Testing Your Blood Sugar

Diabetes Resources

- Diabetes Wellness Center
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- Sick Days
- Testing Blood Sugar
- Types of Diabetes
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A test known as the Hemoglobin A IC measures your blood sugar control over three months. This is a more accurate picture of your blood glucose control. You want your hbA IC to be 7% or below.

HbA IC and Blood Glucose Levels

HbA IC

Mean Blood Glucose

6%

120 mg/dL

7%

150 mg/dL

8%

180 mg/dL

9%

210 mg/dL

10%

240 mg/dL

11%

270 mg/dL
  1. Testing your blood sugar on a daily basis allows you a day to day view of your blood sugar and whether it is controlled.
  2. Your blood sugar varies daily based on diet, stress, illness, activity level, and insulin and medication use.
  3. Ask your doctor how frequently to test your blood sugar and what times of day to check it. Most people start out checking their blood sugar twice a day once in the morning before breakfast and once in the evening before supper.
  4. The amount of times you check your blood sugar depends on how well your blood sugar is controlled and if you have any factors that might alter it for the day such as illness.

How to check your blood sugar:

  • Wash your hands and dry them before performing the test.
  • Follow the instructions for inserting the test strip into the meter (they should be on the back of the box or in the package insert).
  • Use an alcohol pad to clean the location that you're going to prick with the lancet. 
  • Keep in mind that with most glucometers, you get a drop of blood from the fingertip. However, with some newer meters, you can also use a forearm, thigh or the fleshy part of your hand. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which location you should use with your glucometer (this should be listed on the box). 
  • Prick yourself with a sterile lancet to get a drop of blood. (If you are testing your fingers, it may be easier and less painful to prick the fingertip on one side, and not on the pad of the fingertip).
  • Place the drop of blood on the test strip. You may have to squeeze your fingertip in order to get the enough blood for the strip.
  • The meter will give you a number for your blood sugar level.
  • It is a good idea to record your daily results along with the time you checked your blood sugar in a journal. You may also want to keep track of what medication you took that day (the amount and time), dietary intake (amount and time), and level of physical activity.

Example of a Journal:

Reference

www.diabetes.org
 
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