Managing diabetes can seem overwhelming, but understanding your blood glucose levels makes it much easier. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to follow and even easier to stick with.
Why Testing is needed
Testing your own blood sugar is a key part of managing diabetes and it’ll become part of your everyday routine. Here’s why it’s important:
- It helps you keep your diabetes under control to avoid future health problems.
- It shows how well your medication is (or isn’t) working.
- It helps you avoid blood sugar that’s too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia).
- It tells you how your diet, exercise, stress, travel, illness, and for women, menstrual cycles or menopause, affect your blood sugar.
Blood Glucose Levels
Blood glucose is measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Your doctor will tell you what readings to expect, but below are some guidelines and what they mean:
When You Wake Up (Before You Eat)
- Too Low: Under 4 mmol/L (Under 72 mg/dL)
- Healthy Target: 4-7 mmol/L (72-126 mg/dL)
- High: Over 7 mmol/L (Over 126 mg/dL)
Before Meals at Other Times of the Day
- Too Low: Under 4 mmol/L (Under 72 mg/dL)
- Healthy Target: 4-7 mmol/L (72-126 mg/dL)
- High: Over 7 mmol/L (Over 126 mg/dL)
Apart from daily testing at home, your doctor will do another test called an HbA1c blood test at least once a year to check your average blood sugar levels over the past three months. A reading of 7% is ideal; a higher HbA1c means too much sugar in your blood, increasing the risk of serious complications.
How Often Should You Test?
Regardless of how many times you test a day, keep a record of every reading. You can choose to do it in a book or your phone, or even an app. Follow your doctor’s advice on how often to test, but here are some general tips:
For Type 2 diabetes:
- If you’re on tablets: once a day.
- If you’re on long-acting insulin: before breakfast and dinner.
- If you’re on long- and short-acting insulin: before meals, once a day two hours after a meal, and whenever you feel unwell.
For Type 1 diabetes:
- Before meals, bedtime, and exercise.
- When you’re sick or change medication.
- When you feel unwell.
Wrapping It Up
Keeping track of your glucose doesn’t have to be a hassle. With regular testing and a bit of know-how, you’ll be managing your diabetes like a pro. Remember: stay informed, stay healthy, and keep those blood sugar levels in check!
References
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371451
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/blood-sugar/art-20046628#
Link to https://shalina.com/en-za/whats-the-deal-with-diabetes/
