The Importance of Consistently Recording Your Blood Glucose Levels
Written by KURA Writer- Rylee Nelson
Monitoring your blood glucose levels is essential for you and your doctor in managing your diabetes treatment plan. It would help if you ensured your results were from specific times of the day. Traditionally people have kept a written log to track their levels. Now there are convenient ways to keep track of glucose levels, such as through apps. The first time of the day suggested for using a meter to check your levels is pre-meal. The second time is post-meal which should be done 1–2 hours after beginning the meal. It’s important to check during these times and be consistent with it because it helps determine how food affects your blood sugar (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). The target levels for these times according to the American Diabetes Association, 2023 include:
● Pre-meals: 80–130 mg/dl
● Post-meals: less than 180 mg/dl
Let’s say Ben’s doctor wants him to check his blood glucose level pre-meal and post-meal daily. He has set times of the day he eats his meals, which are 8 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm. Before breakfast at 8 am, Ben will check his blood glucose and log it, and then he will eat breakfast. At 10 am, it’s time to recheck it for a post-meal reading. Just before 12 pm, a pre-meal reading will be retaken, and then it’s time to eat lunch. At 2 pm, Ben will check for his post-meal level. Just before 6 pm, there would be another pre-meal check, then dinner. At 8 pm, the last post-meal check Ben does is complete. Snacks can also affect glucose levels, so eating a snack before a meal and then checking your glucose before that meal wouldn’t be considered pre-meal anymore.
Your doctor may have different goals for your levels and number of times they’re checked daily depending on your treatment plan. Having a suitable treatment plan and managing your blood glucose levels can reduce your risk of diabetes complications (CDC, 2022). Monitoring your blood glucose levels regularly helps you and your doctor make informed decisions about your treatment plan. The decisions that can help keep your levels in a healthy range include dosages, diet, and exercise. Try and establish a good habit of checking your glucose. Using reminders to stay on track may help you start a sustainable routine. For example, set an alarm, plan your daily eating times, and check your levels.
References:
American Diabetes Association. (2023). The big picture: Checking your blood glucose. Blood Glucose Testing and Management. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/checking-your-blood-sugar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December 21). Health and economic benefits of diabetes interventions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/programs-impact/pop/diabetes.htm#:~:text=Keeping%20diabetes%20under%20control%20through,and%20nerve%20disease%20by%2040%25.
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, January 3). Blood sugar monitoring: Why, how & when to check. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17956-blood-sugar-monitoring#:~:text=Before%20meals%3A%20Checking%20your%20blood,food%20affects%20your%20blood%20sugar.
