Self-testing is a key tool in keeping diabetes under control. Diabetic patients should keep their blood sugar (glucose) as close to the target range as possible. This helps prevent or delay diabetes-related complications.
It’s important to monitor your blood sugar because it shows how your medication, diet, and lifestyle are affecting your glucose levels. It can determine if your glucose drops or rises at a given time, and help your healthcare team devise a diabetes-management strategy that’s tailored to your needs.
The glucose target range varies from patient to patient. It usually depends on your medical condition, age, and other risk factors. So, it is crucial to consult a specialist on how to stay on target with type 2 diabetes.
Here, we compiled some practical tips on the best time to check blood sugar levels. The type 2 diabetes monitoring guidelines below can answer all your queries.
The Best Time to Check Blood Sugar
Every person with diabetes checks their blood glucose at different times. It depends on their health status, diet, medication, activity, and other health problems.
To know how often to check your blood sugar with type 2 diabetes, talk to a specialist. A diabetes educator or doctor can create a testing schedule that works for you.
Based on general guidelines, people typically check their glucose 4 times a day. The best time to check your blood sugar is right after you wake up (fasting), before you eat a meal, 2 hours after your meal, and at bedtime. But, this can vary from person to person.
Some people with type 2 diabetes require more frequent testing. Others can keep their condition under control with little effort. Here is how often to measure blood glucose with type 2 diabetes in various circumstances.
For Recently Diagnosed Patients
Most people with type 2 diabetes need to check their glucose once or twice a day. This can be a good testing schedule for those who are used to keeping their metabolic condition stable and don’t have any other health problems.
But, as a recently diagnosed patient, you might have to check it a couple of times a day. You can test yourself when you wake up, before you grab a bite to eat, and at bedtime. If you are feeling stressed or sick, test your blood glucose more often.
When you experience emotional or physical stress, the body releases hormones that cause the blood sugar to spike. This is something many newly diagnosed patients are unfamiliar with.
If your blood sugar fluctuates, you are taking insulin, or you have severe episodes of low glucose, your doctor can suggest using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This device can alert you when there is a change in glucose levels so that you can make better treatment decisions.
For Patients Using Insulin
If you use insulin, your doctor might suggest you check your glucose a couple of times a day. How often you should do it will vary based on the amount and type of insulin you use.
People taking long- or intermediate-acting insulin sometimes test at bedtime or before dinner. However, it is not uncommon to have to test your glucose before eating and at bedtime if you are using many daily insulin injections.
For People Who Work Out Regularly
During workouts, low blood sugar can be a problem. When you are exercising, you should pay attention to any signs of low glucose. To keep your health stable, test the glucose before, during, and after a workout.
If you want to do a long workout session, check the glucose every 30 min or so.
This is particularly useful for diabetic patients who are increasing the duration and intensity of their workouts or are looking to try a different form of physical activity.
Test the glucose as soon as you are done exercising. Physical activity can draw on reserve glucose stored in your liver and muscles. The harder the workout, the longer the glucose levels will be affected. Your blood sugar can plummet even 4 to 8 hours after exercise.
What Can Affect My Blood Sugar Results?
Your blood sugar can fluctuate for several reasons. If you have some health problems, like gout or anemia, you are at a high altitude, or the weather is too humid or hot, you can experience blood sugar swings.
Skipping your daily medicine, and having an infection or illness can all cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in diabetic patients. Dehydration, surgery, injury, or hormonal changes also have a role to play. With regular blood glucose testing, you can figure out the patterns and find the best ways to adjust your diabetes treatment plan.
When to Measure Blood Sugar After Eating?
Experts often recommend waiting 2 hours after the start of the meal to check your blood glucose. This gives the body enough time to digest and process the food and for the insulin to act.
How Long Does Blood Sugar Stay Elevated After Eating?
Different factors can affect the severity of the glucose spikes after a meal. Trans fats, sweetened beverages, white pasta, rice, or bread can have a profound impact on your blood sugar levels. In people who successfully manage their diabetes, the glucose should go down in a short while. But, if you don’t manage your diabetes, the glucose can remain high even 2 hours after your meal.
How Do I Know If My Blood Sugar Is Stable?
You should keep your glucose in the target range. The target range can vary from person to person. The typical targets include:
- 80 to 130 mg/dL – before a meal
- Below 180 mg/dL – 2 hours after the beginning of the meal
When your blood sugar is too high, you may start feeling tired, weak, or incredibly thirsty. Some type 2 diabetic patients can develop temporary blurry vision or increased urination.
If the glucose drops too low, you can start feeling hungry, tired, and dizzy. Sometimes you may feel easily irritated or experience palpitations. Without treating the low glucose, you increase the risk of developing other symptoms, such as blurry vision, weakness, and confusion.
Talk to a healthcare expert if you have trouble keeping your glucose stable.