In the early days of flying, pilots rarely flew at night because they could not see how high or low they were flying. Today, most planes have modern instruments that allow them to be flown safely after dark. When you have diabetes, you need to keep your diabetes on course and, like a pilot, you need the right information to do so. Checking your blood glucose level gives you the information you need to keep yourself healthy.
Most people with diabetes try to keep their blood glucose as close to normal as possible to prevent dangerously high levels and long-term complications. This means that you should keep your blood glucose level between 90 and 130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL after meals.
To keep your blood glucose on course, you need to make several decisions. Many are made by you alone. Some are made together with your health care team. The information you get when you check your blood glucose allows you and your health care team to make wise choices. For example, a record of blood glucose levels shows how medications, physical activity, food, illness, stress and other factors affect your blood glucose each day. With the help of your diabetes team, you can learn how to use this information to adjust your activity level, meal plan, insulin or other medications, as needed, to reach your blood glucose goals.
If you are not already checking your blood glucose regularly, ask your health care provider if doing so would help you better care for your diabetes. To check your glucose, you need a small drop of blood, usually from your fingertip. This drop of blood is placed on a strip that fits into your blood glucose meter.
Once the blood is on the strip, the meter reads the level of glucose in your blood. There are many types of meters to choose from. Your diabetes educator or pharmacist can tell you about the meters so you can choose the one that is right for you. Although most meters keep the latest blood glucose readings in their memory, some people find it easier to look at their numbers in a written record. Your record helps you and your health care provider find patterns in your blood glucose levels. It also makes clear when your blood glucose readings are above or below your target level. Keep in mind that you are checking your blood glucose for yourself. Checking your blood glucose gives you the information you need to make decisions about your diabetes. The members of your health care team are like experts in the control tower who guide the pilot to help keep the plane on course. But you are the pilot. Checking your blood glucose and learning to use the information can keep you flying safely.
