Everything You Need to Know about Blood Glucose Reading

Find out exactly what your Blood Glucose Reading Means

Some people call it blood sugar, but your doctor probably calls it by its more formal name, blood glucose. And your physician has probably directed you to take regular blood glucose readings throughout the day to keep your diabetes under control.

Glucose is a type of sugar found in carbohydrate foods (fruits, grains, vegetables) and it is the major source of energy for living cells. But your cells cannot use blood glucose without the help of insulin. Unfortunately, people with diabetes do not naturally produce enough insulin. This results in high blood glucose, which, over time, can result in serious health problems.

A blood glucose meter is a small, portable, battery-powered device for taking blood glucose readings at home. By using a blood glucose meter and blood glucose test strips to test your blood throughout the day, you’ll know whether your level of glucose is low, high or normal. You can then make sound decisions about managing your diabetes — for example, when and how much medicine to take, when to exercise and when to eat meals or snacks.

How it Works

A blood glucose meter takes a reading from a drop of blood, usually taken from your fingertip, that is placed on the end of a specially coated strip, called a blood glucose test strip. Chemicals in the strip change color according to how much glucose is in the blood. The blood glucose meter reads the strip and shows your blood glucose level in a digital window display.

Aim for these Blood Glucose Readings

There are ideal goals for people with diabetes, although you and your doctor may decide on different blood glucose goals than these:

• Fasting and before meals: 80 to 120
• After meals (about 1 to 2 hours): Less than 160 to 180
• Bedtime: 100 to 140

Other Times to Take a Blood Glucose Reading

There isn’t any single “best time” to take a blood glucose reading, but here are some suggestions:

• Before meals and at bedtime.
• If you (or anyone else) think you are having low sugar symptoms.
• If you are sick. (Be sure to check several times daily; if the results are higher than usual, call for advice.)
• Before driving an automobile or operating other dangerous machinery.
• Both immediately before and after active exercise. (Also, if you have the chance, check an hour before the exercise).
• For at least 3 days after any doctor changes any of your medications.
• At least 4 times a day during hospitalizations.

Alternate Schedules for Blood Glucose Readings 

To observe your ups and downs without becoming a pincushion, you may want to rotate your schedule. Take your blood glucose readings a few times a day at different times. In just a few days, you’ll have results from around the clock. 

Day 1
Check after fasting
Check 1-2 hours after breakfast
Day 2
Check before lunch
Check 1-2 hours after lunch
Day 3
Check before dinner
Check 1-2 hours after dinner
Day 4
Check before fasting
Check at bedtime

Home monitoring of your blood sugar is one of the most important things you can do to take charge of your diabetes. And knowing how to properly use a blood glucose meter and blood glucose test strips is the first step in accurate home monitoring. If you’re not sure how, ask your doctor.

Diabetic Seniors Team

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