Diabetes: 7 Mistakes To Avoid While Testing Blood Sugar Levels At Home

Diabetes: Healthy blood sugar levels helps prevent complications of diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires constant management of blood sugar levels. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels start affecting different organs of the body negatively. It thus important that diabetics regularly monitor their blood sugar. It helps them understand whether the diet and lifestyle they are following is helpful in controlling blood sugar levels or not. It also helps you avoid major fluctuations. A glucometer is to monitor blood sugar levels at home. However, there are a few common mistakes that one can make while doing so. Dr. Girish Parmar, Senior Consultant, Endocrinology and Diabetes explains a few common mistakes you should be avoiding to achieve accurate results.

Mistakes to avoid while measuring blood sugar levels

1) Postprandial blood sugar

Postprandial blood glucose test measures blood glucose post-meal. While testing the two-hour postprandial sugar level, its ideal to start counting the time once you start eating your meal instead of upon completion of the meal.

For a more accurate reading of your blood sugars, it's ideal to take the test at different times throughout the day as a lot of environmental and physiological factors do change according to the time.

Also read: Diabetes Diet: Nutritionist Explains How To Choose Diabetes-Friendly Fruits; Here's A List Of Best Fruits

3) Prick finger

One of the most common mistakes is using the same finger for the blood sugar test every day, repeatedly. Doing so may cause pain or even a minor injury. Thus, it is best to keep rotating the finger from either hand for blood sugar level testing.

Also read: Diabetes Diet: 5 Low-Glycemic Vegetables Diabetics Must Add To Their Diet

4) One prick, one needle

It has been observed that many patients use the same needle for more than five to six pricks or  avoid changing it for longer durations. It can increase the chances of infection multi-fold. It is ideal to discard the needle after ever prick with proper safety measures.

5) Needle depth

The lancing devices, used for the test come with adjustable needle depths which can be changed as per the thickness of the skin on your fingers. Make sure the needle is set between 3-4 to ensure a proper prick.

Always sanitise the finger you are going to prick to ensure the area is clean and infection free. Most importantly don't hurry to prick once you have sanitised the finger with spirits. Wait for the spirit to evaporate from the skin surface before pricking.

Also read: Can A Plant Based Diet Help Control Blood Sugar Levels? Nutritionist Shares The Pros And Cons Of This Diet

7) Variations between sugar levels

There is an acceptable variation between the readings of a glucometer and laboratory test of blood sugar levels. Hence even if after following all possible norms if there is a difference in the readings don't panic.

(Dr. Girish Parmar, Senior Consultant, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.