Managing Your Diabetes:

Do You Know Your Numbers?

Why do I need to know my blood sugar numbers? Your blood sugar numbers show how well your diabetes is managed. As you check your blood sugar, you can see what makes your numbers go up and down. For example, you may see that when you are stressed or eat certain foods, your numbers go up. You may see that when you take your medicine and are active, your numbers go down. �is information lets you know what is working for you and what needs to change.

How is blood sugar measured? �ere are two ways to measure blood sugar: ■ Blood sugar checks that you do yourself. �ese tell what your blood sugar level is at the time you test.

■ �e A1C is a test done in a lab or at your health care provider’s o�ce. �is test tells your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months.

How do I check my blood sugar? You use a blood glucose meter to check your blood sugar. �is device uses a small drop of blood from your �nger to measure your blood sugar level. Write the date, time and result of the test in your blood sugar record. Take your blood sugar record and meter to each visit and talk about your results with your doctor.

How o�en should I check my blood sugar? �e number of times that you check your blood sugar will depend on the type of diabetes that you have and the type of medicine you take to treat your diabetes. For example, people who take insulin may need to check more o�en than people who do not take insulin. Talk with your health care provider about how o�en to check your blood sugar.

�e common times for checking your blood sugar are when you �rst wake up (fasting), before a meal, two hours a�er a meal and at bedtime. Talk with your doctor about what times are best for you to check your blood sugar.

Interpreting blood sugar meter resultsMost blood sugar charts show recommended levels as a range, allowing for di�erences between individuals. Interpreting blood sugar meter readings depends a lot on individual norms and targets. A good blood sugar level for one person may be too high or too low for someone else. Talk with your health care provider about what blood sugar numbers are right for you.

�ese numbers for blood sugar (glucose) levels should be used to diagnose pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association:

What should I do if my blood sugar gets too high? High blood sugar is also called hyperglycemia. It means that your blood sugar level is higher than your target level or over 180. Having high blood sugar levels over time can lead to long-term, serious health problems. If you feel very tired, thirsty, have blurry vision, or have frequent urination, your blood sugar may be high. Check your blood sugar and see if it is above your target level or over 180. If it is too high, drink a large glass of water and increase physical activity. Call your doctor if your blood sugar is high more than three times in two weeks and you don’t know why.

What should I do if my blood sugar gets too low? Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. It means your blood sugar level drops below 70. Having low blood sugar is dangerous and needs to be treated right away. Anyone with diabetes can have low blood sugar. You have a greater chance of having low blood sugar if you take insulin or certain pills for diabetes. Carry supplies for treating low blood sugar with you. If you feel shaky, sweaty or very hungry, check your blood sugar. Even if you feel none of these things, but think you may have low blood sugar, check it.

If your meter shows that your blood sugar is lower than 70, do one of the following things right away:

■ chew four glucose tablets ■ drink four ounces of fruit juice ■ drink four ounces of regular soda, not diet soda or ■ chew four pieces of hard candy A�er taking one of these treatments, wait for 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar again. Repeat these steps until your blood sugar is 70 or above. A�er your blood sugar gets back up to 70 or more, eat a snack if your next meal is one hour or more away.

What if I have trouble getting to my blood sugar goals? �ere may be times when you have trouble reaching your blood sugar goals. �is does not mean that you have failed. It means that you and your health care provider should see if changes are needed. Call your doctor if your blood sugar is o�en too high or too low. Taking action will help you be healthy today and in the future.

Blood sugar levels Target blood sugar for those levels for those Time of check without diabetes with diabetes

Fasting less than 100 mg/dl 80 - 130 mg/dl (before breakfast)

Before meals less than 110 mg/dl 70 - 130 mg/dl

2 hours after meal less than 140 mg/dl less than 180 mg/dl

Bedtime less than 120 mg/dl between 90 - 150 mg/dl

A1C levels less than 5.7 percent less than 7 percent

Normal Blood Sugar LevelsFasting glucose – Less than 100 mg/dl2 hours a�er meal – Less than 140 mg/dl

Pre-DiabetesFasting glucose – Equal to or greater than 100 and less than 125 mg/dl

2 hours post meal glucose level – Equal to or greater than 140 and less than 200 mg/ dl

DiabetesFasting glucose – Equal to or greater than 126 mg/dl2 hours glucose level – Equal to or greater than 200 mg/dl

Below are target blood sugar levels for people both with and without diabetes.

If you have diabetes, you know that checking your blood sugar, also called blood glucose, is an important part of diabetes care. But you may not be sure what your “numbers” are and what to do if they aren’t where they should be. �ese “numbers” might be even more confusing if you have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic or if you aren’t sure whether you have diabetes.

6/2017

800.807.0100 • cbservices.org

�e A1C test�e A1C test tells you and your health care provider your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. It also helps you and your doctor decide the type and amount of diabetes medicine you need. If your doctor says you have pre-diabetes, it means you are at high risk of developing diabetes. You can prevent or delay diabetes by increasing physical activity, eating healthy foods and maintaining or losing weight.

What is a good A1C goal for me? Your health care professional will report your A1C test result as a percentage, such as an A1C of 7 percent. �e higher the percentage, the higher your average blood glucose levels. For many people with diabetes, the A1C goal is below 7. �is number is di�erent from the blood sugar numbers that you check each day. You and your doctor will decide on an A1C goal that is right for you.

�e following will help you understand what your test numbers mean if you are not pregnant. Diagnosis A1C (percent) Normal below 5.7 Pre-Diabetes 5.7 to 6.4 Diabetes 6.5 or above

Source: Adapted from American Diabetes Association. Classi�cation and diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(1):S14–S20, tables 2.1, 2.3.

How o�en do I need an A1C test? You need to get an A1C test at least two times a year. You need it more o�en if: ■ your number is higher than your goal number ■ your diabetes treatment changes

For more information on diabetes management, visit myCBS.org/health.