A glucometer is a small machine that can give big help. But I often see people getting wrong readings because of small mistakes. Here is how to do it right.
Step by step
- Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them well. Sweet or wet fingers can change the reading.
- Insert a new strip. Check the strip box is not expired and was closed properly.
- Prick the side of the fingertip, not the middle pad. Rotate fingers each time.
- Do not squeeze hard. Let a good drop form.
- Touch the drop to the strip and wait for the result.
- Write down the number with the date, time, and whether it was before or after food.
Common mistakes
- Using alcohol on the finger and not letting it dry.
- Using the first drop with sugary residue on the skin.
- Old or heat-damaged strips.
- Not matching the code, in machines that need it.
- Reusing a lancet again and again.
When should you test?
It depends on your treatment. Many people on tablets check fasting sugar and two hours after a main meal a few days a week. People on insulin may check more often. Your doctor will tell you your own plan. More testing is not always better.
Know the machine’s limits
Home meters can differ from the lab report by up to about 15 percent. So treat the home number as a guide, and take the lab test for diagnosis and HbA1c every three months.
Safe disposal
Put used lancets and strips in a hard plastic bottle, close it and dispose of it safely. Do not leave them loose where children can reach.
Bring it to the clinic
Take your meter and diary to every visit. Your doctor can check the machine and see patterns you may miss.
If you live in Gopanpally, Gowlidoddi, Nallagandla or Tellapur, or work in the Financial District or Nanakramguda, a simple blood sugar check is available at our clinic in Gopanpally, Gachibowli. You can read more about our diabetes care or contact us to book a visit.
Keep reading
Your family doctor,
Akhila Reddy
MBBS, DNB (Family Medicine) | TSMC Reg. No. APMC/FMR/74261
AMC Hospital, Gopanpally, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
This article is for general health education and does not replace a check-up. Every person is different, so please speak to your doctor before changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
References
- American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Technology: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025. Diabetes Care 2025;48(Suppl 1). https://diabetesjournals.org/care/issue/48/Supplement_1
- International Organization for Standardization. ISO 15197:2013 In vitro diagnostic test systems: requirements for blood-glucose monitoring systems.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes: testing your blood sugar. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/