A blood glucose monitor tests the level of glucose in a person's blood. People who have diabetes mellitus do not produce or their bodies do not properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that converts sugar (glucose), starch and other forms of food into the energy we use to fuel our bodies every day lives. When the body isn't using or producing insulin properly, too much glucose can be left in the blood stream. Some people who suffer from diabetes mellitus use blood glucose monitors at home for self-monitoring of their blood glucose levels.
Used properly, a monitor helps to provide the patient and the healthcare provider with a more detailed picture of how their individual glucose levels fluctuate through the day. Hopefully, this information will help avoid hypoglycemia (not enough glucose in the blood) and hyperglycemia (too much glucose in the blood) as well as control the disease more accurately. Because diet, medication, insulin production, activity level and exercise all play a part in our blood glucose levels, frequent monitoring of those levels with blood glucose monitors can play an important part in controlling and treating diabetes mellitus.
A blood glucose monitor works by pricking the skin with a small lancet, creating a small puncture in the skin that will produce enough blood to be tested. The blood is placed on a testing strip that is then placed into a monitor. The monitor is specially calibrated to produce glucose levels.
What to Look for
You do not need a prescription to buy most monitors, but asking your healthcare provider or pharmacist which monitor would be the best choice for you is a good place to start when looking to buy one. There are many monitors on the market, with prices ranging from $20 to hundreds of dollars. Monitors range from small, portable machines that are great when you're traveling or on the go--to slightly bigger versions for daily use. The more complex editions will accumulate, graph and analyze data from your blood glucose readings. Knowing what information your healthcare provider needs to help you control your glucose levels should help you decide what you need from your monitor.
Common Pitfalls
Diabetes is a complex and confusing disease that will take a lot of work between you and your health care provider to control. Blood glucose monitors will take some education to use accurately, and your readings will only be as precise as how closely you follow the correct procedure for testing. Be sure to use the correct testing strips and check their expiration dates. Blood glucose monitors also need to be calibrated on an ongoing basis--doing this consistently will ensure more accurate results.
