About diabetes
Tracking your blood glucose level
When you have diabetes, it's important for you to keep track of your blood glucose levels.
Keeping track of your blood glucose levels helps you to keep your blood glucose at a level that keeps you healthy and feeling good. If your blood sugar drops too low, you may experience the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include feeling weak, confused, irritable, hungry, or tired. You may sweat a lot or get a headache. You may feel shaky. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms.,
Checking your blood glucose often, especially after a meal, can help you avoid the symptoms of low blood glucose. Because everyone is different, you and your healthcare provider should work together to set the goals for your blood glucose levels. Tracking your blood glucose level will help you and your healthcare provider figure out a pattern in your blood glucose levels. An easy way to remember your levels is to write them down in a diary. Track your blood glucose levels with a free blood glucose diary available here.
People with diabetes generally check and write down their blood glucose levels at two important times:
- In the morning on an empty stomach. This is called your fasting plasma (blood) glucose, or FPG level.
- After you eat. This is called your postprandial plasma (blood) glucose, or PPG level.
Another important number to know is your A1C level. Your A1C number measures your average blood glucose over the past three months.
Your healthcare provider can give you an A1C test. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends an A1C level of less than 7%. , Together with FPG and PPG numbers, A1C numbers can give you and your healthcare provider a good idea of how your treatment plan is working for you.
Models are for illustrative purposes only.
