Testing your blood glucose (blood sugar) is critical if you have diabetes to avoid complications and manage your diabetes. You can test your blood glucose at home or office using a portable electronic blood sugar meter device. You can also use another device called a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM).
Blood glucose testing can also test for hypoglycemia, which occurs when blood glucose levels are too low.
What Is Blood Glucose Testing?
Blood glucose testing is the measure of the quantity of glucose in your blood.
Glucose is a category of simple sugar. It is the primary source of energy in your body. Your body converts the carbohydrates you egest to glucose.
Glucose testing is primarily done for gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes.
Blood Sugar Monitoring
Regular monitoring of blood sugar observes patterns in the fluctuation of blood sugar levels, occurring in response to medications, diet, exercise, or pathological processes. These processes are associated with changes in blood glucose. It is vital in managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Unusually low or high blood sugar levels can potentially lead to life-threatening conditions. Blood sugar monitoring can be undertaken either at home or at a clinic. Monitoring undertaken at home is called capillary blood glucose (CBG) while monitoring carried out in a clinical facility includes CBG and venous blood tests.
Importance of Blood Sugar Monitoring
Regular monitoring is supreme as it lets you see what makes your blood sugar levels go up or down, such as taking your medicine, eating different foods, or being physically active. Having this information at your fingertips makes it easier for you and your healthcare team to decide your best diabetes care plan. The decisions can help prevent or delay diabetes compilations such as stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, amputation, and blindness.
Conclusion
At times, having high blood sugar feels like a failed test. It is essential to ask your doctor how often and when to check your blood sugar levels. You should keep track of your numbers, as it helps in living a healthier and happier life. Take that step and have your blood sugar tested.
