Glucose monitoring is the self-testing of glucose (blood sugar) levels for the management of diabetes. It usually involves placing a blood sample on a chemically coated test strip. The test strip is then placed in a glucose meter. The meter reads the sample and digitally displays the blood glucose level as a number.

Visually read blood and urine strips and home glycohemoglobin tests can also be used, but the glucose meter is considered the most accurate home method for measuring day-to-day glucose control.

People with diabetes should work to keep their glucose levels as close as possible to their physician-recommended target range. Maintaining healthy glucose levels can prevent hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia and can prevent or delay the onset of short-term and long-term diabetic complications.

Patients can manage their diabetes with methods that may include diet, exercise, insulin and anti-diabetic agents, as prescribed by their physician. Some patients, such as those who take insulin, must perform glucose monitoring several times a day, but for some others this is needed only occasionally. A physician can recommend a testing schedule including how often to test and at what times of the day.

Many factors can affect glucose levels including food, exercise, stress, medication and illness. Glucose monitoring is an effective way to spot changes in blood glucose levels and identify what is causing them. Patients should record their results in a log book and review them with their physician. The physician can then decide if changes are needed in the diabetes management plan.

There have been many recent innovations in checking glucose, including continuous glucose monitoring, which can now incorporate an insulin pump. Scientists are developing additional improvements using cellphones, implanted microchips and other technology.