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Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG)
Tips for Success
Routinely checking blood glucose with a lancet can become a dreaded task. Make this process easier with the following tips:
- Wash hands with warm soapy water before checking. This is especially important if you've handled food. Some fruits are known offenders for causing falsely elevated readings
- Alcohol swabs are not recommended for routine use as it may dry out the skin.
- Prick the side of a finger instead of the more sensitive tip.
- Hold the hand down and milk the palm with the thumb of the opposite hand instead of squeezing the finger. This increases blood flow to the finger tip.
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- Use a lancet device with an adjustable depth to avoid pain.
- High quality devices are recommended as some may be sharper than others.
- If it hurts like a bee sting instead of a mosquito bite, it's time to dial the lancet device to a lower setting.
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Monitoring Recommendations
Some coverage only allows for the usage of one strip per day. However, occasions do exist when closer monitoring is necessary.
- Create an individualize monitoring schedule based on the type of therapy
- Monitor before administering a dose of rapid acting (bolus) insulin
- Before driving or intense exercise
- When hypoglycemia is suspected or to evaluate response to treatment for hypoglycemia
- During illness
- When changing diabetes medication therapy
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Timing Ideas
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Once daily, at different times on each day. For instance, check before breakfast Monday, before lunch on Tuesday, etc
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Paired monitoring: two readings taken at specific time intervals that produce useful information. An example would be pre and 1-2 hours post meal.
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7-point monitoring: check before and after each meal and at bedtime.
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Structured monitoring: for example, 7-point monitoring for three or four days before the office appointment.
Encourage patients with diabetes to visit a Montana Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (DCES). If one is not located in your area, telehealth services may be available for patients to use, instead.
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