Diabetes Care Community

Tag: blood glucose meters

  • Overcoming barriers to blood glucose monitoring

    Overcoming barriers to blood glucose monitoring

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]As someone living with diabetes, you may have heard the diabetes healthcare team talk about the importance of blood glucose monitoring. Blood glucose levels keep changing all the time, and you know that for some people, especially those on insulin, regular monitoring can help provide information to help you make decisions on how best to reach target blood glucose levels. The team has also explained how staying on track is important to avoid or delay diabetes complications.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][ad-slot slotcode=’div-gpt-ad-lb-resp-cont1′][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Start by recognizing two things: first, studies show it is not uncommon for people to avoid monitoring; and second, this is rarely due to willful refusal to follow a diabetes management plan. Many people genuinely find it tough to include blood glucose monitoring in their daily routines. Let’s take a look at some common barriers, together with strategies for overcoming them.

    Barrier #1: The meter makes people depressed

    Many people with diabetes grow to hate their blood glucose meters in a very personal way. They see their meter as constantly telling them they have failed the test, despite all their best efforts. They may also see it as taking over control, dictating what they can and cannot do. As well, many individuals experience “diabetes burnout,” a state of emotional fatigue and frustration that results from the continuous demands of managing the condition.

    Far from taking over control, a meter can be a valuable tool to help a person stay in control of their own life and their health. There are no tests to fail. A meter merely monitors, providing information about what is going on, so that appropriate changes can be made.

    Think of it as being like a car dashboard gauge that provides information on the level of gas in the tank. In a similar manner, a blood glucose meter displays the measure of glucose in the blood. As the driver, you are able to decide how to use the information provided.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][ad-slot slotcode=’div-gpt-ad-lb-resp-cont2′][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

    Barrier #2: Monitoring seems pointless – nothing works

    If despite best efforts, blood glucose levels continue to miss the targets, it’s understandable that you may feel monitoring is a waste of time.

    Reassure that on the contrary, monitoring can be an important tool to help identify the cause of blood glucose level swings. If regular monitoring has been recommended for you, keep a record of your readings, as well as any information regarding your food and physical activity, and take it along to the next meeting with the diabetes healthcare team. It will help them identify what adjustments may need to be made within the diabetes management plan.

    It may also be that expectations are too high. For information about blood glucose swings, read our article Not all blood glucose levels need to be perfect. Instead of aiming for specific numbers at certain times, it can also be helpful to ask the team to determine the recommended highest and lowest numbers for different times of the day. Having a range can make it easier to meet targets.[/vc_column_text][read-also-article article-slug=”burnout-can-be-defeated”][vc_column_text css=””]

    Barrier #3: Monitoring hurts

    Generally speaking, it shouldn’t do. Today’s lancets are small and slim. However, there may sometimes be instances when the lancet pricks awkwardly or hits a sore patch. Pricking the side of the finger can usually avoid discomfort.  And changing lancets regularly will also help since a dull lancet will be more painful to use.  Read our article Tips for reducing pain with blood glucose monitoring.

    Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have significantly improved the ease and convenience of blood glucose monitoring by providing real-time glucose data without the need for frequent finger pricks. The introduction of needle-free glucose monitoring systems, like sensors that work through the skin without puncturing it, further reduces physical discomfort.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][ad-slot slotcode=’div-gpt-ad-lb-resp-cont3′][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

    Barrier #4: It’s hard to understand what the numbers mean

    Understanding what your blood sugar readings mean and why it’s important to monitor them can make a big difference in how you manage your diabetes. If you’re unsure how to use your blood glucose meter, don’t understand your readings, or don’t know how to use the information to adjust your lifestyle or treatment, you might be less motivated to check your levels regularly.

    The good news is that knowledge is power. Diabetes education programs are designed to teach you how to manage your condition. These programs cover everything from how to properly test your blood sugar to understanding what your readings mean and how they affect your long-term health. If you’re not sure where to start, your pharmacist or healthcare provider can guide you. They can also show you how to use your meter or continuous glucose monitor, so you feel confident managing your blood sugar on your own.

    Barrier #5: Monitoring gets in the way of life.

    It can seem inconvenient to have to keep stopping what you are doing during the day to monitor blood glucose levels. It can also be awkward to have to carry the equipment around with you all the time. Both these challenges can be particularly difficult for people who are in the workforce.

    Try associating blood glucose monitoring with other rituals that are part of a routine day. For example, keep the meter by the toothbrush and monitor before brushing teeth each morning. Find other activities that can be associated with monitoring times or set alarms in your smartphone.

    Monitoring your blood glucose can be a valuable tool for helping you to reach your diabetes management goals. If you have other questions about blood glucose monitoring that you would like addressed in future articles, please email us here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””][ad-slot slotcode=’div-gpt-ad-lb-resp-cont4′][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

    Barrier #6: It costs too much to monitor

    The cost of blood glucose meters, test strips, or CGMs can be a significant challenge, especially if you don’t have insurance or your plan doesn’t cover these supplies. Many people find it hard to afford these tools, leading to less frequent testing or even stopping altogether.

    There are ways to address this. First, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to see if there are more affordable options that are just as effective. Speak with your diabetes healthcare team to see if there are any assistance programs to help with access to the supplies you need.

