Glucose is a type of sugar that is found in your blood. Blood sugar (glucose) testing is a big part of caring for your diabetes. A blood sugar test tells you how much sugar is in your blood at any point in time. Many things affect your blood sugar levels each day. Testing will let you know if your meal plan, medication and exercise are working to keep your blood sugar in good control.
Who Should Test Their Own Blood Sugar?
A test you do yourself is called a self-test. The American Diabetes Association recommends that anyone with diabetes do blood sugar self-tests. Diabetes changes the way your body controls blood sugar levels. Testing helps you keep your blood sugar as close to normal as you can.
How Can Blood Sugar Self-Testing Help Me?
You and your health care team have set up a plan to help you control your blood sugar. One of the best ways to be sure your plan is working is to test your blood sugar yourself. Research shows that good control of blood sugar can lower your risk of eye disease, kidney disease and nerve damage that can develop due to diabetes. Self-testing lets you learn how diabetes makes your body react to daily events. You can answer questions like, "what happens to my blood sugar during times of stress or when I am sick?" or "what happens to my blood sugar when I exercise?" Self-testing can help you decide how to take better care of yourself.
How Often Should I Test My Blood Sugar?
The more you test, the more you will know about your blood sugar control. Many things affect your blood sugar each day, like eating, exercise, medications, illness and stress. So, it is important to test your blood sugar at different time of the day. Research studies tell us that testing blood sugar daily, up to 4 times a day or more, is a good way to learn how to better control your blood sugar. Good control of blood sugar will help you lower your risk of future problems with diabetes. Self-testing gives you the information you need to avoid too many high or low blood sugar levels day to day. Your health care team will help you decide how often to test.
When Should I Test My Blood Sugar?
Your health care team will also help you decide when to test. Testing at different times is a good idea. Here are some useful times to choose from:
Before breakfast - this is called the fasting blood sugar. Fasting means you have not had any food in 8 hours or more.
1 - 2 hours after breakfast - this is called the postprandial blood sugar.
Before lunch.
1-2 hours after lunch.
Before Supper.
Before bedtime
At 2:00 or 3:00 a.m.,
if you take insulin.
It is good idea to do extra tests when:
There are changes in your treatment plan.
You start a new medication for diabetes.
You think your blood sugar might be too low or high
You are sick.
How Do I Make Sense Of Different Blood Sugar Levels At Different Times?
Blood sugar levels 1-2 hours after eating are called postprandial. Research shows that blood sugar levels in people with diabetes can more than double after eating, even when their blood sugar before eating is normal. It is helpful to talk about your fasting and postprandial sugar goals with your health care team.
Blood Sugar Testing Goals
My fasting goal is:_____________
My postprandial goal is:_____________
My bedtime goal is:_____________
Do I really Need To Keep Records?
Yes, keep a written record (logbook) of your blood sugar readings. Also, write down the date, time, and whether the self-test was done before or after eating. Other information about diet, exercise, medication, or how you are feeling is useful. Always bring your record book when you visit your health care team. Together, you can look for patterns in your blood sugar readings. The patterns will help you decide whether you need to adjust your plan.
What Can I Do To Improve My Self-testing?
Follow the directions that come with the meter you are using. Talk to your health care team about your meter and the way to do the test. These tips will help you get the most correct results.
Keep you meter clean.
Keep your testing supplies at room temperature.
Check the expiration date of your testing supplies.
Wash your hands in warm, soapy water. Dry them well.
Put your hand down to let gravity help the blood flow to your fingertips.
Prick the side of your finger with a fresh lancet in a lancing device.
Get enough of a blood drop to apply to the test strip or test sensor.
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NOTICE: The medical information and the links on this website are maintained voluntarily for the benefit of those with an interest in diabetes. I am not a medical professional. The information here reflects my personal experiences. Where appropriate, consult your physician before changing your diabetic treatment plan.
If you have any questions about the content on this site, please contact the web site owner at: timdarlene@cableone.net
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