Blood glucose (sugar) control is very important for people with diabetes. Home blood testing will help you to keep your diabetes under control, as well as give you valuable feedback on how different foods, illness, activity, or stress affect your glucose levels.

You can reduce the risk of health problems caused by diabetes by keeping your blood glucose level within the range of 4.0-6.0mmol/l before meals and 6.0-8.0mmol/l two hours after meals.

When should I test my blood glucose?

  • If your diabetes is treated with tablets, test on two days per week at different times of day to ensure your blood glucose levels are generally between 4.0-7.0mmol/l. When you find your levels in target and stable, you may wish to test less frequently and have your HbA1c level done every 3-6 months.
  • If your diabetes is treated with twice daily insulin, test your fasting glucose on waking, before lunch, before evening meal, and 2 hours after evening meal at least three days a week, to ensure the blood glucose levels are between 4.0-7.0mmol/l. You should always test before driving when you are taking any insulin. DVLA also recommends that you test every hour if driving longer distances.
  • If you take up to four injections a day, try to test four or more times a day. It is best to test before and two hours after meals to see how much your meal raises your blood glucose and to find out whether the insulin dose is correct.
  • These are guidelines only and there will be times when you should test blood more frequently, such as when you are unwell, when your tablets or insulin regimen or dose have been changed, during pregnancy, or when taking other medicines that affect your blood glucose levels, such as steroids, beta-blockers, thyroxine, and nicotine replacements.
  • Anyone who is taking insulin needs to test every time before starting to drive and at hourly intervals during a longer journey.

Which blood glucose meter?

The pharmacy at the London Medical has a selection of blood glucose meters. Our Diabetes Specialist Nurse can help you select the most suitable meter for you and provide training on its use. All meters have a manufacturer's user guide leaflet, and it is important that you read and understand the instructions. Helpline (free phone) telephone advice is available from each meter company.

If your eye sight has become very poor, there is now a Talking Glucose Meter available (SensoCard Plus) in the UK. Please contact our Pharmacist.

Where can I obtain my strips and lancets?

London Medical stocks the full range of test strips and lancets to match the glucose meters in our Pharmacy. These can be purchased when you attend the clinic or we can arrange for the products to be delivered to you by post. If you have an older meter please check by ringing the clinic to ensure you obtain accurate test results. 




New dietary supplement studied for age-related macular degeneration
Researchers are investigating the potential of a n... (Click here)