Managing Blood Sugar With Diabetes: Checks, Targets, Highs and Lows

Keeping your blood sugar in your target range as much as possible helps prevent or delay serious health problems — and specific steps make it easier.

How to check

• Blood sugar meter (glucometer): measures sugar in a small drop of blood, usually from a fingertip. See monitoring blood sugar.
• Continuous glucose monitor (CGM): a sensor under the skin reads blood sugar every few minutes. CGM users still need a daily meter check to confirm its accuracy.

When to check

It depends on your type of diabetes and medicines. Typical times:

• on waking, before eating or drinking;
• before a meal;
• two hours after a meal;
• at bedtime.

With type 1 diabetes, with type 2 and insulin, or with frequent lows, your doctor may want more checks — for example, before and after exercise.

Typical targets

Your targets may differ with age, other health problems and other factors — ask your health care team.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Below 70 mg/dL is low. Causes include missing a meal, too much insulin, other diabetes medicines, more activity than usual, and alcohol. More: low blood sugar.

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

Causes include being sick or stressed, eating more than usual, and not enough insulin. If you're sick and your blood sugar is 240 mg/dL or above, use an over-the-counter ketone test, and call your doctor if ketones are high — an early sign of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a medical emergency that needs treatment right away. More: DKA.

Everyday ways to stay in range

A healthy diet, a healthy weight and regular physical activity all help. Also:

• track your blood sugar to learn what raises or lowers it;
• eat at regular times, and don't skip meals;
• choose foods lower in calories, saturated fat, sugar and salt;
• track your food, drinks and activity;
• drink water instead of juice or soda;
• limit alcohol (2 drinks or less a day for men, 1 or less for women);
• for a sweet treat, choose fruit;
• control portions, for example with the plate method.

Carbohydrates

Carbs raise blood sugar more than protein or fat — but you can still eat them. How much depends on your age, weight, activity and more. Counting carbs is a key tool; set your carb goals with your health care team.

Sources

Based on "Manage Blood Sugar," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. A stock photograph is left out.