Seven common misunderstandings about self-testing blood sugar. How many of them do you encounter?

Seven common misunderstandings about self-testing blood sugar and their correct practices

Myth 1: Not calibrating your blood glucose meter for a long time

Wrong practice : Many people ignore the importance of regular calibration when using blood glucose meters, thinking that as long as the blood glucose meter can display normal readings, it is sufficient.

Correct approach : The blood glucose meter may deviate during use. It is recommended to calibrate it every six months to one year to ensure the accuracy of the measurement results. When calibrating, you can use a calibration fluid or compare it with venous blood glucose.

Misunderstanding 2: Improper storage of test strips

Wrong practice : Some people leave blood glucose test strips lying around or store them without sealing them, causing them to get damp or be exposed to extreme temperatures.

Correct method : Blood glucose test strips should be sealed and stored in a dry, cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. The temperature should generally be between 2℃ and 30℃. After the test strip is opened, the validity period is 3 months from the date of opening.

Myth 3: Reusing blood collection needles

Wrong practice : To save costs, some patients reuse lancets.

Correct practice : Blood collection needles should be used once. Reuse will not only increase the risk of infection, but may also cause the needle tip to become blunt, increase pain during blood collection and affect the amount of blood collected.

Misunderstanding 4: Check whether the ambient temperature is too low or too high

Bad Practice : Testing Blood Glucose in Cold or Hot Environments.

Correct method : The working temperature of the blood glucose meter is generally between 10 and 40 degrees Celsius. In a cold environment, you should first hang your arms down or soak your hands in warm water to make your fingertips congested.

Myth 5: Disinfection with iodine or iodine tincture

Wrong way : Use iodine or iodine solution to disinfect your fingers.

Correct method : Iodine has an oxidizing effect and will react with the chemicals on the test paper, resulting in a high test result. It is recommended to use 75% alcohol for disinfection and wait for the alcohol to completely evaporate before taking blood.

Myth 6: Squeeze your fingertips to draw blood

Wrong Practice : Excessively squeezing the fingertip when drawing blood.

Correct way : Excessive squeezing will cause tissue fluid to mix with blood, affecting blood sugar measurement results. The correct way is to gently squeeze the fingertips to let the blood flow out naturally.

Myth 7: Only measure fasting blood sugar

Wrong practice : Many patients only focus on fasting blood sugar and ignore the measurement of postprandial blood sugar.

Correct approach : Postprandial blood sugar is very important for evaluating the control of diabetes. It is recommended to measure postprandial blood sugar from time to time to understand the impact of diet on blood sugar.

By avoiding these common misconceptions, people with diabetes can more accurately monitor their blood sugar levels, allowing them to better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.