Blood sugar levels can be tested at home using urine or blood tests, with blood tests being more accurate. Normal levels are between 70-100 mg/dL for non-diabetics and 90-130 mg/dL for diabetics. A glucometer is used for blood tests, while urine tests require specialized strips.
Testing blood sugar levels can be done in several ways. Anyone can get tested quickly at a doctor’s office, but people with diabetes or other illnesses that can affect blood sugar may need to know what it is about on a daily basis. Checking blood sugar levels at home can usually be done with a urine test or blood test. Of the two types of tests, a blood test is generally considered to be the more accurate. Instructions for urine and blood tests can vary depending on the manufacturer of the test, but most work similarly.
To check blood sugar levels using a urine test, you will need some specialized urine test strips. These can be administered by your doctor or purchased at various pharmacies. The process of checking blood sugar with a urine test involves urinating into a cup and dipping the test strip into the urine sample. The strip changes color to show where your blood sugar is. These tests normally come with a color-coded reference chart so you can compare your test results to the chart to find out what your levels are.
Checking your blood sugar with a blood test tends to be a little more complicated than using a urine test. You can do this at home using a special device called a glucometer which will give a digital readout of your blood sugar levels. First, you’ll need to prick your fingertip with a lancet, which normally comes with your meter. After you have drawn some blood, you will need to press the meter strip against the blood. When you have an accurate reading of your blood glucose levels, it will show on your screen.
Normal blood glucose readings are usually between 70 and 100 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) for people without diabetes. People with diabetes can have blood sugar levels of 90 to 130 mg/dL. Levels will almost always be higher than normal right after eating a meal, but should be back within the normal range after a few hours have passed. If you use a urine test kit, please note that the results shown do not reflect your current blood glucose levels, but instead reflect the levels as they were a few hours before the test. Only a blood test can tell you what your levels are at the exact moment you take the test.
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