    Blood glucose monitoring is a critical part of managing diabetes, but it’s understandable that it can feel like a burden at times. Whether you’re dealing with emotional burnout, financial constraints, or physical discomfort, there are ways to overcome these barriers. Seek support from healthcare providers, take advantage of newer technologies, and educate yourself about your condition. With the right tools and strategies, you can take control of your diabetes management and live a healthier, more balanced life.[/vc_column_text][read-also-article article-slug=”harmful-high-blood-sugar”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Using an insulin pump with a blood glucose meter or CGM

    Using an insulin pump with a blood glucose meter or CGM

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    Blood glucose monitoring and Insulin pumps

    Checking your blood glucose (BG) readings regularly – and responding to the readings – are the two most important things that people can do to ensure their success and safety with insulin pump therapy.

    When people start on pump therapy, they’re usually taught by their health care team to check their BG quite frequently. In fact, for the first couple of weeks, it’s wise to check it eight to ten times per day. This includes:

    • Before each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and two hours after each meal: comparing your pre-meal BG level to your post-meal BG level allows you to determine if your insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio is set correctly.
    • Bedtime, every three to four hours during sleep, and when you first wake up in the morning: comparing your BG level during your sleep schedule allows you to determine if your overnight basal rates are set correctly.

    These readings will provide you and your health care team with the information needed to adjust the settings on your pump so that they can be fine-tuned specifically for you. Some of the settings that may need to be adjusted include your basal rate, insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, correction factor and target ranges.

    Once you learn how to use the pump – and the settings are adjusted correctly – you can have better BG control.

    After the initial two-week period of checking, you should check your BG four to six times each day. The table below shows when people who are routinely using pump therapy should check their BG, and why.

    Check BG Why?
    When you first wake up Shows if fasting BGs are high or low
    Before each meal
    (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)    		 Determines if you need to take additional insulin for a BG that is above your target or less insulin if your BG is below your target range
    Bedtime Provides information to help you make adjustments to prevent low or high BGs during sleep
    Occasionally during the night
    (at 3:00 am)    		 Allows you to see if your BG levels are stable through the night and if your nighttime basal rates are set correctly

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    Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pumps

    A CGM system can be used when you wear a pump for insulin delivery, or without pump therapy as a standalone. Many pump users find CGM quite helpful in their overall diabetes management. CGM isn’t the same as BG monitoring, as sensors are placed into your body and transmit BG results to a pump or CGM receiver. The sensors measure the glucose in your interstitial fluid (the fluid in and around your body’s cells).

    A CGM system senses and records glucose levels every five minutes, which means it can show trends, i.e. whether BG levels are rising or falling. In contrast, blood glucose meters provide you with only a “snapshot” of your BG levels at a particular point in time. Thus, a CGM system can show users their glucose trends as they develop and help them to make more timely changes.

    The Canadian Diabetes Association’s recent clinical practice guidelines note that recent advances in CGM systems may augment the diabetes management of people who use an insulin pump.

    Furthermore, it has been shown in studies that pump therapy and CGM systems, when used together, result in fewer episodes of hypoglycemia than with traditional BG testing. In fact, a recent study was conducted on 485 people with type 1 diabetes, who were not well-controlled in their diabetes management. The study participants were split into two groups: those who were using pump therapy and a CGM system, and those who used multiple daily insulin injections of insulin to manage their type 1 diabetes. At the end of the study, the participants who used an insulin pump plus a CGM system to manage their diabetes had significantly lower A1C and BG levels.

    CGM is recommended for people with diabetes who are willing and able to use it properly, and can calibrate it as needed. It is especially recommended for people who:

    • Suffer from frequent episodes of hypoglycemia, which cause problems with daily activities
    • Have an extreme fear of hypoglycemia
    • Suffer from episodes of severe hypoglycemia – despite optimized use of insulin therapy and conventional BG monitoring
    • Have hypoglycemia unawareness

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  • Blood glucose meters

    Blood glucose meters

    Blood glucose meters help to make blood glucose monitoring part of day-to-day routine. There are a number of different options, which your diabetes healthcare team will discuss.

    All meters work on the general principle of a drop of blood being applied to a test strip, which is then ‘read’ to reveal the blood glucose level. The blood glucose meters currently available require only a very tiny sample of blood.

    The meter ‘reads’ the blood glucose level of the blood drop – usually within seconds. The blood glucose level will show up on a screen on the meter. Many blood glucose meters keep the level in their ‘memory’ so that you can refer back to them at a later time.

    Blood glucose meters can be purchased at most pharmacies. You should compare the various features and benefits of all the meters before making a final decision. Your pharmacist or diabetes educator can help you select the most appropriate meter. In addition to cost, here are some questions to consider:

    • How easy is it to use?
    • How many steps are involved?
    • How easy is it to read the screen?
    • How easy is it to clean?
    • Size of the meter
    • What are the download capabilities?
    • Does it show blood sugar patterns?

    For more information on this, check out Dr. Maureen Clement’s blog, Home blood glucose meters – which one do I choose?

    You should also ask for instruction on how to check if the meter is accurate.

    Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your diabetes educator or pharmacist. They will want to be sure you feel comfortable with blood glucose monitoring. If you are caring for someone with diabetes, it is a good idea to learn how to test your loved ones’ blood glucose level as well.