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Debra Manzella, R.N.
Type 2 Diabetes Blog

By Debra Manzella, R.N., About.com Guide to Type 2 Diabetes

Are You New to Testing Your Blood Sugar? It's the Inside Story...

Sunday March 30, 2008

The Diabetes Forum is a good place for support when you're first learning how to manage your diabetes. Nervous about testing your blood sugar for the first time? This week, in a thread titled Please Help, Sillygirl16 wants to know... does it hurt?

Sillygirl16 asks, I have never checked my sugar before, but I am getting a meter as soon as possible. Please give me advice on where is the most painless place to use? Is it really painful and hard to get used to doing to yourself? I'm really nervous about it... read more.

Chollalamb answers, It is not very painful. Turn the dial to the least point on the lancet holder and put against the edge of the pad of one of your fingers, and push the button...read more.

Sillygirl16 replies, How often do you think I should test my sugar? What if I feel low but the meter does not read that I am...read more.

Chollalamb adds, The expense of checking glucose is the test strips!! The companies give the meters away sometimes with the purchase of a certain number of strip containers...read more.

Regularly checking blood glucose levels gives you a handle on where your blood sugar levels are right at the moment that you test. Some foods and activities can influence blood glucose and it's good to know which situations will raise or lower your levels. Keep track in a journal, and over time you'll get a feel for how you react to different foods and exercise.

More from your diabetes guide...

Photo courtesy of Silverstock/Getty Images

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