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Diabetic Testers

When a person is taking about diabetic testers they are generally referring to the machines that are used by most diabetics to test the sugar, or glucose, level of their blood. The technical name for the machine is glucometer. Diabetic testers, or glucometers, are rapidly becoming indispensable little machines for a growing number of people since the incidence of diabetes is rapidly rising each and every day.

In order to use diabetic testers the person who wishes to check their blood sugar not only needs the machine, but also alcohol wipes to clean the area, a special type of needle called a lancet to prick the skin, and the proper diabetic test strips for the machine that they will use.

Once the diabetic testing supplies are readied the person places a test strip in the machine, in most cases this automatically turns the machine on, then the person selects a body part, usually a fingertip, and cleans it with the alcohol wipe. After the alcohol is dried the person pricks the area with a lancet in order to obtain a drop of blood which is then placed on the test strip. Diabetic testers read the amount of glucose in the drop of blood and display the blood glucose level, which should be between 80 and 110 for the person to see.

There are many diabetic testers on the market today; most are so small that the machine and all the diabetic testing supplies needed for a whole day will fit in a little case which is easily carried in a pocket or a purse. Those who are looking at different brands of diabetic testers in order to decide which one to purchase should remember two things, more expensive does not always mean better, and the best diabetic tester to but is the one that they understand how to use and will use regularly.

What are Diabetic Testing Machines?

When someone mentions diabetic testing machines the device they are referring to is usually called a glucometer. Diabetic testing machines are designed to read the level of glucose, or sugar, in a drop of blood so that the blood sugar level can be tracked.

The use of diabetic testing machines is pretty simple and straight forward. To use the machine a special test strip is placed in the machine, then a drop of blood is collected by pricking the skin (usually on the finger) with a lancet, the drop of blood is placed on the test strip and the machine “reads” the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Though there is a huge variety of different makes and models of diabetic testing machines on the market, they all work in virtually the same way, some may require a little smaller drop of blood and some may “read” the sugar level quicker than the others, but the basic principal remains the same.

Hemoglobin A1C Test for Diabetics

When it comes to managing diabetes effectively the key is proper glucose management, and the best way to check the efficiency of the patient’s glucose management regimen is with the hemoglobin a1c test. Most diabetics are familiar with checking their blood sugar by glucometer, sometimes many times daily.

So How Does the Hemoglobin A1C Test Work?

The glucometer measures the level of glucose in a drop of blood which is placed on a test strip and read by the machine. The hemoglobin a1c is also a blood test which measures the average glucose levels over a long term period.

Hemoglobin is a protein based, iron containing component in red blood cells that is primarily responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs and transferring it around the body to be used by the cells. Glucose also binds to some hemoglobin and stays bound to it for the length of the life of the red blood cells which is about 120 days.

The hemoglobin a1c test measures the amount of glucose bound to the red blood cells in this manner and therefore can give the physician a very good average of the patient’s average blood glucose level for as far back as the previous three to four months.

Since proper management of glucose levels is key to diabetes treatment and glucose levels should be kept as close to normal as possible twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, day and night, the hemoglobin a1c test is an invaluable aid.

People without diabetes have and A1C of less than 6 per cent. An A1C of more than 8 per cent suggests persistently elevated glucose levels.

You should aim to keep your A1C as low as possible, especially if you are young, but also to reduce your risk of hypoglycaemia. Your own targets should take into account your age, lifestyle, work practices, life expectancy, risk of diabetes complications and side effects and a host of other factors.

The diabetic patient may check their sugar many times daily, but only the hemoglobin a1c test can give and average which includes round the clock glucose levels.

Diabetes Maintenance with Hemoglobin A1C Test

By using the hemoglobin a1c test the patient and physician can work together to make the type of medication, diet, and lifestyle changes which will keep the patient’s blood glucose level as normal as possible, as much as possible.

Managing your glucose levels requires teamwork in which you are the central player. The best way to stay in control is to harness the support of your diabetes care team. Involve your whole family and work mates as a team to optimize your diet, organise activities and improve everyone’s health!

Find out more about good EXERCISE for Diabetics HERE!