Glucometer for monitoring diabetes - 5 things to keep in mind

Planning to invest in a glucometer to monitor your blood glucose level? You must read this!

If you are planning to buy a glucometer for the first time and are wondering how to go about it, here are a few points you need to bear in the mind before buying one. It goes without saying that the use of a glucometer has made it easy to monitor the blood glucose level. Want to know which glucometer to buy? Our expert Dr Pradeep Gadge, diabetologist, Shreya Diabetes Centre, Mumbai sheds light on the main aspects about glucometer everyone should know.

#1. If you have a glucometer at home, you can check your blood glucose level at any time of the day or night at your convenience. Whether you have a glucometer at home or not, you should always go for regular check-ups as advised by the doctor as lab tests are more reliable than glucometer readings. This is because a glucometer gives you a fairly reliable result only when your blood sugar is in the range of 70 150 mg/dl. If your levels are more or less than this range, there may be inaccuracies in the reading.

#2. A glucometer provides a quick reading of postprandial (post meals) and fasting blood glucose level, helping you to keep a track of the changes in the blood glucose level. In most cases, fasting blood glucose level is 100 120 mg/dl and postprandial blood glucose level is around 140 mg/dl. The difference between the glucometer reading and lab reading is very negligible and hence, it can be used to check blood glucose at home. Click on the link to know how often should diabetics use a glucometer to monitor blood glucose levels.

#3. Not many people are aware of the fact that a glucometer can show a difference in the readings if the blood glucose level is either higher or lower than the normal range of 70 150 mg/dl. If your blood glucose reading is between 150 200 mg/dl, then a difference of around 20 30 units is seen in some cases, whereas for readings above 250 mg/dl, a difference of around 50 100 units is seen. In such cases, you should consult a doctor and get a lab test done for proper readings. The same difference in the reading is seen for blood glucose readings below 70 mg/dl. Here's everything about blood glucose tests and how to read your reports.

#4. When using a glucometer, wash your hands with soap and water and pat dry before checking your blood glucose. Also, wipe the instrument properly with a clean cloth prior to testing. Make sure that the strips are stored properly, away from direct heat and moisture as it can lead to wrong reading. If the glucometer has a coding system, then be careful to feed the right code.

#5. Another important point is to not check your blood glucose immediately after eating. If there are traces of rice or dal on your fingers, which is nothing but carbohydrates, there is a high chance of a wrong reading, if checked immediately after having meals. Here's more on instruments to check blood glucose levels at home.

There are numerous brands that manufacture glucometer and can be easily bought online. However, check whether it is reliable and always speak to your doctor before buying, about the quality. Also, read about things your diabetologist wants you to know.

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