Why should I test my blood sugar at home?
Monitoring your blood sugar is important. A blood sugar test that you conduct at home with a meter tells you how much sugar is in your blood at that moment. Research studies show that improving blood sugar levels benefits patients with diabetes. The blood sugar reading on your meter reading is given in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L), depending on what country you live in.
Using a meter to measure your blood sugar can help you see how food, activity, and medicines affect your blood sugar. Knowing your blood sugar level can help you manage your diabetes day by day. The blood sugar readings tell you when your blood sugar is too low or too high, so you can work with your health care provider to change your treatment plan.
Both testing your blood sugar at home and getting an A1C test are important for someone with diabetes. These tests tell a patient and his or her health care provider whether blood sugar is under control or if a treatment adjustment is necessary.
What is my target blood sugar level?
The American Diabetes Association recommends blood sugar levels before a meal in the range of 70-130 mg/dl or 3.9-7.2 mmol/L. After meals, the ADA recommends blood sugar levels of < 180 mg/dl or 10 mmol/L. An individual's blood sugar goals may be different from these levels. You should check with your healthcare professional for your individual blood sugar goals.
Can anything be done about high blood glucose levels?
Talk to your healthcare provider. Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, are usually the first step towards lowering your blood sugar. Your doctor might add a new medication to your treatment plan or increase your dose of medication. Your healthcare provider may refer you to a certified diabetes educator. The certified diabetes educator (CDE) will create a plan with your input to fit into your lifestyle.