Diabetes Know Your

BloodNumbers

When you visit your doctor, the following should be checked:

Every visit

• Weight• Blood pressure• Feet• Review blood sugar records

Every 3 to 6 months

• A1C

Once a year

• Cholesterol and blood fats• Urine test and blood test to check

your kidneys• Flu shot• Foot exam to check for feeling

and sensation

Also remember:

• Visit the dentist twice a year• Visit your eye doctor each year

for a dilated eye exam• Have a pneumonia shot

Keeping your blood sugar close to normal helps prevent or delay

some diabetes problems.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Diabetes Prevention and Control Program617-624-5070

TTY 617-624-5992www.mass.gov/dph/diabetes

To order copies of this brochure, go to: www.maclearinghouse.com

or call 1-800-952-6637.

DB726 06/10

Sugar

Date 04/04

04/05

Before Breakfast 6:10 AM 100 mg/dl 6:15 AM 115 mg/dl

Before Lunch 12:30 PM 110 mg/dl 12:30 PM 110 mg/dl

Before Dinner 5:40 PM 95 mg/dl 6:00 PM 100 mg/dl

Before Bedtime 10:00 PM 125 mg/dl

Take Charge! Control is in your hands

What to Ask Your Doctor,Nurse, Dietitian or Diabetes Educator1. What is my A1C?

2. What should my A1C be?

3. When should I check my blood sugar at home? ❏ Before breakfast ❏ Before lunch ❏ Before dinner ❏ At bedtime ❏ Other ______________________

4. What should my finger-stick test results be?

Before meals: between _________ and _________

After meals: between _________ and _________

At bedtime: between _________ and _________

5. How can I improve my diabetes control?

Keeping your blood sugar in control will help you in many ways. You will: • Have more energy • Feel better • Lower your chances of having problems with your eyes, feet, kidneys and nerve function.

Two important tests tell you if your blood sugar is at a healthy level.1 HbA1C or A1C: To measure your blood sugar control over time • What does this test measure? Your blood sugar control over the last 2 to 3 months.

• How often is this test done? Every 3 to 6 months.

• What is a good test result? The best result for most people is less than 7%. A change in your treatment plan, including diet and activity, is almost always needed if the result is more than 8%.

•Why is this test important? It tells you if your treatment plan has controlled your blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months.

2 Finger-Stick Test For testing your own blood sugar

• What does this test measure? Your blood sugar at the time you test it.

• How often is this test done? Some people check 3 times a day or more. Some check once a day. Ask your doctor what is right for you.

• What is a good test result? The best results are: Before meals: 70-130 mg/dl 1-2 hours after meals: less than 180 mg/dl

• Why is this test important? It tells you if your treatment plan is controlling your blood sugar right now.

• Where is this test done? At home or wherever you happen to be. You can do this test yourself.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Your results may be different. Ask your doctor what results

are best for you.

Date 04/04

04/05

Before Breakfast 6:10 AM 100 mg/dl 6:15 AM 115 mg/dl

Before Lunch 12:30 PM 110 mg/dl 12:30 PM 110 mg/dl

Before Dinner 5:40 PM 95 mg/dl 6:00 PM 100 mg/dl

Before Bedtime 10:00 PM 125 mg/dl