How can I check for diabetes from home?

Are you constantly tired? Do you feel thirsty all the time? Are you also wanting to urinate more often?

Then you may need to test your blood glucose levels as there is a chance that these symptoms could indicate Diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition caused by your blood sugar levels being too high, which can happen when your body is not producing any insulin at all (type 1 diabetes) or your body is producing insulin but not enough, or the insulin is not working effectively (type 2 diabetes). 

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause several different complications, so it is essential to check whether you have Diabetes or not as soon as symptoms start to appear.

You can now check your blood glucose levels from the comfort of your own home with the Test2Go blood glucose test. 

How can I check for Diabetes from home?

If you want to check for higher or lower than normal blood glucose levels, which can be an indicator of Diabetes, then at-home testing can help identify this conveniently and quickly. 

Test2Go’s Blood Glucose test can help identify if your blood sugar is within the normal range in the comfort of your own home.

When should you check your blood sugar levels?

Diabetes can lead to significant health problems – from poor circulation and vision loss to kidney failure and strokes. This is why you must be diagnosed as early as possible to begin treatment sooner rather than later. 

The Test2Go Blood Glucose test is not a substitute for regular medical check-ups with your doctor. You should always speak to your doctor first before making important medical decisions. 

The blood glucose test should be performed on an empty stomach, meaning you should not have eaten or drunk anything for a period of 12 hours before performing the test. 

The test is based on an enzymatic (oxidase/peroxidase) reaction. Special dyes are activated, producing a colour change in proportion to the glucose content of the blood tested. 

What are some common indicators of Diabetes?

Some common indicators of Diabetes include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Dry eyes or blurred vision
• Dry mouth or tongue
• Feeling hungry (despite eating your recommended calorie intake each day)
• Itchy skin
• Pain or numbness in the hands (type 2 diabetes)
• Persistent thirst
• Unexpected weight loss (type 1 diabetes)

The most reliable way to check your blood glucose levels at home is with an at-home blood test. 

Test2Go’s Blood Glucose test can help identify whether your blood glucose levels are normal or not, all with a single finger prick.

The units used in the UK for blood glucose is mmol/L.

The average blood sugar range for adults and children above the age of 7 is between 3.9mmol/L and 6.1mmol/L.

If your test result is below 3.9mmol?L or above 6.1mmpl/L, your blood sugar level is outside the normal range. You should then repeat the same test on a different day. If your reading is outside the average level again, contact your doctor to discuss this with them.