Diabetics lack a fully functioning system that can regulate their blood sugar levels. So, if you have diabetes, you need to know what your blood sugar level is. This way, you can make adjustments to your lifestyle or medication to keep the glucose in the target range.
With diabetes, both highs (above 180 mg/dl) and lows (below 70 mg/dl) can make you feel sick. Severely low glucose, and you can faint. Too high levels, and you might experience diabetic ketoacidosis. Self-monitoring enables you to react quickly and manage your condition at any time.
Here is a quick look at the importance of self-monitoring of blood glucose for people with diabetes.
How to self-monitor blood glucose?
You can self-monitor your glucose at home with a fingerstick and a glucose meter, or with a CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) device.
The glucose meter is a portable, hand-held device that provides you with valuable data to improve your glycemic management. It shows how much glucose is in your bloodstream. It can be a practical self-testing tool for type 2 diabetic patients.
The CGM is a wearable device. It relies on a small sensor inserter below the skin and is often recommended for type 1 diabetic patients or those who require consistent glucose monitoring. CGM devices are more popular for those who use multiple insulin injections or have an insulin pump.
What is the purpose of self-monitoring blood glucose?
Self-monitoring blood glucose is a valuable asset of any diabetes management plan. When you check your blood sugar levels regularly, you can see your own dynamic blood glucose profile. This can help you schedule your medication, exercise, and food.
Self-monitoring is also essential for understanding when your blood sugar varies. Even if you follow your doctor’s advice and take the necessary medication, your blood sugar can fluctuate easily. For example, work stress, minor health problems, and a change in diet can affect your glucose levels.
Self-monitoring can help you recognize these factors and patterns. You can know what to expect with your metabolic condition so that you get to be adequately prepared to avoid or manage blood sugar highs and lows.
Both a CGM and glucose meter can help you check and adjust your diabetes treatment. You can use the readings to see how your eating habits, stress management, and insulin dose are helping you control your metabolic disorder.
What is the normal range for self-monitoring of blood glucose?
Blood glucose goals vary from patient to patient. Your glucose goals can also vary based on the type of diabetes you have, age, whether you are pregnant, or have any other health condition. Here is a blood sugar chart for adults with diabetes you can use as a general outline:
- Fasting (before a meal) – 80 to 130 mg/dl
- 2 hours after eating (post-prandial) – below 180 mg/dl
- HBA1C – 7.0% or under
For those 65 or older, the blood sugar goals can change. For example, 80 to 180 mg/dL are considered normal when fasting. The glucose can range from 80 to 200 mg/dL for elderly with poor overall health or who require assisted living.
How often should diabetics monitor their blood glucose?
People with type 1 diabetes usually have to check their blood sugar about 4 times a day. Those with type 2 diabetes who take medicine or insulin might also need regular monitoring or as recommended by their doctor.
If you are using an insulin pump or multiple insulin injections, then measure your blood sugar at least:
- Before a meal or snack
- Occasionally after eating
- Before working out
- At bedtime
Be sure to check your blood sugar if you notice any signs of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. If you are a type 2 diabetic, who doesn’t need insulin, then you can self-monitor the glucose once or twice a day.
But, if you need insulin, then self-monitoring before driving can help decrease the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Hypoglycemia can happen when you are driving and can affect your performance, accuracy, and steering control. Talk to a doctor to know how often to monitor your blood sugar levels.
Should I test my blood sugar if I’m not diabetic?
People with diabetes usually need to self-monitor their glucose. But, if you want to gain some valuable insight into your eating patterns, sleep, nutrition, or hormones, then you can use blood sugar readings to create personalized goals.
For example, if you are physically inactive and you’ve focused on consuming highly processed foods, then your metabolic health can decline over time. When you miss sleep on a regular basis and you struggle with day-to-day stress, then your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar can also dwindle.
By self-monitoring your glucose, you see when you need to work on your glucose levels and reduce the odds of obesity, chronic inflammation, or other health problems. So, if you are feeling like your blood sugar is too low or too high, and you are not diabetic, feel free to check it.
Other tips when self-monitoring
- Wash the hands thoroughly and dry them before testing.
- Use a clean needle every time you test the glucose.
- Don’t contaminate the test strips with moisture, dirt, or other particles.
- Use a generous amount of blood when testing.
- Dispose of the needle in a puncture-proof container.
- Hold a clean gauze or cotton pad over the area to stop the bleeding.
Conclusion
If you have diabetes, you must keep your glucose stable. But a theory is not as easy as practice. Diabetes is an unpredictable disease. You can suffer from blood sugar highs and lows, despite being careful with what you eat and the medicine you take. That’s where self-monitoring comes into play.
By regularly monitoring your blood glucose, you can understand your condition and pick lifestyle choices that can help you mitigate blood sugar fluctuations. With devices such as the glucose meter or CGM, you can learn more about the factors that make your glucose unstable.
You can then devise a proper strategy to get the glucose in check. If you don’t know how to self-monitor your glucose, talk to a specialist. They can offer practical advice on living with diabetes. Especially if you are using insulin or other diabetes medication.