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ask the pharmacist
|  |  | by Mona Fanous
R.Ph., B.Sc.Phm.
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Blood glucose and monitors
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The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) in recent guidelines suggests that all people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes should self-monitor blood glucose levels. The CDA also recommends self-monitoring for most people with type 2 diabetes using medications or managing it through diet and exercise.
A blood glucose monitor is used at home to determine whether blood glucose levels are in your target range. Testing glucose levels helps you be more active in managing your condition.
Choosing a monitor
This is very personal and it is best to talk with your pharmacist or diabetes educator on what to look for, and what’s appropriate for your needs. Some are easier to use and over the last few years, a lot of improvements have been made. Monitors can now even measure blood glucose from alternate sites besides your finger.
Similar in performance but different in terms of: size and shape; the length of time to get results; the amount of blood needed; cleaning requirements; data management features. Factors to consider:
• Ease of operation: many have simple two step procedures
• Easy to handle: a strip big enough to handle and insert into the monitor
• A clear data display: important for people with poor eyesight. Or with a voice activator to permit testing without actually seeing the monitor
• Optional language displays: if English is not your first language.
| • Data management and computer capabil-ity features: some monitors store the last reading, others contain enough memory for several hundred test results. Some link results with specific events such as meals, exercise and illness. Newer models have a data port to hook into a computer to graph and analyze stored readings at home or at your doctor’s office.
A variety of Blood Glucose Monitors can be purchased at your pharmacy.
Lowering targets
Lower blood glucose targets means with daily monitoring, pre-meal blood glucose targets are 4 to 7 mmol/L, and post-meal targets are less than 10.
Achieving even small reductions in A1C is well worth the effort. Each 1.0% reduction in A1C was associated with a 37% decline in the risk of small blood vessel complications, a 14% lower rate of heart attack, and fewer deaths from diabetes, a large United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes study of individuals with type 2 diabetes found. Another study, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial of individuals with type 1 diabetes found that a 10% reduction in A1C (e.g. from 8.0 to 7.2%) was associated with a 40% to 50% lower risk of retinopathy, an eye disease that can cause decreased vision and blindness progression.
Better control translates into reduction of complications. Monitoring your blood glucose tells you how your diabetes management is progressing. Know your numbers and live healthy with diabetes.
H&L
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