Managing your blood sugar is the most important thing you can do to feel your best and prevent long-term complications of diabetes. By monitoring your blood sugar and keeping it within your target range, you'll reduce such risks as eye, kidney, blood vessel and nerve damage.

A blood glucose meter is used to test blood glucose at home and determine whether blood glucose levels are in the target range. Testing glucose levels helps put the person with diabetes in control and be more active in managing their condition. Using blood glucose meters to determine the effects of certain foods on blood glucose levels can also help a person with diabetes to choose appropriate foods more carefully.

A person with diabetes should talk with one of our pharmacists about which model of glucose meter is appropriate for them. Anyone using a glucose meter should receive proper training so that they can test their blood glucose levels properly. Questions to ask our pharmacists include: the size of the drop of blood needed, the type of blood glucose strips to use, how to check if the meter is accurate (the meter should be checked at least once a year), how to code the meter, and how to clean the meter.