What to Know About Home Diabetes Monitoring

When people talk about monitoring diabetes at home, they usually mean checking blood sugar. That is the core of it, but home monitoring can cover more: your feet, your blood pressure, your weight and how you feel. Knowing what you can usefully track yourself, and what needs a clinic or laboratory, helps you make the most of both.

What you can monitor at home

Blood glucose

Using a meter or a continuous glucose monitor, as your team recommends. Typical times are on waking, before meals, two hours after meals and at bedtime. Common targets are 80 to 130 mg/dL before meals and under 180 mg/dL two hours after the start of a meal, but use the targets set for you.

Your feet

Diabetes can reduce sensation and circulation in the feet, so injuries may go unnoticed. The CDC recommends checking your feet every day for cuts, redness, swelling, sores, blisters, corns, calluses or other changes. Use a mirror or ask for help to see the soles.

Blood pressure

Many people with diabetes are asked to check blood pressure at home, since controlling it protects the heart and kidneys. An automatic upper arm monitor, such as our Automatic Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, is the type generally recommended for home use.

Weight

Regular weighing under the same conditions helps track progress if weight management is part of your plan.

Ketones

People with type 1 diabetes, and some others, are advised to check for ketones in urine or blood when glucose is very high or during illness. Ask your team whether this applies to you and what to do with the results.

Symptoms and events

Note episodes of low blood sugar, illness, missed doses, unusual meals and exercise. These explain your numbers.

What home monitoring cannot do

Some assessments need a professional:

• A1C is normally measured by a laboratory or clinic. Home A1C kits exist, but results should be confirmed with your doctor.
• Kidney function requires urine and blood tests.
• Cholesterol requires a blood test.
• Eye health requires a dilated eye examination.
• Nerve and circulation checks in the feet.

Home meters are also not used to diagnose diabetes. Diagnosis requires laboratory testing.

About home-use tests

The FDA explains that home-use tests can help detect or monitor conditions but should not replace regular visits to your doctor. Whatever test you use:

• choose products that are cleared or approved by the FDA;
• read and follow the instructions exactly;
• check expiration dates and storage instructions;
• discuss results with your healthcare professional before making decisions about treatment.

Setting up for success

• Agree on a plan. Ask what to measure, when, and what your targets are.
• Get trained. Have a nurse or educator watch you test.
• Create a testing spot. Keep supplies together in a clean, dry place.
• Record consistently. Use a logbook, an app or your meter’s memory.
• Review patterns weekly.

When home results need action

Ask your team for written guidance on:

• what to do for a reading below 70 mg/dL;
• at what high reading to call;
• when to check for ketones;
• what to do when you are ill;
• which symptoms require emergency care.

Involving family or carers

People who live with you should know where your supplies are, how to recognize low blood sugar and what to do in an emergency.

Useful supplies

A basic home setup includes a meter and strips, lancets and a lancing device, a sharps container, and a logbook. Our Blood Glucose Monitoring Kit covers the testing essentials.

The bottom line

Home monitoring is broader than blood sugar. Checking glucose, feet and, where advised, blood pressure and weight gives you and your team an early view of how things are going. Find supplies in our diabetes care range.

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monitoring Your Blood Sugar.
2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Managing Diabetes.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your Diabetes Care Schedule.
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Home Use Tests.