Measurement

Things to check and pack before you travel

  • Carry diabetes ID and a letter from your doctor if you are carrying insulin.
  • Take twice the quantity of medical supplies you would normally use for your diabetes.
  • Flights often cross time zones. If you treat your diabetes with medication or insulin it’s important you check with your diabetes care team. If you need to make any changes to your regimen be mindful that hot or cold climates may affect how your insulin and blood glucose monitor work.
  • Make sure you have the free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you are traveling to a European Union member country – it will ensure that you have easy access to healthcare in that country. Remember it is still advisable to buy travel insurance, as the card doesn’t cover, for example, emergency repatriation.

Packing for your trip:

  • Split your diabetes supplies in separate bags.
  • If flying make sure you have some diabetes supplies in your hand luggage in case your bags get lost.
  • Pack extra snacks in case of delay with your journey
  • Make sure you have all your diabetes medication and equipment packed.
  • If you are carrying syringes and insulin on your flight take a letter from your doctor.

Note: In some countries, blood glucose is measured in milligrams per 100 millilitres (expressed as mg %) and not in millimoles per litre (mmol/l). A blood glucose conversion chart is below.

 

mmol/l

mg %

mmol/l

mg %

1

18

13

234

2

36

14

252

3

54

15

270

4

72

16

288

5

90

17

306

6

108

18

324

7

126

19

343

8

144

20

360

9

162

21

378

10

180

22

396

11

198

23

414

12

216

24

432

How do I measure my blood glucose? Home blood glucose testing tips

  • Make sure your hands are clean before you begin. Use water rather than wet wipes (wet wipes contain glycerine that could alter the result).
  • Prick the side of a finger – avoid the forefinger and thumb – not the middle, or too close to a nail, because this will really hurt.
  • Use a different finger each time and a different part – this will hurt less.
  • If you don’t get much blood, hold your hand down towards the ground. This should make more blood flow to the fingers.
  • Make sure your hands are warm – if they are really cold it’s hard to draw blood, and finger-pricking will hurt more.

How often should I measure?

Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood glucose. Some people check their blood glucose once a day. Others do it three or four times a day. You may check before and after eating, before bed, and sometimes in the middle of the night.