Top blood glucose testing tips

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your blood glucose meter
• Check the expiry date on all diabetes testing supplies
• Wash your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water and dry carefully before glucose testing. This will help get rid of any contaminants (e.g. sugar on your fingers from the food you have been eating), and will also ensure a good blood flow
• Use the sides of your fingers, as these are less sensitive than the fingertips. Avoid the thumb and index finger and vary the sites to avoid the risk of infection or callous build up
• If you struggle to obtain enough blood, hold your hand down to let gravity help the blood flow to the fingers
• Change the lancet in the finger-pricking device every time you perform a blood glucose test. This will reduce discomfort, the risk of infection and ensure that enough blood is obtained
• Record the results in your glucose testing record diary or download to GLUCOFACTS^®Deluxe
• Make a note of anything unusual alongside the results and whether they were taken before or after meals. Later on, it is not always easy to remember what else might have been happening at the time of the blood glucose test
• Take your glucose testing record diary, or print out from your GLUCOFACTS^®Deluxe diabetes management software (a tracking tool that helps you monitor your blood glucose levels), to all appointments with your diabetes care team
• Try a meter with built-in memory