How to Use a Home Diabetes Test

There are many types of newer home diabetes tests that are available rather than only the traditional test that people have used for years. Variations to the traditional test offers less pain and requires less amount of blood that is needed to be drawn. Newer home diabetes tests simply provide a mechanism that automatically pricks your finger tip, causing almost no entry wound.

One very new testing system that provides a major reduction in pain is the laser diabetes test. It works just like the traditional test, except a laser beam is pointed at the finger and easily pricks it. Other home testing kits are available that tests blood from an area like the thigh. However, testing in any other area beside your finger tip does not show more recent changes in your blood sugar levels.

Prior to conducting a test, you should wash your hands with antibacterial soap to ensure cleanliness. It is important to always avoid infections even during the simple testing process. In a typical testing kit, there will be various supplies including a thin testing strip.

After using the small mechanism to prick your skin, you simply place a drop of blood on the strip. Then, insert the strip into the diabetes testing meter. The appliance will then read your blood and be able to tell you what your blood sugar levels are at that time. Then, based on what your physician has instructed regarding what your safe blood level should be, you will be able to assess if it is too high, low, or normal.

It is actually very simple to test your blood level at home. Based upon the type of blood sugar meter you have purchased, it may be able to provide you with additional functions as well. These are not necessary, but you may find them helpful. One example is a home testing machine that now has the ability to save previous readings of your blood sugar that you have taken which helps you to compare any future changes.