DIABETES TESTING Tips

Diabetes test tips and tricks
By taking the blood glucose diabetes test, you can make smart choices about managing your diabetes. For example, you can decide when and how much medicine to take, when to exercise and when to eat meals or snacks. And you’ll ensure good results when you follow these tips:

Strip tips

1) Always use a fresh test strip. Diabetes test strips are only good for three months after opening the vial.
2) Code your meter. When opening a new container of diabetes test strips, be sure to code your meter using control solution and a new strip.

Sample tips

1) Wash and dry your hands. Before performing your diabetes test, use an alcohol
pad to clean the area that you're going to prick.  (Washing your hands in hot water gets the blood flowing).
2) Use a fresh lancet. Prick yourself with a fresh, sterile lancet to get a drop of blood.
Reusing lancets can lead to calluses, infections and increased pain.
3) Try the side. It may be easier and less painful to prick your fingertip on one side, not
on the pad — especially if you perform this diabetes test several times a day.
4) Dangle and squeeze. If you have trouble getting a sample, try dangling your hand below your heart for a minute then slowly squeeze from the base to the tip.

Bad results?

1) If the entire color spot area of the diabetes test strip does not show full color development (not enough blood) or appears “wet” (too much blood), discard the strip and repeat the diabetes test with a new test strip.
2) If your diabetes test results in an abnormally high or low test reading (a number you feel does not match your symptoms), use control solution to check that your meter is coded properly. Then, retest.

SOURCE: American Diabetes Association