Are you experiencing an unexplained weight loss? Do you often have blurred vision or feel exhausted? Is there an increase in your thirst & hunger? Did you know that some people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes or prediabetes may not even go through symptoms of these conditions?
If you have the symptoms above, to be sure, you can call your doctor and get an appointment to check if you are diabetic. But if you are reluctant about that, you can go and buy a diabetes test kit, with a glucose meter, and get yourself tested and test result! Also, if you have diabetes, you should be aware that self-checking your blood sugar is essential for your treatment. Knowing how to test yourself leads you to manage your blood glucose levels at any time of the day, wherever you are.
Diabetes Test Kit 101
Symptoms of diabetes depend on how much blood sugar your body produces. Some people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes or prediabetes may not even go through these symptoms Whereas in Type 1 Diabetes those symptoms may appear more quickly and be more serious.
Some of the symptoms that can indicate your prediabetes, Type 1, or Type 2 Diabetes are:
- Small needle (lancet) and a lancet device to grasp the needle
- Blood glucose meter
- Blood test strips
- Portable carrying cases
Here are the steps for blood glucose testing :
- Wash & dry your hands, in order to avoid miscalculations.
- Put the small needle into the lancet device.
- Insert one of your test strips into the meter.
- Sting your fingertip with the needle (lancet).
- Place the drop of blood/s onto the test strip.
- The meter will show your blood glucose levels in a few seconds.
- Don’t forget to check the date on the strips from time to time, to be sure that they are not expired.
Symptoms That Can Lead to Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes depend on how much blood sugar your body produces. Some people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes or prediabetes may not even go through these symptoms Whereas in Type 1 Diabetes those symptoms may appear more quickly and be more serious.
Some of the symptoms that can indicate your prediabetes, Type 1, or Type 2 Diabetes are:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst & hunger
- Slow-healing sores & wounds
- Fatigue & exhaustion
- Frequent infections, such as gums or skin infections & vaginal infections
- Blurred vision
- Irritability & sensitivity
Who is More Likely to Develop Type 2 Diabetes?
Although researches are not certain why some people develop Type 2 Diabetes, several factors increase the risk, such as:
- Being 45 years or older
- Being overweight
- Genetics
- Sharing a family history of diabetes
- Other factors include unhealthy lifestyle choices, physical inactiveness, health problems such as high blood pressure, having prediabetes or gestational diabetes during pregnancy
How Common is Diabetes?
1 in 4 people over the age of 65 are living with diabetes. Among the diabetes cases in adults, 90-95% are diagnosed as Type 2.
Does Eating Healthy Seem Boring?
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way! Because there are a lot of things you can add to your daily meal plan to reach tastier flavors like adding healthy twists to your foods.
Even though sometimes you feel demotivated, do not surrender. Always remind yourself that the path to your best self goes through the food you eat.
Meet TheLifeCo diabetes recovery program: After spending time with our experts on-site, you will inherit a vast knowledge in the specific field of diabetic nutrition.
Which Tests are Often Used to Detect Diabetes?
Complete recovery from diabetes is possible with a few steps you can take. However, for this, you first need to know your level using a diabetes test kit. Testing blood sugar is an important part of a diabetes care plan.
Depending on your current condition, you may need to see a doctor for a diabetes blood test kit several times a year. You may also need to see a doctor for preventive tests, such as cholesterol checks and eye exams.
Although keeping in touch with your doctor is important to master your treatment plan, you can and should test your blood sugar yourself.
Type 2 diabetes test kit and blood glucose monitor kits are the traditional way to check blood sugar levels. You can use test strips to read blood glucose on-site and help you manage your blood glucose range. At this stage, it is important to choose the best diabetes test kit.
What is the Best Blood Testing Kit for Diabetes?
Blood glucose monitors, lancets and test strips for blood collection, in short, a diabetes test kit is required for testing. Sometimes, a diabetes blood test kit provides all three, while other test kits need to be purchased separately for each. Diabetics use many test strips, but you can pick the best diabetes test kit through:
- Choosing one with automatic coding functionality to eliminate the need to write code on the results of each test.
- Checking the insurance plan to see if the insurance company only covers certain screens.
- Checking if the machine has stored previous data.
- Considering portability, as it can be difficult to carry larger devices with you.
- Considering the number of blood samples, especially for people who don’t like to prick themselves.
People who use type 2 diabetes test kit results are abnormally high, need to see a doctor. Those with diabetes who cannot control blood sugar properly or experience sudden changes in blood sugar should also consult a doctor. The doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, medications, or both. A person can control diabetes well by controlling carbohydrate intake and exercising regularly. To reduce the risk of diabetes, you can check Diabetes Recovery Program.
