Type 2 diabetes affects how your body processes glucose, the sugar that comes from your food. If your blood sugar gets too high (hyperglycaemia) or too low (hypoglycaemia), it can cause some immediate symptoms and long-term complications. Monitoring your blood sugar using a glucose blood test NZ-wide at a Life Pharmacy store will help you to understand how foods and activities affect you, identify your unique blood sugar patterns, and prevent dangerous highs and lows from impacting you.
For most people with type 2 diabetes, blood sugar monitoring is a daily practice, so we offer our testing service at Life Pharmacies across the country. That said, it’s most helpful when done at the right times. With that in mind, this post aims to break down the best times to check your blood sugar, what the numbers mean, and how you can use those readings to better manage your diabetes day-to-day.
Getting a Glucose Blood Test NZ-Wide
The most common way to do a glucose blood test is to use a finger-prick device to draw a small drop of blood from the tip of your finger. This drop of blood is then inserted into a glucose blood test reading device, which tells you your levels.
You can visit your local Life Pharmacy store and ask our pharmacists for assistance with a blood glucose test.
Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind for your test:
- We will ask you to drop your hand toward the floor for a few moments to allow blood to gather in your hand before pricking your finger. This makes it easier to get a larger sample without pricking deeper.
- Make sure your hands are clean before testing, especially if you were handling something sweet before testing.
- Try and warm your hands a little so that blood flows easily.
How often should you do a glucose blood test in NZ?
There are a lot of factors that will impact your testing pattern, including:
- If you are newly diagnosed or have had diabetes for a while.
- Whether you adjust your insulin based on your test results.
- If you’re prone to having low blood glucose.
- How comfortable you feel with your diabetes.
The goal is to establish a testing pattern you understand and can adjust based on your experience. You want to know how certain things feel in your body, which hints might indicate you need to test, and what indicates if you need further help managing your blood sugar.
This requires time and practice, just like anything new, so the best way to figure out how often you should be testing is to consult your GP about the specificities of your diagnosis. They can help you establish a testing pattern to start with, then use this pattern to analyse how your blood sugar behaves across the day.
Every time you test, note the results in your logbook so you can keep bringing it along to your GP appointments. This is also a good place to note unusual events, like if you have a hypo episode or something particularly sugary.
Most Common Times to Check Blood Sugar
If you’re building a pattern for your glucose blood test in NZ, your ideal pattern will depend on the factors we covered above. That said, there are some common checkpoints your GP or pharmacist might recommend.
1. Fasting (a.k.a. first thing in the morning).
Checking your blood sugar before you eat or drink anything in the morning gives you a baseline reading. Fasting blood glucose is one of the most important numbers for monitoring your diabetes over time.
If your morning readings are consistently high, it might be a sign of the ‘dawn phenomenon’, which is a natural rise in blood sugar that happens in the early hours following some hormonal changes. This might also indicate that your evening meals or medications need adjusting.
2. Before your meals (a.k.a. preprandial).
Testing right before meals can help you determine how much the food you’re about to eat affects your blood sugar. This is especially helpful if you’re adjusting your diet or managing your diabetes through lifestyle changes alone.
3. 1-2 hours after your meals (a.k.a. postprandial).
Checking your blood sugar one to two hours after eating is a great way to measure how your body responds to certain foods (particularly carbs). If your post-meal readings are regularly high, it may be time to tweak what or how much you’re eating, or to talk with your healthcare team about medication.
4. Before bed.
Testing closer to bedtime can be useful, especially if you take insulin or other medications that could cause your blood sugar to drop overnight.
5. When you’re feeling “off”.
Sometimes your body will tell you it’s time to test. Symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, irritability, or shakiness can signal that your blood sugar is too high or too low. Don’t ignore these signs. Test, record, and contact your healthcare provider if you need external help managing your blood sugar levels.
At the end of the day, the goal of building a pattern with glucose blood tests in NZ is to understand your body’s unique response to food, exercise, hormones, and medication. By consistently building this pattern and testing, you can gain insight and maintain control of your health.
Whether you’re new to diabetes or have been living with it for years, taking the time to check your blood sugar at the right moments can empower you to live well and thrive. And if this new necessity is a bit scary, or you’re unsure how to proceed, the team at Life Pharmacy is here to help.
Book a glucose blood test at NZ’s most trusted pharmacy.
Our team of qualified pharmacists is on hand to help you test your blood sugar. Book your test with your closest Life Pharmacy branch today.
