Is it accurate to measure blood glucose by yourself? What should I pay attention to when using a blood glucose meter?

Nowadays, many families have a blood glucose meter. For diabetic patients, a blood glucose meter is a must-have instrument in daily life. So, is it accurate to measure blood glucose with a blood glucose meter? How to store a blood glucose meter? What should you pay attention to when using a blood glucose meter? Let's learn more about it with Encyclopedia Knowledge Network!

Contents of this article

1. Is it accurate to measure blood glucose with a blood glucose meter?
2. How to store the blood glucose meter
3. What should you pay attention to when using a blood glucose meter?
4. How to use a blood glucose meter correctly

Is it accurate to measure blood glucose with a blood glucose meter?

Doubts about the accuracy of a blood glucose meter often arise after comparing the measurement results: first, by comparing with the measurement results of the hospital laboratory, and second, by comparing with other brands of blood glucose meters.

Why are the results of some patients' blood glucose meter tests different from those of the hospital laboratory? That's because blood sugar is constantly changing. It will rise after eating and then gradually drop. Therefore, fasting blood sugar and post-meal blood sugar should be different, and 1 hour and 2 hours after a meal will also be different. Normal people and diabetic patients will be even more different. In addition, some emotional changes, such as tension, anger, fright, and pain during blood drawing, may cause blood sugar fluctuations. Therefore, if you want to compare, you should complete the blood sugar test with a blood glucose meter within 15 minutes before or after blood drawing, and do not eat, exercise vigorously, or have major emotional fluctuations during this period.

In addition, it is not recommended for diabetics to use multiple blood glucose meters for comparison at the same time. According to national standards, when the blood glucose value is ≥4.2mmol/L, the blood glucose meter is qualified if the error range is between plus or minus 20%. If two blood glucose meters fall exactly at the plus or minus 20% end, the difference is very large. Therefore, when diabetics have doubts about their blood glucose meters, it is recommended to compare the test results with those of the hospital's laboratory.

How to store a blood glucose meter

Normally, the instrument should be stored at a temperature between -40°C and +70°C to avoid damage. The relative humidity should be below 85%. Avoid storing the instrument near electromagnetic fields (such as mobile phones, microwave ovens, etc.).

What should I pay attention to when using a blood glucose meter?

1. Regular debugging

If the blood glucose meter is used too many times, the test results will be affected due to some reasons of the machine itself. Therefore, the blood glucose meter needs to be debugged regularly. You can go to the hospital for the doctor to debug it, or you can send it back to the manufacturer for debugging.

2. Study the instructions thoroughly

Different blood glucose meters have the same testing principles, but may use different methods and steps. After buying a blood glucose meter, the first thing to do is to study the instructions thoroughly, especially the steps of use, so that there will be no mistakes when using it, and it will not affect the accuracy of the test results.

3. Correct blood sampling

To ensure the accuracy of the test results, you must draw blood correctly. First, wash your fingers, preferably with soapy water, to make them clean. Then disinfect with alcohol. Note that alcohol is used instead of iodine. After disinfection, wipe off the excess alcohol and keep your fingers dry. Then shake your hands a few times to promote blood circulation. When drawing blood, draw blood on one side of the fingertip, so that the pain will be less.

4. The needle should be changed every time

When using a blood glucose meter, the needle used by diabetic patients should be changed every time, that is, the needle should be changed every time blood is drawn. This is to ensure the accuracy of the test results and to reduce the pain during blood drawing. The replaced needles should be properly stored and not thrown away randomly. They should be disposed of in a special recycling place.

5. Reasonable preservation

Whether it is a blood glucose meter or a blood glucose test strip, it must be well stored. It must be stored at room temperature, and the blood glucose meter should not be placed together with some household appliances that generate electromagnetic fields. The same is true for test strips. Do not store the test strips in the refrigerator, but store them in a cool and dry place in the room. If the blood glucose meter has not been used for a long time, it must be carefully cleaned when it is used again, otherwise it will be contaminated by dirt during the test process, thus affecting the test results.

How to use a blood glucose meter correctly

1. Wash your hands with warm water or neutral soap, and rub the fingers you are going to draw blood from repeatedly until the blood flow is rich. Disinfect the fingertips with 75% alcohol and wait for them to dry.

2. Turn on the blood glucose meter. If you use a blood-sucking blood glucose meter, take a test strip and insert it into the meter. If you use a blood-dropping blood glucose meter, take a test strip and hold it in your hand (fingers should not touch the test area of ​​the test strip).

3. After taking out the test strip, cover the cover tightly, place the blood collection pen close to the finger pulp, press the spring switch, and puncture the finger pulp. It is best to draw blood from both sides of the ring finger pulp, because it is rich in blood vessels and has fewer nerve endings, which is not only painless but also sufficient bleeding.

4. If it is a blood-sucking blood glucose meter, suck the blood into the test strip's dedicated area and wait for the result; if it is a blood-dropping blood glucose meter, drop a full drop of blood or smear it on the test strip's test area, insert the test strip into the machine and wait for the result. Do not add additional drops of blood, otherwise the test result will be inaccurate.