Home blood sugar test

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Home blood sugar test

A person with diabetes uses a home blood sugar (glucose) test to measure the level of glucose in his or her blood. The test can be done on a daily basis at home or anywhere, using a small portable machine (blood glucose meter).

A home blood sugar test involves pricking a finger with a small needle (lancet) to collect a drop of blood, placing the blood on a special test strip, and then putting the test strip into the blood glucose meter. The blood glucose meter gives the results of a blood sugar test from within seconds to 2 minutes after testing. The results are fairly accurate for the level of glucose in the blood at the time that the test is done.

Some newer devices allow collection of blood samples from other parts of the body, such as the forearm. In addition, some meters allow the person to put the test strip in the machine before placing the drop of blood on it.

Testing blood sugar at home is often called home blood sugar monitoring or self-testing.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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