What Is Glucometer?
A Glucose Meter, also referred to as a “glucometer”, is a medical device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood. It can also be a strip of glucose paper dipped into a substance and measured to the glucose chart.
Many people with diabetes today are encouraged by their diabetes care providers to check their glucose levels with a blood glucose meter. How frequently you check will likely be based on the type of diabetes you have and the medications you take to manage it and whether any of your medications can cause low blood glucose.
What Is Glucometer Used For?
If you have diabetes, you’ll likely need a blood glucose meter to measure and display the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood. Exercise, food, medications, stress and other factors affect your blood glucose level.
What Is The Principle Of Glucometer?
Principle of Glucose Detection
The enzyme portion of the glucose meter is generally packaged in a dehydrated state in a disposable strip or reaction cuvette. Glucose in the patient’s blood sample rehydrates and reacts with the enzymes to produce a product that can be detected.
Who Should Use a Glucometer?
You may need to use a glucometer regularly if you have:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, or LADA (type 1 that develops in adulthood)
- Gestational diabetes (similar to type 2 diabetes but occurs only during pregnancy)
Type 1 Diabetes
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It helps your cells use the glucose in your blood. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin or makes very little.2
That makes frequent testing important. It helps ensure you have enough insulin to keep your blood sugar levels stable. If you have type 1 diabetes, you may need to test your glucose levels four to 10 times per day.
You may test:
- Before eating (meals and snacks)
- Before and after exercise
- Before bed
- Possibly during the night
If your routine changes or you get sick, you may need to test even more often.
Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes
In type 2 and gestational diabetes (GD), your body still produces insulin, but it doesn’t use it efficiently. This is called insulin resistance and it makes blood sugar levels rise.3
If you have one of these conditions, you may only need to test two to four times per day. You may test much more often, though, especially when your diagnosis is new and your levels aren’t yet stable.
You may check:
- First thing in the morning and before bed
- Before each meal and before bed
- Before and two hours after each meal and before bed
In part, this depends on whether you take insulin or use other medications. If you manage your diabetes with non-insulin medication and know your typical patterns, you may not even need to test daily.
What Is A Normal Glucometer Reading?
A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours means you have diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) means you have prediabetes.
Using a Glucometer: Step-by-Step
Glucometers only need a drop of blood. The meters are small enough to travel with or fit in a purse. You can use one anywhere.
Each device comes with an instruction manual. And typically, a healthcare provider will go over your new glucometer with you too. This may be an endocrinologist or a certified diabetic educator (CDE), a professional who can also help develop an individualized care plan, create meal plans, answer questions about managing your disease, and more.
These are general instructions and may not be accurate for all glucometer models. For example, while the fingers are the most common sites to use, some glucometers allow you to use your thigh, forearm, or the fleshy part of your hand. Check your manual before using the device.
Before You Start
Prepare what you need and wash up before drawing blood:
- Set out your supplies
- Wash your hands or clean them with an alcohol pad. This helps prevent infection and removes food residue that might alter your results.
- Allow the skin to dry completely. Moisture can dilute a blood sample taken from the finger. Don’t blow on your skin to dry it, as that can introduce germs.
Getting and Testing a Sample
This process is quick, but doing it right will help you avoid having to re-stick yourself.
- Turn on the glucometer. This is usually done by inserting a test strip. The glucometer screen will tell you when it’s time to put blood on the strip.
- Use the lancing device to pierce the side of your finger, next to the fingernail (or another recommended location). This hurts less than lancing the pads of your fingers.
- Squeeze your finger until it has produced a sufficient-size drop.
- Place the drop of blood on the strip.
- Blot your finger with the alcohol prep pad to stop the bleeding.
- Wait a few moments for the glucometer to generate a reading.
If you often have trouble getting a good blood sample, warm your hands with running water or by rubbing them briskly together. Be sure they are dry again before you stick yourself.
Recording Your Results
Keeping a log of your results makes it easier for you and your healthcare provider to build a treatment plan.
You can do this on paper, but smartphone apps that sync with glucometers make this very easy. Some devices even record readings on the monitors themselves.
Follow your doctor’s orders for what to do based on the blood sugar reading. That may include using insulin to bring your level down or eating carbohydrates to bring it up.
Glucometer Prices In Ghana:
Omni Safe AQ Smart Blood Glucose Meter +Painless Test – Green (Omnicare)
GH₵ 150.00
Blood Glucose Monitor Glucometer Blood Sugar Diabetes Test Kit + 50 Test Strips Lancets Needles
GH₵ 228.00
1Set Home Portable Blood Glucose Diabetes Glucometer Kit Test Strs Needles Lancets Blood Sugar Level Adult Health Detector
GH₵ 615.00
Blood Glucose Meter Glucometer Blood Sugar Level Meter Diabetes Tester Or Test Str Lancet Health Care Tool
GH₵ 487.00
1Set Blood Glucose Meter Diabetes Monitor 50 Test Strs Lancets LCD Smart Blood Sugar Level Glucometer Kit Health Care
GH₵ 597.00
One Touch Select Simple Test Strs 100pcs Blood Glucose Glucometer Tester
GH₵ 1,026.00