Testing your blood sugar tells you how well your Treatment Plan is working.
Reducing complications
By keeping your blood sugar close to normal levels, you can reduce the risk of eye disease, kidney and heart disease, and other diabetes-related health problems.
Healthy levels vary
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines. Check with your doctor to learn the right levels for your body.
Severe symptoms
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have any severe symptoms.
Keep good records
Be sure to write down when your blood sugar is higher or lower than your healthy range. Share the records with your doctor.
Scale amount 1:
Above 180 mg/dL
A blood sugar level greater than 180 mg/dL, one to two hours after the start of a meal, or greater than 130 mg/dL before a meal, shows that your diabetes is not under good control.
- Call your doctor to talk about your blood sugar level if you high blood sugar several times a week. You may need a check-up, or you may need a change in your Action Plan.
- Your goal is a blood sugar of less than 180 mg/dL after a meal.
Scale amount 2:
100 to 140 mg/dL
This is your target blood sugar range at bedtime.
Scale amount 3:
90 to 130 mg/dL
This is your target “fasting” blood sugar range before you eat.
Scale amount 4:
70 mg/dL or below
You may have low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.
- Here’s a rule of thumb: If your blood sugar is less than 70 mg/dL and you have symptoms, like dizziness, shakiness, sweating, and a pounding heartbeat, you have low blood sugar.
- You also have low blood sugar if your levels are less than 70 mg/dL, even if you have no symptoms.
If it’s low, eat or drink something sugary. You can take glucose tablets, hard candy, or fruit juice.
Rest for 15 minutes. Then, recheck your blood sugar. If it’s still low, eat something sugary again. Rest and then, check blood sugar again. Repeat steps until blood sugar is over 70 mg/dL.
Seek medical attention if you get low blood sugar several times a week.
