Monitoring your blood sugar levels is a priority for all diabetics, whether you are Type 1 or Type 2. While Type 2 diabetics do not have the need for constant monitoring as Type 1 does, they can still suffer the same symptoms and complications. It is imperative that all diabetics monitor their blood sugar levels daily.? Type 2 diabetics need only to check their levels on a daily basis, however, Type 1 diabetics must check their levels several times a day, especially after meals.

When you are ready to monitor your blood, be certain to have all your supplies available and handy. You will need your monitor, test strips, alcohol swabs, lancets, and lance pen.? It is important to not put the test strip into the monitor yet, as there is a time limit. Inserting a strip into the monitor starts the “timed test cycle”. The test strip cannot be reused after it has been removed from the monitor, whether it has had blood sample on it or not.

Now you are ready to begin your Blood Sugar Level Testing. Take the new, clean lancet and insert it into the lance pen. Twist off the little nub of protective plastic, which exposes the lance needle, setting it aside to use again later. Do not touch anything with this needle, as it will become contaminated, making it unusable. Turn the dial on the lance pen to your preferred setting, which is usually the highest penetration. Lay the pen on a clean surface, making certain the lance end is not touching anything. Using a small item, like a pen to prop the end up is helpful.

Now you are ready to prepare your skin for the lancing? process. Most people prefer to lance their fingers and it is true that this produces the most blood for the sample quantity you need. However, I prefer the secondary site, which is the inner arm.? Taking a sample from this area is virtually pain free, as there are less nerve endings. However, the blood does not flow as freely, so there is a need to massage the area before taking your sample. This makes the blood flow better, as it brings it to the surface. Massage the inner arm until the skin feels warm and has turned red. This indicates that the blood is now close to the surface. Open an alcohol swab packet and gently cleanse a generous area you are going to prick.

Now pick up the lance pen and set the piercing mechanism. This works much in the same way as a ball point pen. Place the tip of the lance pen onto the arm, and release the mechanism while keeping contact with the skin.? The lance pen will shoot a lancet forward and into the skin. Place the lance pen on your “safe, clean prop” and proceed to squeeze the skin to create a good flow of blood to get a good quantity sample.? If the blood does not flow well, then reset the pen mechanism and repeat the process very near the same area, since you have already swabbed a goodly sized area. There are times when this needs to be repeated several times, which is why I prefer the arm area. Again, since there is minimal pain, so it doesn’t matter. If you choose to use your finger, be prepared to have a very sore, unusable finger or two, and also be prepared with a new swab to clean a new finger if needed.?

Once the droplet is large enough, pick up a test strip and insert it into the test monitor. The monitor will then test the strip, calibrating it to show that it is ready to apply the blood droplets onto the test strip. Using the forearm method for taking the blood can prove to be difficult, since when it is applied to the forearm, skin may cover the strip, making it difficult to see.? Be careful to get the droplet of blood and the test strip aligned before you lay down the strip to imprint the blood on it. If you should make a mistake, you may not be aware of it until the strip has been inserted into the monitor.

Once the blood is imprinted and soaked into the test strip, the monitor will read your blood sugar levels. If the blood droplet was not large enough to take a good reading, the monitor will show an error and then you must start the whole process over again. This is because the collection area will most likely have coagulated and will be impossible to extract more blood from that site. The monitor will now read and store the information collected from the blood. It will reveal your blood sugar level numbers.

Once the numbers have been calibrated, remove the test strip from the monitor and disposed of it. Next, carefully remove the lance from the lance pen, taking care not to prick yourself again. Cover the tip with the plastic protective nib which you saved at the start of this process. This protects others from coming in contact with the sharp end of the lance. Dispose of the lance in your safe disposal container.

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