For diabetics and hypoglycemics, careful and accurate monitoring of blood sugar levels is a must. Blood sugar levels that are too high over time can lead to serious risks, including heart, nerve, and blood vessel complications, as well as damage to eyesight. For diabetics and those taking insulin, blood sugar must be tested daily, and sometimes more than once a day. Luckily, accurate results can be obtained at home through the use of diabetes testing supplies that can be purchased easily and inexpensively.

A home glucose monitor is an invaluable tool. Glucose monitors operate quite simply. A drop of blood is placed on a test strip, and read by a meter, and the results are displayed on the screen of the glucose monitor. It is not a very complicated process, and will quickly become routine to anyone who must undergo regular diabetes testing, but there are some important things to know about home glucose monitoring and diabetes testing supplies.

There are several different types of glucose monitors, and you should choose carefully to find one that best fits your needs. An average-sized glucose monitor will be about the size of your palm, although they are also available in smaller and larger models. The amount of time it takes to display a reading can also vary, from between 3 and 60 seconds, but most modern visions can display an accurate reading in under 15 seconds. A home glucose monitor can be found at a pharmacy, or grocery or discount store, or can be purchased online.

You’ll need a few things beside the monitor itself. Other diabetes testing supplies that you will need include testing strips, a short needle called a lancet as well as a holder for the lancet, sugar control solution, and clean cotton balls for pressure to stop bleeding at the test site. Make sure you check expiration dates on all equipment.

Wash your hands (or other test site; some glucose monitors allow you to test on another part of the body such as the palm of forearm) thoroughly, but make sure they are completely dry before you administer the test. Place a clean lancet in the lancet holder. The holder will help you position the needle and control its depth under your skin. Your glucose monitor will contain detailed instructions on how to operate. Follow these closely as you prepare your monitor. Stick the side, not the more sensitive tip, of your finger with the needle, and place the resulting drop of blood on the test strip. Use a cotton ball to apply pressure to the bleeding at the test site. Continue following the directions on your glucose monitor to obtain an accurate result.

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