Our bodies make glucose as part of digesting certain foods, such as carbohydrates and refined sugars. There are many foods that produce glucose in us. Glucose is the energy supply that enables us to function and to be active. Insulin from our bodies lowers glucose when we have too much in our blood stream. Diabetics can be insulin resistant, causing their bodies to have high glucose levels. Others can have problems making enough insulin to handle glucose. It is important to detect glucose levels early to diagnose and to control existing diabetes. Many diabetics use a glucose meter to detect glucose at home.
How to Detect Glucose
Set out supplies (except soap and water). Wash and dry hands with soap and warm water.
Open the test strip bottle. Turn on the glucose meter. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for inserting the test strip meter chip or for entering the test strip code in the glucose meter. Glucose meters vary on how this process is done. Turn on the glucose meter.
Open the lancet pen cap. Remove lancet protective cap. Load lancet into the lancet pen. Replace the lancet pen cap. Set lancet pen dial to the appropriate number for penetration depth.
Wipe finger tip with alcohol pad.
Place test strip into glucose meter, according to manufacturer’s instructions. Hold hand below heart level. Squeeze the finger tip to turn it red. Lance the finger tip. Apply small drop of blood to the test strip.
Wipe finger tip with alcohol pad. Unload lancet pen (reverse of step 3) and properly dispose of lancet.
Read glucose meter. Write down the glucose number in your log book. Remove test strip. Turn off glucose meter. Properly dispose of the remaining items. Return glucose meter and testing supplies to glucose carrying case. Store in a dry, temperature-controlled location.