Accu-Chek®

TEXT SIZE: Decrease text size Increase text size

WelcomeLogin | Register

Sign in here.

Forgot your password?

Cancel

For Healthcare Professionals

This section contains information specifically for healthcare professionals that have an interest in Diabetes. To access this area you must be registered on this site and be logged in.

Services for Professionals

Under 18?

This section is for under 18's and contains a great interactive tool to help you and your family learn more about diabetes.

Managing Diabetes

- The interactive web tool for children and families. It may be helpful to look at this section with your parents at first.

Share this page Email this page Print this page

Close X

Choose a Share Option:

Close X

Email This Page

All fields must be filled in

Tip: to send to multiple recipients, separate email addresses with commas.

Cancel

Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG)

Mother and son check blood glucose with meter

By self-monitoring your blood glucose you can measure how your body handles different types of food, exercise, medication, stress and illness. Your blood glucose result may prompt you to eat a snack, take more insulin or go for a walk. Self-monitoring can also alert you to a blood glucose level that is too high or too low, which requires special treatment.

Controlling your blood glucose level is a very important part of managing diabetes. Regularly testing your blood glucose helps measure the effectiveness of your meal plan, physical activity and medications.

The results of self-monitoring can help guide you and your healthcare team to adjust the many parts of your therapy.

To self-test your blood glucose, you need a blood glucose meter, a test strip and a lancing device. Then, follow these basic steps:1

  • Wash and dry your hands. Using warm water may help increase the blood flow to your fingertips
  • Follow the instructions included with your lancing device to get a drop of blood— which normally include shaking your hands below the wrist or gently squeezing your finger a few times to help
  • Apply the blood drop to the test strip as directed
  • Wait a few seconds to view your results
  • Dispose of the lancet and test strip in the proper manner

While testing from the tip of a finger is most common, it is possible to use alternate site testing (AST). Other methods of testing and monitoring look at your blood glucose in the long-term. An HbA1c (also known as glycated haemoglobin or A1c) test gives you a picture of your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months.

1 Joslin Diabetes Center. Blood glucose monitoring: your tool for diabetes control. Available at: http://www.joslin.org/managing_your_diabetes_650.asp. Accessed October 16, 2008.
2 American Diabetes Association. A1C test, Available http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/a1c-test.jsp Accessed November 11, 2008.

A long-term indicator of blood glucose control, also known as A1c, glycated haemoglobin or glycosylated haemoglobin test. A1c is a monitoring test to measure the amount of glucose bound to haemoglobin; this indicates the average blood glucose levels over a two to three month period (when blood glucose levels rise, glucose in the blood attaches to haemoglobin, the red blood cell pigment, and remains for the life of the red blood cell, about 120 days).Diabetes Professional Associations recommend an A1C result of 7% or less to help reduce the risk of long-term complications of diabetes.1

1American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes -- 2006. Diabetes Care. Volume 29, Supplement 1, January 2006.

HbA1c

nurse with patient

The HbA1c test (also known as A1c, glycated haemoglobin, or glycosylated haemoglobin) measures your average blood glucose levels over a period of time by taking a sample of a specific component of your red blood cells—haemoglobin A1c molecules.

Some blood glucose naturally attaches itself to these HbA1c molecules as these molecules move through your bloodstream. When this happens, the molecule is considered "glycated." The more glucose in your blood, the more glycated HbA1c molecules you will have.1

The HbA1c test is not a substitute for frequent self-monitoring. It shows the average amount of blood glucose in the body over the last 2–3 months. Frequent highs and lows can result in a healthy-looking HbA1c result. Only self-monitoring can show how meals, physical activity, medications and stress affect your blood glucose levels over short periods of time. This provides more reference as you manage your diabetes.

Most experts and diabetes guidelines recommend an HbA1c test every 3 months. Your healthcare professional will help you schedule HbA1c tests and decide what testing schedule is right for you.

1 American Diabetes Association. A1C test. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/a1c-test.jsp. Accessed October 16, 2008.

 

Back to Top
Accu-Chek ComboThe New Accu-Chek Combo

Imagine Complete Diabetes Management that Fits in the Palm of Your Hand. A state-of-the-art system that partners a “smart” blood glucose meter with a reliable insulin pump to bring you a new level of freedom and flexibility.
 The Accu-Chek Support Kitchen Corner

Hungry to learn more about food and nutrition that’s just right for you? We have loads of great recipes, meal planning options to suit your needs and your everyday eating plan. Ask our “Expert”!

Are you ready to pump?

Adults and children alike are realizing the benefits of insulin pump therapy. Use this interactive tool to discover what pump therapy can do for you.

My Accu-Chek Support

Join My Accu-Chek Support to receive news and updates on Accu-Chek products, diabetes management and events.

This website contains information on products which are targeted to a wide range of audiences and could contain product details or information otherwise not accessible or valid in your country. Please be aware that we do not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any valid legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin. For people with diabetes. Use only as directed. See your healthcare professional for medical advice.