Testing the blood glucose level is something that diabetics must due regularly if they are going to monitor their condition and avoid complications. When the blood is tested at home the meter that is used and test strips will allow the diabetic to see the plasma glucose values, which are between ten and fifteen percent higher than the blood glucose values. There are other meters that do test the whole blood glucose values, and will have a different reading than the plasma glucose levels when tested. For this reason it is important for the diabetic to know which type of glucose meter they are using, whether it tests the plasma glucose values or the whole blood glucose levels.

The target rate for the diabetic using a meter that tests the whole blood glucose should be between 80 and 120 prior to eating meals and it will normally be between 100 and 140 in the evening at bedtime.