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Suggested Testing Times and Target Goals
Tracking your blood glucose concentration through frequent testing is an important
part of proper diabetes care. Your healthcare professional will help you to decide the
normal target range for your glucose levels. They will also help you to determine
when and how often to test your blood glucose. Some suggested times are:
When you wake up (fasting level)
Before
breakfast
1-2 hours after breakfast
Before
lunch
1-2 hours after lunch
Before or after exercise
Before
dinner
1-2 hours after dinner
Before
bedtime
After a snack
At 2 or 3 AM, if taking insulin
You may need to test more often whenever
1
:
You add or adjust your medication for diabetes.
You think your blood glucose levels may be too low or too high.
You are ill, or feeling uncomfortable over long periods of time.
Expected blood glucose levels for people without diabetes
2
:
Time
Range, mg/dL
Range, mmol/L
Fasting and Before Meals
70 - 100
3.9 - 5.6
2 Hours after Meals
Less than 140
Less than 7.8
Talk to your healthcare professional to set your own daily target ranges.
Time of Day
Your Target Range
Waking up (Fasting level)
Before meals
2 hours after meals
Bedtime
2 AM to 3 AM
Other
(Note: 1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL)
Use the logbook to record your blood glucose measurements and related
information. Bring the logbook with you when you visit your doctor so that you can
determine how well your blood glucose is being controlled. This can help you and
your healthcare professional make the best decisions about your glucose control
plan.
1. Jennifer Mayfield and Stephen Havas, “Self-Control: A Physician’s Guide to Blood Glucose
Monitoring in the Management of Diabetes – An American Family Physician Monograph”
2. ADA Clinical Practice Recommendations, 2018.