Why test your blood sugar?

Blood sugar testing — or self-monitoring blood glucose — provides useful information for diabetes management. It can help you:

• Judge how well you’re reaching overall treatment goals

• Understand how diet and exercise affect blood sugar levels

• Understand how other factors, such as illness or stress, affect blood sugar levels

• Monitor the effect of diabetes medications on blood sugar levels

• Identify blood sugar levels that are high or low

How to test your blood sugar?

1. Wash and dry your hands well.

2. Insert a test strip into your meter.

3. Prick the side of your fingertip with the needle (lancet) provided with your test kit.

4. Gently squeeze or massage your finger until a drop of blood forms.

5. Touch and hold the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood.

6. The meter will display your blood glucose level on a screen after a few seconds.

Cost of the Glucose Test – £10