What is a sugar test?
A blood sugar test is a technique that determines the quantity of sugar in your blood, often known as glucose. This test may be ordered by your doctor to aid in the diagnosis of diabetes. This test can also be used by diabetics to help them control their condition. A blood sugar test may also be ordered as part of a normal examination by your doctor. They may also check to determine whether you have diabetes or prediabetes, a disease in which your blood sugar levels are abnormally high.
A blood sugar test may be ordered by your doctor to determine if you show the symptoms of or are afflicted with diabetes or prediabetes. The test will determine how much glucose is in your blood.
Carbohydrates in meals like grains and fruits are converted into glucose by your body. Glucose, a sugar, is one of the body's primary energy sources.
A home test can help diabetics keep track of their blood sugar levels. A blood sugar test can help you assess your blood sugar level and determine whether you need to change your diet, exercise routine, or diabetic medicines.
A Blood Sugar Test can be done in two ways. People with diabetes who are monitoring or managing their condition use a glucometer to test their blood sugar on a regular basis. The other option is to take a blood sample.
Diabetic screening is usually done with blood samples. A fasting blood sugar test will be ordered by your doctor. This test, commonly known as a hemoglobin A1C test, evaluates your blood sugar levels, or glycosylated hemoglobin. This test's results are based on your blood sugar levels over the past 90 days. The findings will reveal if you have prediabetes or diabetes, as well as how well your diabetes is managed.
Regular blood sugar monitoring can help in the management of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes develops due to inherited genes or environmental factors. It is a condition in which your immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in your pancreas. Type 2 diabetes occurs due to lifestyle choices. It is a condition in which your body develops resistance to insulin. You can monitor your blood sugar levels using a blood sugar meter.
Below are a few tips to help you understand the process of using a blood sugar meter:
- Clean the meter
- The test strips are sensitive and can be damaged if exposed to moisture. Close the container tightly after taking a test strip out
- Do not use alcohol-based fluids to clean your finger, instead wash your hands with soap and warm water
- Use a lancet to make a tiny puncture on your finger and place a few blood drops on the strip and carefully place it in the meter
- The test results will appear in a few seconds, record it to keep a track
- Carefully dispose of the lancet