Understanding Glucometers: How to Check Blood Glucose Levels

This article explains what a glucometer (also known as a glucose meter) is. This medical device is used to measure the glucose level in the blood.

The following units are commonly used for measuring blood sugar or glucose levels:

• mmol/l
• mg/dl
• mg%

Here are some useful unit conversions:

• 1 mmol/l is equal to 18 milligram/deciliter
• 1 mg/dl is equal to 0.055555555555556 millimole / liter

How to Check Glucose Levels in Blood

Here’s a step-by-step guide for beginners on how to check blood glucose levels. This guide is generic and applicable to most glucometers.

Figure 1: Glucose test items required

Figure 2

Step 1: Gather the necessary items, as shown in Figure 1.

• Glucose meter (e.g., Prodigy AutoCode or Accu Chek Active)
• Test strip (compatible with the meter)
• Lancet device for extracting a blood sample
• Lancet (for piercing the skin)
• Swab for sterilizing the finger

Figure 3

Step 2: Prepare everything before the test. Insert the lancet into the lancet device, readying it for piercing the finger (as shown in Figures 1 and 2). Also, insert the test strip into the glucose meter, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4

Step 3: Thoroughly wash your hands, especially the finger you’ll be piercing. Use a swab to sterilize the finger further for more accurate results.

Figure 5

Step 4: Pierce the finger using the lancet device and obtain a blood sample, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6

Step 5: Wait a few seconds for the glucometer to display the results in the selected unit of measurement.

Step 6: After the test, dispose of the used lancet and test strip properly to prevent infection of yourself or others.

Recommendation: For more reliable results, consider alternative glucose measurement methods, such as urine glucose tests.