Blood sugar monitoring: how, when, and why
Daily blood sugar monitoring with your blood glucosemeter gives you valuable information about how your day-to-day diabetes management is working, and if you need to make changes.
Learn why it’s important to monitor your blood sugar, how often to check your blood sugar level, and know the recommended blood sugar target ranges.
Why Blood Sugar Monitoring is Important
Regular blood sugar monitoring:
- Shows how well your food choices, exercise, and medications are working
- Detects high or low blood sugar so you can treat it quickly
- Gives you valuable information, so you and your healthcare team can make decisions about your diabetes treatment plan
How Often Do You Need to Check Your Blood Sugar
The number of times you check your blood sugar level during the day depends on the type of diabetes you have, what medications you take and when, and also your A1c level. However, there are recommended times when it’s better to check.
Fasting: when you wake up and before you eat or drink anything
- Goal: 80-130 mg/dL
Before Meals
- Goal: 80-130 mg/dL
After Meals: 1-2 hours after your first bite of food
- Goal: 80-180 mg/dL
Before Exercising
- Goal: 90-180 mg/dL
Check more often when:
- You’re sick (illness, infection, nausea or vomiting)
- You’re making lifestyle changes—for example, increased activity or changes in your diet
- Your medications have changed—your doctor increased or lowered your dose, or stopped or added new medications
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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.