Diabetes Home Testing: All you need to know!

Today, while we speak proudly of our rising GDP, no one talks about how India has become the diabetes capital of the world and continues to hold its position for several years in a row.

Lack of awareness, unhealthy lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and sedentary work routines are primary causes that contribute to the rise in the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

What if we told you that a simple diabetes home test could give a sneak peek into your blood sugar levels, enabling you to control it better?

Well, we are talking about home blood glucose monitor tests that allow people with diabetes and prediabetes to keep a watch on their blood  sugar levels.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose, or SMBG, offers significant benefits to people with diabetes, such as improving adherence to treatment and preventing complications associated with this chronic condition.

Who should take the diabetes home test?

People with pre-diabetes, diabetes type 1, type 2 should consider taking diabetes home test on a regular basis to monitor their blood suagr levels. But it is recommended to get in touch with your healthcare provider or diabetologist and consider lab test if required for accurate and better results.

Why Do People with Diabetes Require Home Blood Glucose Monitoring Tests?

Blood sugar levels move up and down at different times during the day, for example, after a meal. Tracking blood glucose levels allows people with diabetes to understand their diabetes control better- if their sugar is high (hyperglycemia) and symptoms of low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia).

Since very high or very low blood glucose levels can be dangerous, sugar test at home help people with diabetes seek timely care. 

How is a Diabetes Home Test Performed?

Once an individual is diagnosed with diabetes, they can monitor their blood glucose levels at home using a glucometer or a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device. Here’s how to check diabetes at home!

1. Glucometer

A glucometer is a small portable device that allows you to check your blood glucose levels anywhere, anytime. This device uses a finger-prick method to collect a blood drop. This blood sample is picked up by a test strip in the device.

The enzyme present in this test strip reacts with the blood drop. When this strip is inserted into the device, a chemical reaction with the glucose in the blood generates an electrical signal, giving you a blood sugar reading on the glucometer. People with diabetes are advised to have a glucometer at their home.

2. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Device

Though glucometers are more commonly used for diabetes home tests, CGM devices may be preferred for more efficient monitoring and creating treatment plans. This device measures glucose levels 24 hours a day, and it comprises a sensor that is placed under the skin.

Here’s how a CGM device works:

• A small coin-sized sensor is placed on the skin, usually in an arm or the belly. The applicator used for placing the sensor makes this step a quick and easy one. An adhesive tape holds the sensor in place.
• The CGM sensor measures blood glucose levels in the fluid under your skin and takes approximately 100 readings per day for 14 days.
• The readings picked up by the sensor are wirelessly transmitted to a device where you or your doctor can view them. This data can be monitored in real-time, downloaded to a computer at any time and can be shared with your doctor or your caretaker.

CGM device continuously measures and monitors glucose levels in the blood for a specific time duration. 

At Fitterfly, our diabetologists and other experts use this CGM device to understand how your blood sugar levels vary at different times of the day. This helps them create a customised Diabetes Care Program for you!

You must remember that there will always be some difference between a laboratory test result and a glucometer reading due to the difference in the blood sample collected and laboratory tests being performed in more controlled conditions.

Capillary blood glucose level (collected in a glucometer and CGM device) is often higher than a venous blood glucose level (measured in a lab test). 

When to do a Home Blood Test?

A home blood glucose test might be recommended at different times of the day for different people. These include:

• The first thing in the morning after you wake up (fasting glucose reading)
• Prior to eating a meal
• Two hours after a meal
• Overnight, around 2 am or 3 am
• Random reading

The normal range for blood sugar levels are:

What is the difference between diabetes home test and medical test?

Both home and medical tests can measure your blood sugar levels, but they have some key differences:

• Home test: Primarily used for monitoring blood sugar levels in people with diagnosed diabetes. E.g., measuring blood sugar using finger rick.
• Medical test: Used for diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes. It can also be used to monitor blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. E.g., HbA1c test, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG).

What are the Advantages of Diabetes Home Tests and Monitoring?

There are several advantages of home blood glucose monitoring for people with diabetes:

1. Better control

Home blood glucose tests using technology like the CGM device allow you to have better control of your life and diabetes. By understanding how your blood sugar levels fluctuate, you can take more informed decisions and avoid foods or activities that may increase your reading.

2. Preventing complications

A repeated collection of venous blood from a vein in your arm may lead to complications like redness, itching or formation of a blood clot under the skin.

3. CGM devices show you a bigger picture

These sugar tests at home show how your body reacts to different foods or activities and how your blood sugar levels change over time. This information is valuable as it helps you and your doctor determine the best way to keep your blood sugar levels under control.

4. Portability

You can carry the glucometer wherever you go. It spares you the hassle of booking lab tests as you can perform these handy tests at your home.

5. Helps in better management of your medications

Home diabetes tests enable your doctor to adjust your medications and their dosage to suit your blood sugar levels.

Which is the best home diabetes test kit?

To monitor your blood sugar levels at home, you should have a glucometer handy with you. There are various glucometers available which are based on their functionality like bluetooth connectivity, here are some of them:

1. Accu-Chek Instant Glucometer

2. OneTouch Verio Flex

3. Dr Morepen GlucoOne Blood Glucose Monitor Model BG 03

4. Dr Trust Blood Sugar Testing Machine

Tips to get accurate results

To get the accurate results, follow the below steps, that can ensure accurate and reliable results in your testing routine:

1. Prepare

Wash hands, check test strips and expiry, choose right finger site.

2. Test

 Use new lancet, apply good pressure, fill test strip completely, wait for result.

3. Record

Log readings, note factors like food or exercise.

4. Calibrate

Follow meter’s instructions for regular calibration.

FitterTake!

If you are concerned about diabetes, test your blood sugar at home! While diabetes home testing is recommended for most patients with diabetes and prediabetes, it is important also to follow your doctor’s instructions and advice about managing it.

If you have any queries regarding how to check diabetes at home, speak to our experts today! Wish to bring your blood sugar levels under control? Sign up for our Diabetes Care Program here! 

Just giving us a missed call at 08069450746, and we will definitely get back to you.