Monitoring
Monitoring involves keeping track of your blood glucose levels, your A1C, your blood fats, and perhaps your ketone levels. There are various laboratory tests as well as home glucose monitoring systems to help you know you are staying in good control. For more information on Monitoring, please review the related questions below.
Questions
Q: "Could you explain the A1C test? I was told it tells my overall level of control; if that is true, then why do I have to test my blood glucose every day?"
No Coding
Q: "I have read about your new meters that don't require coding. How can that be? I thought with your FreeStyle Flash® meter, for example, that you needed to always match the code in the meter with the code on the vial of strips or it wouldn't be accurate."
Skin Preparation
Q: "My father is diabetic. Can you please explain why he needs to thoroughly wash his hands before doing his blood glucose test? Do you have any examples of the way in which different substances on the fingers can influence the blood glucose readings? Should he use an alcohol swab to clean his testing site?"
Goals for Children
Q: "Are there different glucose goals for children?"
Comparing Meter to Lab
Q: "I was told that you shouldn’t compare your meter to another meter, and that the best way to check your meter is with the lab. Please explain why and how to do that."
Continuous Glucose Monitoring - Is it for me?
Q: "My friend said there are devices that measure your glucose all the time and that Abbott Diabetes Care has a continuous monitor. I test 4-8 times a day and use an insulin pump. Is this something that could work for me?"
Glucose Goals
Q: "What is a good blood glucose reading?"
What Are Ketones?
Q: "What are ketones?"
Postprandial (Post-Meal) Glucose
Q: "I have type 2 diabetes. In class much emphasis was put on the blood sugar 2 hours after eating. Why is this so crucial?"
Why test if not on diabetes medication?
Q: "I have Type 2 diabetes and am getting high numbers when I test. A person with type 1 diabetes can take insulin if their glucose readings are high. What can I do to lower my number? Almost seems senseless to test if I cannot take action to remedy the results."
Data Management Benefits
Q: “I see my doctor every 3 months but he only looks at my last 1-2 weeks of readings. Those results do not always represent what my 3 months have been like. I understand my doctor is busy but I wish he would look at more of my readings--otherwise, why should I bother testing all the time? I am not on any medication but my glucose numbers are not yet where my doctor wants them. He might put me on pills".
Rotating Lancing Sites and Bruising
Q: "A friend of mine told me that I need to rotate my blood glucose testing sites. Was I wrong in thinking that only insulin injection sites had to be rotated? I do not use insulin. I commonly use the FreeStyle Flash® meter on my thigh to test because I get some bruising, but I don't want to go back to finger sticks."
When To Test
Q: "I am a new Type 2 diabetic. When are the best times to test my blood glucose with the FreeStyle System? My 14 day average is 140. I am only controlling my blood sugar with diet and exercise. Is it ok to test once a day?"
Tips for Getting a Blood Sample
Q: "I'm having difficulty obtaining a blood sample using my FreeStyle® meter on my forearm. Can you give me some tips?"
Whole Blood vs. Plasma
Q: "What is the difference between whole blood and plasma? Which does the FreeStyle® meter read?"
Converting mg/dL to mmol/L
Q: "You refer to glucose measurements in mg/dL, but my country uses mmol/L. How can I get the equivalent mmol/L?"
When To Call The Doctor
Q: "I always read about target goals, but they don’t say when to call the doctor. What is really too low or too high? Although I am often under 130 before meals, sometimes I’m not; yet I can’t imagine that I would call every time I’m above 130."
Peritoneal Dialysis and interference from Extraneal
Q: "My daughter’s doctor wants to put her on a peritoneal dialysis solution called Extraneal®. When I called customer service, I was told that there would be interference which would cause the FreeStyle® meter to read falsely high. Would you please elaborate?"
Lancet and Needle Disposal
Q: "What is the proper way to dispose of lancets and syringes?"
Choosing a Meter
Q: "What factors do you consider to be most important in choosing a meter? What factors are most important to diabetes patients? Is it pain-free, convenience, superior technology, ease of use? My uncle is newly diagnosed and I want to help him choose a meter."
Meter Interferences
Q: "I saw on a TV commercial that a particular glucose monitoring device was not affected by Tylenol®. I had never heard that Tylenol can affect glucose results. Also, is the FreeStyle® system affected by Tylenol?"
Aspirin and Glucose Monitoring
Q: "I am wondering if I can monitor blood glucose while on aspirin preventative therapy. Is there a risk of bleeding?"
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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