Keeping Track of Your Blood Sugars
Although type 1 and type 2 diabetes are sometimes treated by different methods and medications, the main goal is the same: to control your body’s blood sugar and keep it at healthy levels. When your blood sugar is under control, you’ll be more healthy and have more energy. You’ll also reduce the risk of serious health problems.
The first step to control is testing your blood sugar on a regular basis to determine if it is within the healthy range. Blood sugar is determined by measuring the number of milligrams of glucose per deciliter of your blood, abbreviated as mg/dL. For most people with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) considers a healthy range for blood sugar to be between 80 and 120 mg/dL before meals and between 100 and 140 mg/dL at bedtime.
80-120 mg/dL Before meals
100-140 mg/dL At bedtime
HbA1c Less than 7%
Make sure your diabetes care team helps you acquire and use a blood glucose monitor to test your blood sugar. These blood sugar tests should then become a routine part of your daily life. Don’t get discouraged if your blood sugar doesn’t always fall in the healthy range. It may take time for your body to adjust to the changes you’re making. Just keep working toward wellness.
Another key to the long-term control of your blood sugar is getting what is called a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test at least twice a year. Here’s how it works: Sugar in your bloodstream attaches to red blood cells. The greater the amount of sugar in your blood and the longer the sugar level remains high, the more sugar attaches to the red blood cells. The HbA1c test measures this amount of sugar and gives you an overall "snapshot" of how well you’ve been controlling your blood sugar for the past three months. For most people with diabetes, the ADA recommends an HbA1c of less than 7%. You will need to have this blood test performed at your doctor’s office. Your individual treatment goals for blood glucose and HbA1c should be determined by your health care professional.
Always remember, your short-term goal should be to keep your blood sugar within a healthy range on a daily basis. This will, in turn, help you keep your HbA1c level where it needs to be – reducing the risk of serious health problems.