| Diet, exercise, medication, and stress management
are the keys to achieving normal blood glucose levels. People who
keep their blood glucose levels within their target range report
that they are more active and feel healthier and more in control
of their lives.
Testing your blood glucose level gives you the information you
need to effectively manage your diabetes. Without regular testing,
you will not know how well your diet, exercise, and medication programs
are working or when to make changes.
Don’t rely on how you feel. A person with higher
than normal blood glucose may feel fine but is at much higher risk
for serious health complications if glucose levels remain uncontrolled
for long periods.
When To Test
How often you check your blood glucose depends on a number of factors:
- Your type of diabetes.
- The type, amount, and frequency of your medication.
- How much your blood glucose changes during the day.
- What you intend to do with or learn from the result.
Increased testing is recommended when you:
- Are ill or under stress.
- Make major changes in your medication, eating, sleeping, exercise
routines.
See your doctor or diabetes educator to plan the right schedule
for you.
Type 1 Diabetes
Test your blood glucose at least before each meal, and at bedtime.
Also test periodically at 3 A.M. and two hours after meals. Before
and between meal tests reflect the action of background (basal)
insulin. After meal tests reveal the match between food and rapid-acting
insulin such as lispro and aspart.
The right amount of testing for you depends on your goals and
how you will use the results. Blood test results have more power
to improve glucose control if you know how to use them right away.
For example, you may use the value to help set an insulin dose or
make a decision about driving or exercising.
Also test before driving and at other times when your glucose
level is critical to safety. Your goal is to achieve a blood glucose
level near normal. Keep records of test results.
Type 2 Diabetes
- Test whenever you can use the information.
- Test before each meal and before bedtime to determine the action
of background insulin.
- Test after each meal to determine the balance between food
and available insulin. This is equally important when you use
injected insulin or you body’s own insulin.
- Learn what to do about high or low values. Options include
changing food choices, exercising, etc.
- Keep a record of your readings. Review patterns occasionally
and share with your health care provider.
- An after-meal elevated glucose level is highly associated with
heart disease risk.
Learn more about other times that are helpful
to test.
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