How to test your blood sugar?

Blood sugar tests are not just for people who use insulin. Even if you have Type 2 Diabetes and you are treating it with oral medication or a diet and exercise programme, blood sugar monitoring can tell you how changes in your lifestyle are working.

Setting up a management plan
The first step is to meet with your healthcare team to set up a management plan. Your healthcare team may want you to check your levels once or several times daily. If you use insulin, you may need to test before each meal and at bedtime. Even if you do not use insulin, you may be asked to check a few times a day or just once a day. That is why it is important to discuss blood sugar testing with your healthcare team. Together, you can agree on when to test and determine your blood sugar target ranges.

Contact your healthcare team
You should also know the conditions you contact your doctor or certified diabetes educator (CDE). For example, they may want to know:

• If your blood sugar is higher than a certain number or has dropped below a pre-determined limit
• If you experience highs or lows two or more times within 24 hours
• If you have been experiencing any patterns that may require adjustments in food, activity or medication

In addition to regular blood sugar testing, your healthcare team may want you to perform additional tests after trying new foods, adjusting medication, exercising intensely or for long periods of time, or for other reasons.

Information courtesy from Roche Diagnostics (M) Sdn Bhd