self-monitoring

Check Your Blood Glucose as Recommended

The best way to find out how well you are taking care of your diabetes is to check your blood to see how much glucose is in it. If your blood has too much or too little glucose, you may need a change in your meal plan, exercise plan, or medicine. Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood glucose. Some people check their blood glucose once a day. Others do it three or four times a day. You may check before eating, before bed, and sometimes in the middle of the night.

Your doctor or diabetes educator will show you how to check your blood using a blood glucose meter. Your health insurance or Medicare may pay for the supplies and equipment you need.

Monitor Your Diabetes ABCs

Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death for people with diabetes. If you have diabetes, heart disease is more likely to strike you and at an earlier age than someone without diabetes. Therefore, people with diabetes need to control their A1C or blood glucose average, their Blood pressure, and their Cholesterol -- the ABCs of diabetes.

The A1C test, also called the hemoglobin A1C test, shows overall blood glucose for the past 3 months. It shows how much glucose is sticking to your red blood cells. The doctor does this test to see what your blood glucose is most of the time. This test should be done at least twice a year. An A1C test result of under 7 usually means that your diabetes treatment is working well and your blood glucose is under control. If your A1C is above 7 your blood glucose is too high and you have a greater chance of getting diabetes complications.

If your A1C is 8 or above, take action. You need a change in your meal plan, exercise plan, or diabetes medicine to lower your chance of getting diabetes problems like kidney damage. Talk with your health care provider about your A1C goal.

This chart compares A1C test results with the level of glucose in the blood.

High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. This leads to strokes and other problems such as kidney disease. Your blood pressure should be checked at every doctor visit. The target blood pressure for most people with diabetes is less than 130/80. Talk with your health care provider about your blood pressure goal.

Low density lipoprotein, or LDL, is the bad cholesterol that builds up in your blood vessels. It causes the vessels to narrow and harden, which can lead to a heart attack. Your doctor should check your LDL at least once a year. The target LDL cholesterol for most people with diabetes is less than 100. Talk with your health care provider about your cholesterol goal.

Foot Care

Foot care is very important for people with diabetes. High blood glucose levels and a reduced blood supply to the limbs cause nerve damage that reduces feeling in the feet. Someone with nerve damage may not feel a pebble inside his sock that is causing a sore. One may not feel a blister caused by poorly fitting shoes. Foot injuries such as these can cause ulcers, which may lead to amputation. People with diabetes should check their feet every day and watch for any cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected toenails. Sores, blisters, breaks in the skin, infections, or buildup of calluses should be reported right away to a podiatrist or a family doctor.

Skin Care

Skin care is very important, too. Because people with diabetes may have more injuries and infections, they should protect their skin by keeping it clean, using skin softeners to treat dryness, and taking care of minor cuts and bruises.

NIH SeniorHealth
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Last updated: 08 December 2004