Testing your blood at home is quick and easy, although it can be uncomfortable. It does get better.

You would have been given:

• a blood glucose metre
• small needles called lancets
• a plastic pen to hold the lancets
• small test strips

Try to check your blood:

• before meals
• 2 to 3 hours after meals
• before, during (take a break) and after exercise

This helps you understand your blood glucose levels and how they’re affected by meals and exercise. It should help you have more stable blood glucose levels.