Monitoring your diabetes
It is important to keep a regular check on your diabetes and there are different ways you can track how your diabetes is doing:
- HbA1c blood test
- Blood glucose testing
- Continuous glucose monitoring
Testing your blood glucose levels and doing a HbA1c blood test can help you and your diabetes team to see how well your medications are working and if any changes to your treatment plan are needed.
What is a HbA1c blood test?
HbA1c is an average of what your blood glucose levels have been like over the last 2 to 3 months leading up to the blood test being done.
When glucose is in the bloodstream, it attaches itself to the red blood cells. The more glucose there is in the blood, the more glucose can attach to the red blood cells.
A blood test taken from your arm measures an average of how much glucose has attached to the red blood cells. A red blood cell can live for 2 to 3 months, which is why the HbA1c is an average of the last 2 to 3 months of glucose that has attached to the red blood cells.
A HbA1c target will be agreed with you and your healthcare team in your diabetes check-ups. Aiming to keep your HbA1c in target is important to lower the risk of you getting diabetes complications long-term.
Finger-Prick blood glucose monitoring
Not everyone with type 2 diabetes needs to test their blood glucose levels.
It is important to test blood glucose levels if you are on a sulphonylurea (such as Gliclazide or Glimepiride) or insulin. This is because you are more at risk of having a low blood glucose level (less than 4mmol/l) which is a “hypo”.
You will be provided with a blood glucose meter by your healthcare provider if it has been recommended that you start to test your blood glucose levels.
Getting accurate and useful home blood glucose measurements
Here are 10 useful tips to help you get the most out of your blood glucose testing:
- Make sure that you understand the importance of blood glucose testing and why you have been asked to test your blood glucose.
- Ensure your testing strips are in date and stored in the original container or packaging, as recommended by the manufacturer. Once you have opened the packaging, the strips will have a limited shelf life. Please ensure you check the manufacturers guidance.
- To keep the test strips in good condition, replace the lid on the test strip container as soon as you have removed the strip.
- Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before testing. Do not use wet wipes or alcohol swabs as these could affect the blood glucose result.
- Make sure that you use the finger pricking device that comes with your meter or an alternative provided by your healthcare team if needed. You will need a new lancet for each test. You can change the depth the needle (lancet) goes into your finger which can help reduce discomfort, but make sure there is enough blood for the testing strip.
- When testing:
- make sure that your hands are warm as this will help the blood flow and make testing less painful. Holding your hand towards the ground can also help blood flow
- use a different finger and a different area each time to minimise pain and help skin healing
- prick to the sides of the fingertip to get the blood sample as this tends to be less painful than the fingertip pads
- gently squeeze the finger to get enough blood for the test and ask for help from your health care professional if you struggle to get enough blood
- Do not leave the meter or strips in extremely hot or cold environments as this may cause an inaccurate reading.
- Always re-test if the blood glucose result if it does not match your symptoms.
- It is important that you test your blood glucose at different times of the day to understand how your diabetes treatment is working and to adjust your treatment safely. You will have been advised to test your blood glucose either once daily, twice daily, 2 to 3 times daily, 4 times daily or more. Please record your measurements in your blood glucose monitoring diary and bring your results and meter to all your appointments. Most meters offer computer software that can help you record your results and look for patterns in your blood glucose levels.
- Remember to dispose of sharps safely in a suitable sharps container.
Remember: Always read the instructions provided with your meter, keep your user guide in case you need it in future and complete and send the warranty card provided. A helpline is also provided by the meter manufacturer for any other meter-related queries. Ask your diabetes health care professional for advice if you are having any difficulties testing your blood glucose levels
