to reduce pain and the amount of blood needed for best results.
4. Biannual Blood Test
A couple of times per year your doctor will take an A1c test. This blood test measures your glucose levels over a period of three months to get a percentage. The A1c test gives a percentage. Diabetics need to keep their A1c percentage near 7. Although that's not always possible, a percentage less than 8 is still good. Anything over 8 usually means a treatment plan change.
5. Keeping Control
When you have diabetes keeping good records of blood glucose levels helps keep the disease under control. Better blood sugar means better health and quality of life for persons with diabetes. Most blood sugar testing supplies are Medicare approved and can be ordered through the mail and delivered right to your front door. So, there's really no reason not to test and test often. Knowing your numbers keeps you in control of diabetes and not the other way around.
