Taking control of your diabetes can help you feel better and stay healthy. Research shows
that keeping your blood glucose (blood sugar) close to normal reduces your chances of
having eye, kidney, and nerve problems. To control your diabetes, you need to know your
blood glucose numbers and your target goals.
There are 2 tests that you need to become familiar with:
- Blood Glucose – this is the test that you do yourself by using a drop of
blood from your fingertip and a meter that measures the level of glucose
in your blood at the time you do the test. This is called self-monitoring of
blood glucose (SMBG).
- The A1C test (pronounced A-one-C) reflects your average blood glucose
level over the last 3 months. It is the best way to know your overall blood
glucose control during this period of time. This test used to be called
hemoglobin A-1-C or H-b-A-1-C.
If you have diabetes… know your blood sugar numbers!
You and your health care team need to use both the A1C and SMBG tests to get a
complete picture of your blood glucose control.
Why should I check my blood glucose?
Self monitoring of blood glucose, or SMBG, with a meter helps you see how food, physical
activity, and medicine affect your blood glucose levels. The readings you get can help you
manage your diabetes day by day or even hour by hour. Keep a record of your test results
and review it at each visit with your health care team.
