How to Use a Blood Glucose Monitor: Made Simple

Checking your blood glucose at home is a simple process once you know the steps, and it becomes routine with practice.

Gather your supplies. You will need a glucose meter, a lancing device, a sterile lancet, a test strip, alcohol wipes, and a place to record your results.

Wash your hands. Use warm water and soap, then dry completely. Residue like food or lotion on your fingers can skew your reading, so this step matters more than people expect.

Prepare the meter. Turn it on and insert a test strip. Many meters will automatically switch into testing mode once a strip is inserted.

Prick your finger. Load a fresh lancet into the lancing device. Choose the side of a fingertip rather than the pad, since that area has fewer nerve endings and tends to hurt less. Press the device against your skin and press the trigger.

Apply the blood sample. Gently squeeze your finger if needed to form a small drop of blood. Touch the edge of the test strip to the drop and let it absorb naturally. Avoid smearing the blood on the strip, as this can cause an inaccurate reading.

Read and record the result. The meter will display your glucose level within seconds. Write it down or log it in an app, along with the time and any relevant notes about food or activity.

Dispose of supplies safely. Place the used lancet in a sharps container, and discard the test strip.

A few tips worth remembering: rotate which finger you use to avoid soreness, store your test strips in a cool dry place, and check the expiration date, since expired strips can give unreliable readings. If your numbers seem unusually high or low, and don't match how you feel, consider testing again before making any decisions based on the result.

Talk with your doctor about your target glucose range and how often you should test, since this varies depending on your individual health needs.