Blood Glucose Q & A
Q: I need to keep my blood glucose on target. Where do I begin?
A: First, talk with your health care providers to set your blood glucose targets. According to the American Diabetes Association, the before-meal target range is 90 mg/dL to 130 mg/dL. Two hours after the start of a meal, blood glucose should be at or under 180 mg/dL. These may or may not be the right goals for you. If your blood glucose is not within your target range most of the time, work with your health care provider, diabetes educator and/or your pharmacist to review your blood glucose monitoring records. Perhaps a simple change, such as taking a walk a few times a week or eating smaller portions, can help you get closer to your targets. Over time, you will learn more about how to keep your blood glucose levels on track.
Q: Why should I monitor my blood glucose?
A: Checking your blood glucose gives you the information you need to understand how your diabetes treatment plan is working. Check your blood glucose several times per day at specific times, such as before a meal and two hours after. Look at the results over a period of several days or a week. You can see patterns in the times your blood glucose is up or down. You can see how your food, a regular walk, a stressful day or the addition of a new medicine affects your blood glucose.
Q: Is the A1C test important for everyone with diabetes?
A: Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the A1C test is a very important and meaningful test that determines your overall glucose control. A1C shows your average blood glucose for the two to three months prior to the test. It also tells you your risk for long term problems from diabetes. Research has shown that the closer your hemoglobin A1C is to 7 percent or less, the less likely you are to develop problems, such as retinopathy (damage to the retinas in your eyes), nephropathy (kidney disease) and neuropathy (nerve damage).
Remember, A1C testing is not a replacement for regulary monitoring your blood glucose levels. It's helpful to compare the A1C test result with your blood glucose monitoring results. Ask yourself if they make sense. If they don't, you may need to check your blood glucose more often or at different times. Checking your blood glucose at different times can help you answer questions about why your A1C doesn't match your blood glucose readings. If your A1C test result and your blood glucose values are higher or lower than your targets, discuss ways to make changes in your diabetes care with your health care providers.
