Glucometer: principle of operation, rules of use

Diabetes mellitus is a rather complex disease that affects all organs and systems. This disease occurs when the endocrine component of the pancreas is disturbed, as a result of which the amount of glucose in the blood is either in shortage or in excess. There are two types of diabetes – insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent. As for the latter, it is not as dangerous as the first, since it does not require constant injections of the hormone insulin.

Fortunately, monitoring blood sugar levels for diabetes prevention and disease control has now become much easier, because scientists have invented a special portable device – a glucometer , with which you can at any time determine the level of glucose in your own body. 

Glucometer and blood sugar

There are certain indicators, the norm, within which there can be a level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The general figures for a healthy person are as follows:

– in men, sugar levels can range from 4.2-6.6 mmol / l;

– for women, a figure of 3.8-7.3 mmol / l is considered normal.

To determine these indicators use a glucometer. The sugar norm deviated slightly from the permissible level – this does not mean that a person has diabetes. Some fluctuations in the amount of glucose in the body are permissible, but in order to avoid a possible risk, you still need to undergo an examination and donate blood for analysis. It is better to do it on an empty stomach, in a calm physical and psychological state.  

Do not eat before passing the analysis – not a problem. As for the calm state, certain problems may arise with this. Public transport, a queue in a hospital, etc. can become a irritant. Just in this case, a glucometer is convenient. He is always at hand, it’s easy to use, plus, you don’t need to go anywhere and spend your time on a doctor’s appointment.

Types of glucometers

Modern medicine is constantly being improved – that is why a variety of types of glucometers are currently created . What are blood glucose testers? 

By the principle of action, such portable devices are divided into electrochemical and photometric.

Photometric glucometers record a color change in a special test zone. Such devices operate on capillary blood.

Electrochemical glucometer. This is an apparatus built on the complex principles of the chemical interaction of blood glucose with special chemical elements. During this interaction, a current is released, which is what the device registers. Electrochemical glucometers belong to the new generation of diagnostic medical equipment and give an accurate result, independent of external factors.

Do not forget that, like all devices, the meter has its own percentage of error. On average, it is 20%, and in some cases even exceeds this threshold. Therefore, for a more accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to compare the readings of the glucometer and laboratory tests.

After you have purchased your own device, the question arises: how to use the meter ? In fact, there is nothing complicated. The main thing is to carry out the diagnosis in stages. 

First of all, it is necessary to prepare everything necessary for measurement: the device itself, test strips, a needle and lancets. Make sure that your hands are cleanly washed and dried. Then you need to shake your hand, from which, presumably, blood will be taken to increase blood flow to it.

Then turn on the meter. Some devices turn on automatically after the test strip is inserted into a special hole.

After that, you should pierce the skin on the finger with a needle, so that a small drop of blood appears, which will need to be transferred to the test strip. It remains to wait a bit. Depending on the type of meter, the analysis speed varies from 3 to 45 seconds.

Do not forget that the strips are disposable, so after use they must be disposed of. Otherwise, the result will be inaccurate or not at all fundamentally correct.

These are the general rules for a blood glucose test. Depending on the type of appliance, some aspects may vary, so you must carefully read the instructions before using the apparatus.