Editing Blood glucose monitoring (section)

{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc}}
{{Short description|Use of a glucose monitor for testing the concentration of glucose in the blood}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{redirect|SMBG|the ICAO code|Bakhuys Airstrip}}
{{Infobox interventions
| Name        = Blood glucose monitoring
| Image       = Blausen 0301 Diabetes GlucoseMonitoring.png
| Caption     = 3D rendering of blood glucose testing
| ICD10       =
| ICD9unlinked =
| MeshID      = D015190
| OPS301      =
| OtherCodes  =
}}

'''Blood glucose monitoring''' is the use of a [[glucose meter]] for testing the concentration of [[glucose]] in the blood ([[Blood sugar level|glycemia]]). Particularly important in [[diabetes management]], a blood glucose test is typically performed by piercing the [[skin]] (typically, via [[fingerstick]]) to draw blood, then applying the blood to a chemically active disposable 'test-strip'. The other main option is [[continuous glucose monitor]]ing (CGM). Different manufacturers use different technology, but most systems measure an electrical characteristic and use this to determine the glucose level in the blood. Skin-prick methods measure capillary blood glucose (i.e., the level found in capillary blood), whereas CGM correlates interstitial fluid glucose level to blood glucose level. Measurements may occur after [[fasting]] or at random nonfasting intervals ([[random glucose test]]s), each of which informs diagnosis or monitoring in different ways.

Healthcare professionals advise patients with [[diabetes mellitus]] on the appropriate monitoring regimen for their condition. Most people with [[type 2 diabetes]] test at least once per day. The [[Mayo Clinic]] generally recommends that diabetics who use insulin (all [[Type 1 diabetes|type 1 diabetics]] and many [[Type 2 diabetes|type 2 diabetics]]) test their blood sugar more often (4–8 times per day for type 1 diabetics, 2 or more times per day for type 2 diabetics),<ref name="Mayo SMBG Guide">{{cite web|title=Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how|url=http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/blood-sugar/art-20046628|website=mayoclinic.org|publisher=Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research|access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref> both to assess the effectiveness of their prior insulin dose and to help determine their next insulin dose.