HOW A GLUCOSE METER WORKS
This website does not offer medical advice in any way, shape or form. The following is general generic information about blood glucose meters and does not replace your personal physician and other licensed professionals of your health care team. Take no action based on any general generic information you may read here (or anywhere on this website or via any links that this website may link to) unless you specifically consult with your personal physician or licensed healthcare provider first.
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are two potentially life-threatening events that occur frequently in patients that have diabetes. Often, doctors will recommend that patients with diabetes monitor their blood sugar at home. The American Diabetes Association publishes their recommendations regarding diabetes management annually in Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes.
There are many different brands of blood glucose meters. Each brand of blood glucose meter uses its own unique blood glucose strips that often come in containers of 50 or 100. Supplies for one brand of meter are typically not interchangeable with supplies for other brands of meters.
Blood glucose test strips contain a capillary that sucks the blood sample up into the test strip. It reaches an enzyme electrode where the blood sample is mixed with an enzyme/chemical and an electrical current is created by the glucose meter. The charge passing through the electrode is proportional to the amount of glucose in the blood sample. For example, if your test result reads 90mg/dl, there are approximately 90 milligrams of glucose in a deciliter of your blood. Blood glucose meters and other supplies may be purchased from your local community pharmacy or from other vendors including Amazon and ebay. Always consult with your personal physician or licensed health care provider before making any changes related to your diabetes or any other medical condition.