Measurement of blood sugar and, if necessary, its timely correction is required to prevent the development of severe complications of diabetes. Since glycemic control is a constant need, diabetic patients are trained to do it themselves at home. For this purpose, portable devices for measuring blood sugar - glucometers are used. Such devices allow you to monitor blood glucose levels not only in diabetics, but also in healthy people if necessary.

Analysis of the results of measuring blood sugar allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy, determine the correct strategy for each stage of treatment and lifestyle, optimize the energy value of food intake, promptly make changes, adjust the diet and dosage of drugs.

Modern models of glucometers have the ability to connect to a computer and the function of automatic recording and processing of measurement results.

Types of glucometers

There are several types of glucometers:

• photochemical glucometers– measure the indicators of the amount of glucose in the blood in accordance with the change in the color of the reagent. The blood from the finger is mixed with special substances applied to the test strip. Blood glucose enters into a chemical reaction with the reagent, the reagent turns blue, while the intensity of the shade will depend on the concentration of glucose. The optical system of the device analyzes the change in the test area and displays the result in digital terms on the display. The photochemical method has disadvantages and is considered obsolete;
• electrochemical glucometers- fix indicators of glucose content in the blood by measuring the magnitude of the electric current released during the reaction. Glucose interacts with the reaction zone of the test strip, which contains a mixture of dry reagents, resulting in a weak electric current, the value of which is analyzed by the measuring device of the device. The results are displayed on the screen as an indicator of glucose concentration. Electrochemical devices, more accurate than photochemical ones, belong to the third generation of glucometers.

Several more types of glucometers are at the stage of development and implementation - optical biosensors based on surface plasma resonance, and spectrometric glucometers that measure blood sugar levels by scanning the skin of the patient's palm. Such a device makes it possible to determine the glucose content without blood sampling, using a laser.

Glucometer device

A classic glucometer consists of the following elements:

• accumulator battery;
• a tool for piercing fingers - a semi-automatic scarifier (lancet);
• electronic unit equipped with a liquid crystal display;
• unique set of test strips.

To record the results of measuring blood sugar, you can create a special table or use ready-made forms of self-monitoring journals.

Glucometers may differ in size, speed of action, memory and screen options, and cost. Modern glucometers are compact, accurate, have a high speed of obtaining results, do not require complex maintenance, and only a small amount of capillary blood, i.e. taken from a finger, is needed to use them.

Modern models can be equipped with useful additional features:

• memory;
• computerization of results;
• the ability to save the latest results;
• separate maintenance of statistics;
• calculation of the average value of the blood sugar level for a certain period;
• control of ketone bodies in the blood;
• auto-coding of test strips;
• voice function.

All glucometers measure blood sugar in different ways and give different results. Each device is calibrated (tuned) against a glucose reference solution. After calibration, each batch of strips receives a unique digital code that is entered into the meter. It is necessary to calibrate the device according to the test strips. Some meter models require the code to be entered manually for each new batch of test strips, while other meters require the code to be entered automatically.

To compare the results of different blood sugar machines, you need to know the true value of blood glucose, which can only be determined by a laboratory analyzer. The best way to check the accuracy of your home meter is to compare your personal meter readings with laboratory readings at every visit.

Method for measuring blood sugar

The choice of time for measuring blood sugar with a glucometer and the frequency of the analysis are selected by the doctor based on individual indications. In non-insulin-dependent types of diabetes, blood sugar is usually measured twice a day.

The norm of blood sugar in adults ranges from 3.3–5.5 mmol / l. A blood sugar level of 7.8–11.0 is characteristic of prediabetes, an increase in glucose concentration of more than 11 mmol / l indicates diabetes mellitus.

The minimum frequency of glycemic control in insulin-dependent types of diabetes is four times a day. The more frequently blood sugar is measured, the more information is available about the effectiveness of drug therapy and the factors that influence blood glucose lowering. With instability of glycemia, experts recommend that patients taking insulin measure blood sugar in the morning and before bedtime, before and after meals, before playing sports, as well as in unusual situations: before performing activities that require a high concentration of attention, with concomitant diseases, unmotivated deterioration well-being, in stressful situations, with changes in the usual rhythm of life, pregnancy.

Analysis algorithm:

• wash your hands with soap and warm water and dry them with a clean towel. It is not worth treating hands with disinfectant solutions, alcohol-containing liquids or wet wipes, in this case it is likely to get an erroneous result;
• warm your fingers to room temperature, lightly massage your hands to improve blood circulation;
• install a sterile needle into the scarifier;
• remove the test strip from the sealed vial;
• attach the test strip to the glucometer socket;
• turn on the glucometer, and after checking the coding and expiration date of the test strip, a message appears on the display that it is ready for use;
• choose the optimal puncture depth, taking into account individual sensitivity and skin thickness;
• make a puncture on the skin of the side of the finger with a piercing pen. For blood sampling, it is recommended to use different puncture sites;
• place a drop of blood in the area where the test strip is applied;
• apply a cotton swab soaked in an alcohol solution to the puncture site;
• remove the test strip from the device.

When the required amount of blood is received, the device displays a corresponding message on the screen and starts the diagnostics. The test results will be ready in 5-50 seconds.

For a meaningful analysis of blood glucose levels, it is recommended to conduct the so-called paired testing, in which the measurement of sugar levels is done before and after a certain event or activity.

Errors when measuring blood sugar with a glucometer:

• using test strips designed for a different meter model;
• non-compliance with the temperature regime during blood sampling (too low or high air temperature in the room, cold hands);
• contamination of hands or test strips;
• shallow puncture, a lot or little blood for analysis;
• getting into the blood of a solution for disinfection, water;
• contamination or damage to the glucometer;
• lack of checking the accuracy of the device, incorrectly set test strip code;
• improper storage of test strips (vial not tightly closed, too high or too low storage temperature, storage beyond the expiration date).

Recording and analytics of test results

Recording the results of measuring blood sugar at home is extremely important, it allows you to respond in time to changes in the body, evaluate how the balance of calories from food intake affects blood glucose levels, choose the optimal physical activity, and adjust insulin doses.

It should be remembered that the norm of blood sugar in adults ranges from 3.3–5.5 mmol / l. A blood sugar level of 7.8–11.0 is characteristic of prediabetes, an increase in glucose concentration of more than 11 mmol / l indicates diabetes mellitus. Experts recommend diabetics to keep sugar in the range of 5.5-6.0 mmol / l. Additionally, the general condition of the endocrine system, the presence of secondary diseases, the age and gender of the patient are taken into account.

To record the results of measuring blood sugar, you can create a special table or use ready-made forms of self-monitoring journals. Modern models of glucometers have the ability to connect to a computer and the function of automatic recording and processing of measurement results. Computer applications are able to analyze measurement results, visualize indicators for a certain period of time in the form of charts or graphs.

Each device is calibrated against a glucose reference solution. After calibration, each batch of strips receives a unique digital code that is entered into the meter.

The self-control log contains information about the time of blood sugar measurement, doses of insulin and other medications taken, blood pressure, body weight, physical activity schedule, information about food, emotional state.

For a meaningful analysis of blood glucose levels, it is recommended to conduct the so-called paired testing, in which the measurement of sugar levels is done before and after a certain event or activity. So, measuring blood sugar before and after meals will help you understand how correctly the diet or individual foods are chosen. Comparing readings taken in the evening and in the morning will show changes in glucose levels in the body during sleep.

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