Calculating Results
A home blood glucose test measures the amount of a type of sugar,
called glucose, in your blood at the time of testing. The test can be done at
home or anywhere, using a small portable machine called a blood glucose
meter.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends staying within
the following blood sugar level ranges. However, depending on your health, you
and your health professional may set a different range for you.
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For nonpregnant people with diabetes:
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- 90 mg/dL (5 mmol/L) to 130 mg/dL (7.2
mmol/L) before meals
- Less than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) 2 hours
after a meal
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For women who have diabetes related to pregnancy (gestational diabetes):
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- 105 mg/dL (5.8 mmol/L) or less before
breakfast
- 155 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L) or less 1 hour after a meal
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Many conditions can change blood glucose levels. Your health
professional will discuss any significant abnormal results with you in relation
to your symptoms and medical history.
What Affects the Test
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may
not be helpful include:
- Alcohol in the drop of blood. If you clean your
skin with rubbing alcohol, let the area dry completely before sticking it with
the lancet.
- Water or soap on your finger.
- Squeezing
your fingertip.
- A drop of blood that is either too large or too
small.
- Very low (below 40 mg/dL or 2.2 mmol/L) or very high (above 400
mg/dL or 22.2 mmol/L) blood sugar levels.
- Humidity or a wet test
strip. Do not store your test strips in the bathroom. When you remove a strip
from the bottle, promptly secure the lid back on the bottle to prevent humidity
from damaging the unused strips.
Proper care of the blood sugar testing equipment is important to
ensure safety and to get accurate results.
- Follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
- Do not drop or deliberately bump your
meter.
- Do not store your meter in a very hot or very cold place.
- Clean your meter regularly, and change the batteries as
instructed.
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Diabetes - General Information
Goals of Diabetes Treatment
Measuring Blood Glucose Levels
Managing Diabetes
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