Diabetes home tests can help you track blood sugar levels throughout the month and complement tests done at the doctor’s office. Knowing when and how to use them can help you manage diabetes and prevent complications.

Testing blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, is an essential part of your diabetes care plan.

While staying in touch with a healthcare professional is important for following your treatment plan, you may also need to test your blood sugar on your own as long as the healthcare team advises you to.

Self-monitoring your blood glucose may be vital to your treatment. Diabetes home tests allow you to manage your blood sugar regardless of the time of day or place.

A doctor may help you decide if you need to test your blood sugar at home.

If diabetes home tests are for you, the medical professional will let you know how often you should test and at what times of the day. They’ll also tell you what your blood sugar targets are.

A doctor may consider you should use diabetes home tests if you have:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), typical blood sugar while fasting ranges between 70 to 99 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and 140 mg/dL or below after eating.

Blood sugar levels below 70 mg/dL signal low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), while high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is when your levels are above 99 mg/dL if you’re fasting or 140 mg/dL after a meal.

By maintaining glucose at an average range, you may help prevent diabetes complications.

According to the CDC, these may include:

Blood glucose tests come in various forms. Most of them include:

  • a lancet (small needle) and a lancing or lancet device (to hold the needle)
  • test strips
  • a glucose meter
  • portable cases
  • cords to download data, if needed

Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) are an alternative way to keep track of blood glucose, and a medical professional may recommend those instead.

When you’re ready to use the diabetes home test, you may follow these general steps:

  1. Read the home test instructions carefully to make sure you know how to use each component.
  2. Wash your hands with water and soap for 30 seconds.
  3. Put a lancet into the lancet device so that it’s ready to go.
  4. Place a new test strip into the meter.
  5. Prick your finger with the lancet in the protective lancing device.
  6. Carefully place the subsequent drop of blood onto the test strip and wait for the results.

Results of diabetes home tests generally show up within seconds.

With some meters, you may need to be sure the code on the strip matches the code on the meter. You should also occasionally check the date on the strips to ensure they aren’t expired.

Most meters now allow you to use an alternative site for testing, such as your forearm. Talk with the doctor to decide what is best for you.

The fingers traditionally offer the most accurate results when it comes to diabetes home tests.

Some products may allow you to prick your thigh or arm, but it’s a good idea to check with a doctor before doing so. You may also want to ask them if and how often you should test yourself if you don’t take insulin.

You may want to consider testing before and after meals to see how your diet affects blood glucose levels. It’s especially important to test after eating simple carbohydrates or sugary foods to make sure your blood sugar isn’t too high.

It’s also important to use the diabetes home tests after changing your treatment plan or if you feel getting sick.

A blood glucose chart is essential for tracking your results. Whether you keep track of your readings on paper or electronically, having this information at hand can help you identify patterns and potential challenges.

It’s a good idea to save these tracking charts and take them to your next visit with the doctor. When writing down your results, also be sure to log:

  • the date and time of the test
  • any medications you’re taking, as well as the dosage
  • whether the test was done before or after a meal
  • foods you ate right before and carbohydrate contents
  • any workouts you did that day and when you did them

Self-monitoring your blood sugar is crucial for determining how your diabetes treatment plan is going on a daily basis.

According to the American Diabetes Association, you may need to visit a doctor multiple times a year for formal diabetes testing. You may also need preventive testing, such as regular cholesterol checks and eye exams.

A few tests a year at the doctor’s office are important but may not reflect the entire picture when it comes to your condition. This is because glucose levels fluctuate throughout the day and may change week to week depending on your habits.

Diabetes home tests do and should not replace your regular preventive testing, though. In addition to self-monitoring at home, a doctor will likely recommend you get an A1C test every few months. This blood test measures how your blood glucose has been averaging over the last 2 to 3 months.

Getting regular lab tests can also help you determine how well you’re managing diabetes. They’ll also help you and the healthcare team decide how often to use home tests, as well as what your target reading should be.

Diabetes home tests help you track blood sugar levels and complement your diabetes treatment. They’re easy to use and can provide valuable information on the spot. Consider asking a healthcare professional how often and when you should test, in addition to professional medical tests.