How blood sugar monitors work?
Blood glucose meters are very common among diabetes patients for managing the diabetes at home. This article explains how the self-monitoring glucose monitors work and what factors can affect the results.
The most common types of blood sugar monitoring devices uses a digital meter with a test strip. The strip contains some special chemicals as well as some tiny electrodes within it.
A sample of the blood to be tested is applied on the tip of the strip. Through capillary action, the blood is absorbed in to the strip and gets in contact with the chemicals. When comes in to contact with the blood, the chemicals produce a small electric current in the electrodes. The current produced depends on the glucose concentration in the blood. This electric current is monitored by the digital blood sugar meter and it displays the glucose level based on the produced current.
Some blood sugar monitors are smart and they can store and retrieve the results. This will allow you to view your past blood sugar levels as well as track your diabetes over a period of time.
The blood sugar meter is a very sensitive device. Several factors can affect the readings including the age of the strip, calibration of your meter, how and where you got the blood sample etc. Your glucose reading may be significantly different during each test depending on the factors influencing the reading.