Blood sugar monitoring — when, how, what to look for
Frequency by treatment regimen, target ranges, and how to log readings so patterns emerge in two to three weeks.
A glucometer is the cheapest, most powerful diabetes tool you own.
How often
- Diet/exercise only: 2-3 times a week, varying times
- Oral meds: once a day, rotating fasting / pre-meal / post-meal
- Insulin: 3-4 times a day, plus bedtime
- GDM: 4 times a day — fasting + 1 hour after each meal
Target ranges (most adults)
- Fasting/pre-meal: 80-130 mg/dL
- 2 hours post-meal: under 180 mg/dL
- Bedtime: 100-140 mg/dL
Log usefully
Time, reading, before/after meal, what you ate, activity/stress notes. Patterns emerge in 2-3 weeks. Paste the log into DiaCare and ask "spot the patterns."