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Testing
General Questions
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How do I obtain a drop of blood?
Thoroughly wash and dry your hands, and then massage a finger to encourage blood flow. Avoid using your index finger or thumb, since you use these digits most frequently. Prick the side of the finger with a lancing device. Press gently to encourage a small drop of blood to form.
Close - How often should I test my blood sugar?
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Is it correct to discard the first drop of blood?
No. In contrast to former recommendations, it is not necessary to discard the first drop of blood and use only the second one for glucose monitoring. There is no significant difference in blood glucose values measured with the first and the second drop. However, any contamination of the fingertip with dirt or liquids (sweat, fruit juice etc.) may affect glucose readings. Clean and dry fingertips are key when measuring best glucose.
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May I squeeze the fingertip to get more blood?
Yes. Blood should be sampled by gently squeezing the fingertip (the tissue is pressed together, and blood is forced out of the incision), since it minimises lancing pain (shallower penetration) and reduces the risk of scarring and residual.
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What are ketones and why should I test for them?
Ketones are the waste products produced when your body breaks down fatty acids for energy. Toxic ketone levels can build up and spill into urine. This is a sign that your diabetes is not well controlled—perhaps because of tiredness and fatigue—and you will feel increasingly unwell.
If left untreated, ketone build-up can lead to coma and even be life threatening. Contact your healthcare professional if you detect a build-up of ketones in your urine.
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What can I do to avoid obtaining too little blood?
- Run warm water over your hands before testing to increase blood flow. Be sure to dry your hands completely before testing.
- Improve blood flow to the fingers by warming them.
- Lower hands to below your waist level and gently massage the selected finger before lancing.
- Press the lancing device firmly against your finger.
- After lancing, massage your finger toward the tip.
- Only if all of the above is insufficient, increase the penetration depth of the lancing device by rotating the depth selection dial one step at a time.
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What's the difference between HbA1c and blood sugar?
Blood sugar, or glucose, is a simple sugar obtained when your body breaks down carbohydrates in food. When you test your blood with a blood glucose meter, the result is an reflection of current blood sugar levels.
The HbA1c test, or A1C, shows blood glucose levels over a longer period. It shows the control a patient has had over a number of weeks or months.
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Meter Maintenance
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How do I clean my blood glucose meter? How often should I clean it?
Clean your meter whenever it looks dirty and whenever you open a new pack of test strips—at least once every 2 months. We recommend regular cleaning of the test strip guide and the measurement optics area of all Accu-Chek meters. In the professional market sector regular cleaning is even more important so as to minimise the risk of cross-contamination. To get more detailed instructions on cleaning your Accu-Chek meter, please review the corresponding Owner’s Booklets.
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Is cleaning required for all Accu-Chek meters?
We recommend regular cleaning of the test strip guide and the measurement optics area of all Accu-Chek meters. In the professional market sector regular cleaning is even more important so as to minimise the risk of cross-contamination. To get more detailed instructions on cleaning your Accu-Chek meter, please review the corresponding Owner’s Booklets.
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What is a quality control check? When and how should I do them?
You should carry out a quality control test:
- When you open a new pack of test strips
- After you have replaced the batteries
- If your meter flashes “CTRL,” indicating that a quality control test is required
- After you have cleaned your meter
- If your blood test does not agree with how you feel
Storage
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How should I store my blood glucose meter?
Ensure that your meter is kept at temperatures between -40°C and 70°C to avoid damage. Relative humidity must be below 85%, and avoid storing your meter near electromagnetic fields (near mobile phones, microwave ovens, etc.).
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How should I store my strips?
Test strips should be kept out of very cold or hot conditions. The test strip container should be kept closed at all times since it contains a drying agent that will not work if exposed to the air.
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Diabetes and Ramadan
Ramadan Karim! Register now and download the Accu-Chek Ramadan special leaflet to better help you manage your diabetes during the holy month. The leaflet is available in both English and Arabic for a limited amount of time.
Accu-Chek Club
Join the Accu-Chek Club to receive news and updates on Accu-Chek products, diabetes management and events.
Accu-Chek Smart Pix
The Accu-Chek Smart Pix is a plug-and-play device which can be used to analyse blood glucose levels and therapy data from your Accu-Chek meter. The analyses are displayed on a computer in the form of various, specifiable reports.
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©2010, Roche LTD. All Rights Reserved. Last Updated: 17.12.2009