Diabetes Tips

Traveling with Diabetes

Blood Sugar Testing 

Your meter and supplies

• Keep your meter clean
• Keep testing strips at room temperature (do not store in bathroom or kitchen)
• Use only test strips that match your meter
• Check expiration dates of testing supplies
• Wash and dry hands well before each testing
• Record your reading in a logbook or tablet. Also record the date and time of reading, along with any factors that may affect reading (such as: birthday cake, illness, stress).
• Take blood sugar results and meter to your doctor's appointment and to the hospital, if admitted.
• Call your doctor if your blood sugar is Less than or Greater than the level recommended by your doctor.
• Test your blood sugar if you are not feeling well. 

What does my blood sugar level tell me?

• Readings less than 70 can indicate hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
• Readings above 240 can indicate hyperglycemia or high blood sugar.
• Levels may be elevated due to eating more food than usually, decrease in physical activity, illness, stress and medications.
• Levels may be low due to skipping meals, increase in activity and medications.

When glucose patterns over several days are increasing and decreasing:

• Test more often
• Report glucose reading to your doctor 

When blood glucose is less than 70 or greater than 240:

• Test more often
• Call your doctor if glucose is less than 70 or greater than 240 for two readings in sequence.