Understanding Your Numbers: A Guide to Blood Glucose Monitoring 9th-15th June 2025

Jun 09, 2025 Diabetes Mellitus

 

Each year, Diabetes Week serves as an important reminder of the challenges and realities faced by millions of people living with diabetes. Organised by Diabetes UK, this campaign is more than just a health awareness week. It is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience of the diabetes community, increase understanding, and support positive change. From the 9th to the 15th of June 2025, the focus is firmly on helping people understand their numbers. This includes blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and other information that plays an important role in managing diabetes effectively.

Monitoring blood glucose is one of the most effective ways to manage diabetes and avoid complications, but it can be confusing without the right knowledge. In this post, we explain how blood glucose monitoring works, how to interpret your results, and how Simply Meds Online can support you with trusted tools for daily diabetes care.

 

Importance of Monitoring Blood Glucose

If you have diabetes, regularly checking your blood sugar is essential for maintaining your health. Blood glucose levels can change throughout the day depending on several factors. These include what you eat, how active you are, which medications you take, and even your stress levels.

 

Why is Regular Monitoring Important?

• Prevents complications
  Keeping blood sugar levels in the target range helps protect against long-term health issues like nerve damage, kidney disease, heart conditions, and vision loss.

• Guides your treatment plan
  Testing regularly helps you and your healthcare team make informed decisions about medication, diet, and exercise.

• Reveals patterns and triggers
  Tracking your results can help you notice how certain foods or activities affect your blood sugar.

• Increases confidence
  Understanding your numbers allows you to feel more in control of your diabetes and less anxious about unexpected changes.
   

Your GP or diabetes nurse will help set personal targets for your blood glucose levels. However, general guidance for many people with diabetes suggests the following:

• Before meals: 4.0 to 7.0 mmol/L
• Two hours after meals: less than 8.5 to 9.0 mmol/L

It is important to check with your diabetic team to know the best range for you.

 

How to Use Monitoring Devices

Testing your blood glucose monitoring from home is easy when you have the right equipment and understand how to use it effectively. Every monitor is slightly different. Read the instructions that came with yours to understand the best way to use it.

These are general guidelines that apply to the majority of glucose monitors.

1. Wash, using soap, and then dry your hands thoroughly. This helps to avoid contamination, which can affect readings.
2. Place a suitable test strip into your blood glucose meter (only use the test strips that are meant for your particular monitor).
3. You can easily “prick” your finger with a lancet. Using a clean needle, prick your fingertip (on the side). Never use someone else’s lancet.
4. Gently squeezing your finger will result in a drop of blood appearing. Wipe away the first drop, squeeze again and use that drop to test your blood glucose.
5. Touch the blood to the inserted test strip and wait for the result. Your result will appear on the screen.
6. If you get an error message, start the process again with a new test strip and ensure you add enough blood to the strip.
7. Most devices store your readings for you. You might want to keep a separate record in an app on your phone or on paper/in a logbook.
    

Keeping track of your readings can help you and your healthcare team spot trends and make effective decisions. Many people test before and after meals, at bedtime, and occasionally overnight.

There are many glucose monitoring options available, and this can be overwhelming. One of our most popular products is the GlucoRx Nexus Blood Glucose Monitoring System. This is easy to use, quick, and affordable.

You can also explore more monitoring tools and supplies in our full GlucoRx product range.

 

Interpreting Your Readings

Testing your blood glucose gives you important information, but only if you know what those numbers mean.

Typical categories for blood sugar levels:

• Normal range: 4.0 to 7.0 mmol/L before meals and less than 9.0 mmol/L two hours after eating.
• Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar): Above target range. May lead to tiredness, frequent urination, and long-term health issues.
• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar): Below 4.0 mmol/L. May cause symptoms like dizziness, sweating, shakiness, and confusion.
   

What Influences Your Blood Glucose Readings?

Everyone’s triggers are different, however, common factors that influence blood glucose include:

• Food: Carbohydrates raise blood sugar, especially refined sugars and processed foods.

• Physical activity: Can help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.

• Medication: Some tablets and insulin treatments significantly affect glucose levels.

• Stress or illness: Being poorly can cause blood sugar levels to rise. If you vomit/are unable to keep food down or stay hydrated, this can cause blood glucose to drop.

• Time of day: Your levels may vary between morning, post-meal, and bedtime readings.
   

By reviewing your results over time, you can see what helps keep your blood sugar stable. If your readings are often too high or too low, speak with your GP or diabetes nurse for support. They may need to review your treatment plan.

 

Recommended Devices from SimplyMedsOnline

Choosing high-quality tools can make all the difference in managing diabetes successfully. At Simply Meds Online, we offer a selection of trusted products to help you keep track of your health.

 

GlucoRx Nexus Blood Glucose Monitoring System

The GlucoRx Nexus is a popular blood glucose meter that combines accuracy, convenience, and ease of use. It requires a small blood sample and gives fast results, making it ideal for daily use. The clear display, easy navigation, and storage of up to 1000 readings make it user-friendly for people of all ages. This meter is suitable for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and offers an affordable testing option while maintaining the accuracy and quality you need.

 

GlucoRx Products

Our full GlucoRx range includes everything from test strips and lancets to control solutions and lancing devices. GlucoRx is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of diabetes products and is frequently used within the NHS. The brand is known for offering reliable equipment at cost-effective prices. Whether you are new to blood glucose monitoring or replacing existing supplies, GlucoRx has everything you need to stay on top of your condition. 

 

Test Strip Ranges

At Simply Meds Online, we stock a wide range of test strips to suit various blood glucose meters, including the GlucoRx Nexus. These strips are designed for precision and reliability, ensuring accurate readings every time. Proper storage and handling of strips are essential to maintain performance. They should be kept sealed and dry, away from heat or moisture. It is also important to match the correct test strip to your device, as compatibility ensures you get dependable results. Our convenient online ordering system makes it easy to restock your supplies so you never run out when you need them most.

 

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Diabetic Health

Living with diabetes requires a balance of knowledge, routine, and support. Monitoring your blood glucose regularly gives you insight into how your body reacts to everyday choices, from meals to medication. Understanding your numbers allows you to take action, manage your condition, and prevent future complications.

This Diabetes Week, take time to take another look at your monitoring habits. Are you testing as often as your doctor recommends? Do you feel confident using your meter and interpreting results? Do you have the supplies you need?

At Simply Meds Online, we are here to support your journey with a wide selection of tools, including blood glucose monitors, test strips, and accessories. Explore our products, restock your essentials, and stay informed so you can take control of your health.