Basics of home glucose monitoring.

Statistics from the American Diabetes Association reflect that 20.8 million children and adults — 7% of the population in the United States — have diabetes. Of these, 14.6 million have been diagnosed, while the remaining 6.2 million are not aware that they suffer from the disease. The disease is one in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches, and other foods into energy. The major types of diabetes include type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and pre-diabetes.1 Landmark studies have demonstrated that tight management and control of blood glucose is a critical component of diabetes management and can significantly reduce the longterm complications of the disease. 2 Today, many diabetes patients monitor their blood-glucose levels at home, work, or school with a variety of blood-glucose meters. The convenience of checking blood-sugar levels aids patients in knowing whether or not they are taking the appropriate amount of diabetes medication at the appropriate time. It allows them to monitor the effects of meals on their blood-glucose levels. And it helps patients manage their exercise and/or activity levels and track how those affect their blood-glucose levels.3 Even people without diabetes who own diabetic pets have become cognizant of blood-glucose testing; entire websites are devoted to the dedicated owner of a diabetic pet.4