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Diabetes Self-Management Education

Testing Blood Sugars

How Much Should I Be Testing My Sugars?

How to manage blood sugar Number of times per day to test blood sugar
Diet only Several times per week
Pills only 1 to 2 times per day

Pills with insulin

1 to 2 times per day

Insulin shots 1 time a day

1 to 2 times per day

Insulin shots 2 times per day

2 to 4 times per day

Insulin shots 3 to 4 times per day

3 to 6 times per day

When should I test my blood sugar?

Any of the following are good times to test:

  • Just before you eat a meal or snack
  • Two hours after you eat a meal or snack 
  • When you wake up 
  •  When you go to bed
  •  When you feel bad
    • Signs of high sugar 
    • Signs of low sugar
    • Sick 
  • Before exercise (especially Type 1)

What should my sugars be when I test?
before you eat 80 to 130 mg/dl
two hours after you eat <180 mg/dl

What is an A1c Number? How Is It Different from What I Get at Home When I Test?

Your A1c number is an average of your blood sugars over three months’ time. The goal for your A1c is <7%.

What an A1c number means on your meter:

A1c (%) Average Blood Sugar (mg/dL)
6 120
7 150
8 180
9 200
10 240
11 270
12 300

What About Testing on My Arm Versus My Finger?

If your meter allows you to test somewhere on your body other than your finger, then it is okay to test other places. It usually hurts less to test other places on your body, especially on your arm. Use the clear cap.

The only time you absolutely should test on your finger is if you think your blood sugar might be low. The finger will give you a better reading if your sugars are low.

Keeping a Record

Use the method that is the best fo you and your physician.

Bring it to every visit.

Blood Glucose Target Levels

Blood Glucose Target Levels Table

  People With Diabetes People Without Diabetes
Before meals 80 to 130 80 to 125
Two hours after meals Less than 180 80 to 140
Hgb A1c Less than 7% Less than 5.7%
Blood pressure Less than 140/90 Less than 140/90

 

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)

Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) measure the body’s glucose levels (blood sugar levels) in real-time by measuring the glucose present in tissue fluid. While a blood glucose meter (BGM) provides a measurement of the blood glucose level at a specific moment in time (from a fingerstick), CGMs can measure a new glucose level every five minutes. A BGM is similar to a quick photo – measuring a single blood sugar “snap shot” – while a CGM is more of a long-time monitor, showing your glucose levels over many hours and days sometimes. This can help to learn about glucose trends and give information on overnight glucose readings.

CGMs measure glucose levels with a sensor which is inserted under the skin. Sensors are usually good for 7-14 days, depending on the system.

The sensor sends the measurements to a transmitter which sits on top of the sensor and sends glucose information to a receiver or a smartphone app.

Take the Quiz!

Thanks for completing the Testing section! Take our quiz to see what you learned.