Target Blood Glucose Levels
Bedtime 100 – 140
Before Meals 80 – 120
Hemoglobin A1C Level Less than 7%
Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels – Meter Testing
Monitoring your blood glucose levels at home is the most important thing you can do when you have any type of diabetes. Effectively controlling the correct levels can affect your health, energy and lower your chances of developing diabetic complications. Many things can affect your blood sugar levels on a daily basis; exercise, eating, stress or even illnesses are just some of the factors. Blood glucose levels should be checked daily and your physician will write you a specific prescription when your time arrives for testing.
You will find the varieties of blood glucose testing meters seems endless at times but consider these when picking one; ease of use, testing strip cost and how you want to test, finger or arm. Most testing devices record individual tests and also give an averaging of results over 7, 14, or 30 day periods. Keeping a logbook of your blood sugar levels is important as well, tracking the actions that caused your levels to rise or fall is vital for maintaining your diabetes (what you ate, after exercise, etc.).
Hemoglobin A1C, What’s that?
A hemoglobin A1C test is your blood glucose levels over a 90 day period and how well you have controlled your diabetes. This diabetes management tool/test is done by your physician to assess if any changes are needed in your routine to help control your diabetes. The normal range is 4-6% with a target of less than 7% for the average diabetic.
Your test results may vary and if they show above 8 %, your diabetes is out of control. If this is the case your physician will talk with you about changes you need for better control your levels and avoid further health complications.