How can I determine if I am a diabetic by using the glucose monitor?
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at
5:19 pm
I have family history of diabetes, and I want buy a monitor and check blood sugars. What are the determining factors when using the monitor? How do I do it?
Speak to my doctor? Yea right! I’m one of the many with no healthcare.
Filed under: Blood Glucose
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When you buy the glucose monitor, it will have a lot of instructions in it. What to look for: How much blood does the monitor require (less blood, less pain); how much are the strips that you will have to buy over and over–some of them are really expensive; and also look for monitors with rebates. Right now, Wallgreens (not sure if this will be true in your area) has the One Touch Ultra 2/Smart for FREE, with rebates.
But, regardless, you should let your Dr. check things out first. And many times your insurance or medicaid will cover the cost of the testing supplies. That is another good reason to make a doctor’s appointment before you go out and spend a lot of money on the testing supplies.
Sometimes pharmacies will have blood sugar screening days/hours. Sometimes they’re free, but sometimes they charge $1-$5 for the check.
That might help, but you could get a cheap ($20) meter and check yourself. If you find a pattern of highs (over 160), then you need to find a way to get treatment despite having no healthcare!!!
You might want to check out http://www.98mi.info/sitemap/ for diabetic supplies
Blaze 23 is correct. Using a alcohol prep is the STANDARD OF PT CARE when preping a site for a needle stick. If your nurses and medics you would know that. Wait for the alcohol to dry or use a clean cotton swab to wipe it off. Or don’t use one at all. I have been diabetic since I was 3 now I’m 29 yeah I know a little bit about it and I’m AM a medic.
Blood Sugar Management
http://www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowContent/blood_sugar_management/
Wal-Mart Testing Supplies
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=542089
You should see your Dr and ask to be tested, if you are set on testing yourself, you can buy a glucometer at any pharmacy. Normal readings ARE between 80-120… Checking before a meal then 2 hours after a meal (this is when your body’s insulin and blood glucose level would peak). Be careful using alcohol on the finger, you can just wash it with soap and water. Any finger is fine… I may not be a nurse, but I’m a medic with 12 years experience as a diabetic!
There are dozens of home glucometers on the market but save your money for now. You cannot self-diagnose this disease.
Speak to your doctor about diabetes screening. This is your very best source of information and the only one who can give you a diagnosis for this.
FYI: The instructions you were given above me are misleading. You cannot use just any finger, there is a correct way to prep for a fingerstick, if you use alcohol and the skin is still wet the results will be skewed, there is a correct time to do a fingerstick. Just see your doctor before you do anything.
Normal blood sugar is between 80-120 consistently higher readings than that can indicate a tendency toward diabetes. Use the lancet to prick the side of your finger after swabbing it with alcohol wipe and place a drop of blood on the glucose strip and place in the machine. Depending on the machine it can take as little as 5 seconds for a reading or up to 2min. good luck.
The levels mentioned before are generally right but the testing regime is as follows.
Immediately before breakfast, lunch and dinner and then 2 hours after. Then before bed. the readings taken after meals will be high (cant put levels as in the UK we use a different measuring system to the US). Your morning level is usually high if you are diabetic. The only way to find out for sure if you are diabetic is to have a glucose tolerance test;