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Why You Need to Test
For a child with diabetes, their blood glucose levels may be higher than their friends and family. Their body makes glucose from the sugary and starchy foods that they eat, but the levels are also affected by other things, such as activity, extremes of weather and illness. But if they have diabetes, their body cannot use the glucose properly, so it’s important to control their glucose levels through a mixture of a healthy diet, regular activity and medication such as insulin.
What is blood glucose testing?
To find out how well your child is managing their diabetes, you will need to know what their blood glucose levels are. Your child’s nurse will help you understand how to keep your child’s blood glucose as near to normal as possible by being careful about what they eat and by doing an appropriate amount of exercise. Your nurse will also work with you to make sure you are giving your child the right amount of insulin.
How can I test my child’s blood glucose?
Your child’s nurse will show you and your child how to test their blood glucose at home, using a meter such as the CONTOUR or BREEZE 2. Don’t worry, it’s very easy to do, and your child may easily be able to do a test on their own.
Why do I need to test my child’s blood glucose?
If you test your child’s blood glucose regularly, and make a note of the results in your Glucolog record diary, you can see how well your child is managing their diabetes. Your child’s nurse will help you learn how to understand what the results mean and what you and your child need to do differently if the results aren’t quite right. Soon you’ll be an expert at managing diabetes!
And, when you and your child go to see your nurse for a check-up, you can take your child’s diary with you so you can talk about how well they are doing and find out how they can stay healthy.
How often does my child need to test?
Your nurse will tell you when it’s best to test your child’s blood glucose. This will probably involve testing several times a day, but you’ll be able to fit this in with your child’s normal mealtimes and activities. Most meters give a result in 5 seconds, so it won’t take much time at all. Sometimes your child may have to test more often, e.g. when they are ill, or if they are much busier than usual.
Target levels
The nurse will help you understand the best glucose range for your child. You can use your child’s Glucolog to keep a track of their results when you have done their tests.
Here are some great tips to make testing easier.
If you have a top tip you’d like to share with other readers, send it to us and your tip could appear on this website!
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your meter
Always wash and dry yours and your child’s hands before you test
Use the sides of your child’s fingertips – it will hurt less than if you use the pads of the fingers!
Record each result in your Glucolog so you, your child and the nurse can see how well your child is doing
Download WinGlucofacts results analysis software – let your computer calculate your averages and trends for you!
