How to Use Monitoring Information
Why keep track of my blood sugar?
You have seen that testing your blood sugar is important. It can help
tell you how well your treatment plan is working. The blood testing
results can help you make choices about your meal plan, exercise and
medications.
When should I test my blood sugar?
It is much easier to see your blood sugar patterns if you test on a regular
schedule. People check their blood sugar on different schedules at
different times. Some schedules are:
- each morning before breakfast (fasting)
This is a good schedule when your blood sugar has been very stable and in
range. You can change to a more frequent schedule if you see some
unexpected high or low readings. Download log book pages for a once a day
fasting schedule (pdf)
or (doc).
- twice a day, three days a week
Another good schedule when your results have been stable. With this
schedule you should test three days each week and check your blood sugar fasting
(before breakfast) and about two hours after eating a normal meal. Download
log book pages for a twice a day schedule (pdf)
or (doc).
- three times a day
A slight adjustment on the schedule. You can do a
- fasting, two hours after a meal and bedtime (pdf)
(doc)
- fasting then before a meal and two hours after same meal (pdf)
(doc)
- fasting then before and after exercise (pdf)
(doc)
- four times a day
A good schedule if you have had recent change in medications, or to do the
week before a visit to the doctor. You could have routinely done just a
fasting but want to get more frequent readings just before a doctor
appointment. (pdf)
(doc)
- completely random (pdf)
(doc)
Are there special times when I should check my blood sugar?
Sure, extra tests can be helpful. You should feel free to check your
sugar any time you 'just want to know'. Some times that it can be
important to do extra testing are:
- sick days, when you are ill
- after exercise or activity that you don't normally do
- if you feel or think your blood sugar may be "too high" or "too low"
- when you feel stressed
- after an unusual meal
What should my blood sugar be?
It is good to understand the relationship of three different blood sugar
ranges: (1) the normal or ideal range, (2) the acceptable or target range and
(3) your personal goal range.
| Time |
Normal range |
Target range |
Personal goal |
| Fasting |
< 110 |
80 - 120 |
|
| Before meals |
< 110 |
80 - 120 |
|
| After meals |
110 - 140 |
120 - 180 |
|
| Bedtime |
< 110 |
80 - 140 |
|
| Random |
< 140 |
80 - 180 |
|
| After exercise |
100 - 120 |
80 - 140 |
|
The fasting test tells what your blood sugar is before breakfast. Most
people find it easier to keep their blood sugar levels on target if they start
the day with a lower fasting level. The other levels take in account the
effect of food. Blood sugar levels should be highest soon after eating and
should be coming down about 2 hours after eating.
You need to talk to your doctor and use the normal and target ranges and
decide what your personal goal ranges are.
What should I do if my blood sugar levels are not in my goal range?
If your test results are not in the goal range, think about what might be
causing the problem, such as
- more (or less) food, activity or medicine
- illness
- stress
Your log book entries can help you discover any changes. Don't get
discouraged or dwell on what went wrong. Use the information and choose
what you will do different tomorrow.
Are there other tests that monitor my diabetes?
Your self testing will show your blood sugar at that moment. A
different test can show your average blood sugar over the previous three months.
This is the A1c test (also known as HgBA1c or hemoglobin A1c). The A1c
test is done on blood drawn at the doctor office. The goal is to have the
A1c as close to normal as you can, normal is 6.5 % or less.
How can I follow a monitoring plan more faithfully?
It is hard to add something new to your schedule. It will help if you:
- plan the times you will test
- keep your testing supplies all together
- keep your log book with the supplies
Find a way to remind yourself to test. You may need a note in the
bathroom, or keep your supplies on the kitchen table.
A single word, if spoken in a friendly spirit, may be sufficient to turn someone from dangerous error.
Fanny Crosby
A note about insurance.
Most health insurance will cover the cost of testing supplies. But,
they may have rules that say they only cover one test a day, and there will be
many times that you will need to test more often. At those times you will
need to buy extra test strips and supplies. Remember that the testing is
for you and to help you be as healthy as you can be.