Get Facts on Testing for Diabtes

 There are additional tests to the initial tests that will be taken when you are first diagnosed with diabetes  there will be more that are administered at different times and intervals to make sure you  are staying healthy.  Some of these tests you will do your self at home daily while others  will be done during annual or semi-annual trips check-ups at with your doctor.

The test you are going to perform more often will be testing your blood sugar level.  This  is done at home using a glucose monitor.  Depending on how new the disease is to you  and how well controlled your blood sugars are you may be testing once per day up to  seven times per day.  If you are testing first thing in the morning only, it is a good idea to  test seven times a day at least once per week to monitor your blood sugar levels before  and after each meal and before going to bed.

Testing for ketones in your urine isalso  another daily test that you will do at home.  This is  done once per day in the morning after fasting through the night.  The presence of  ketones in your urine can signify that you are not eating enough food or that you body is  not processing it properly.  A second test should be done in the evening if you find  ketones in the morning.  If they are still present at the second test, a call into the doctor is  warranted to prevent the onset of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Your doctor will order a blood test called a Hemoglobin A1C at least once per year.  This  test looks at the average blood sugars that have been in your system for the previous three  months.  It will give a good overall picture on how well you are managing your diabetes.

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