BLOOD GLUCOSE TESTING
CHECKING YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
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Every person with diabetes should have a Glucometer. This is a device you use to test your blood sugar (glucose) levels at home. It’s important to know whether your blood sugar levels are within target to know if your diabetes is well controlled.
Exercise, medication and food intake have an impact on your blood sugar level. You can determine the impact by testing your blood glucose level. It is important to keep good record of our readings – either in a small book or use the in-built memory function on your glucometer. This will your diabetes care team make treatment changes if necessary.
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What can make blood sugar go up?
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If you exercise too little or not at all
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Stress
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Infections
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Some medication
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When you eat more food than what your body needs
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When you eat high GI food
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When you forget to take your medication for diabetes
What can make blood sugar go down?
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When you skip a meal or eat too little
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When you exercise extra
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If you take extra diabetes medication, especially insulin
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Some medication
How often should I test my blood sugar levels?
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On oral medication: 3-5 times a week. Check fasting blood sugar which is when you test first thing in the morning before eating anything.
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Injecting insulin 1 time a day: daily fasting blood sugar first thing in the morning. If HbA1C >7% add a test after your largest meal of the day.
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Injecting insulin 2-4 times a day: 3 times a day.
TARGETS...
FASTING (After not eating for 8hours)
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Adults 4 – 7 mmol/L
Pregnant woman < 5.3 mmol/L