How to Test Blood Glucose With a Glucometer

1). Turn on your glucometer. Determine where you are going to puncture for blood, generally the fingertip.
2). Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them. Insert a glucose test strip into the glucometer.
3). Pierce the side of your fingertip with the lancet device to obtain a drop of blood. The size of the blood drop needed depends on the glucometer; consult the manufacturer's manual to determine how much blood you need to apply.
4). Place your fingertip at the edge of the glucose strip and hold it to allow the strip to absorb the blood drop. Wipe any excess blood away with gauze.
5). Read the glucose value that appears on the glucometer display. The typical range for diabetic glucose levels are 70 to 130 mg/dL before a meal and less than 180 mg/dL after a meal.
6). Record your glucose readings. It is important to write your glucose results down to monitor your condition and treatment and to discuss your plan with your doctor.