Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose
Testing your blood sugar (or SMBG, for self-monitoring of blood glucose) is a recommended part of day-to-day and long-term diabetes management.
While experts agree that anyone with diabetes can benefit from checking their blood sugar,1 it's especially important for people treated with insulin. In fact, the American Diabetes Association suggests that people with type 1 diabetes test their blood sugar three or more times each day. And those with type 2 diabetes should test as often as their doctor recommends to help reach their glucose goals.2
Testing helps you:
• monitor your diabetes
• track the effects of food, activity and medications
• determine where you need to make adjustments
The goal? To keep your blood sugar level within the range you and your doctor determine is best for you. In general, premeal glucose levels should range between 90 and 130 mg/dL. After eating, the goal is less than 180 mg/dL. Your healthcare team will help you determine the right targets for you.2
By keeping your blood sugar level within the recommended range, you're more likely to avoid the blood sugar highs and lows that may keep you from feeling your best. What's more, you can delay or even prevent many long-term health problems caused by high blood sugar.
1 American Diabetes Association, "Checking Your Blood Glucose." Available at http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/blood-glucose-checks.jsp (accessed February 3, 2006.)
2 American Diabetes Association. "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes." Diabetes Care, Volume 28, Supplement 1, January 2005. Available at http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/reprint/28/suppl_1/s4 (accessed February 14, 2006.)