Blood glucose monitoring is an essential part of life for those who take insulin to manage type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and it’s the primary way to tell if your blood sugar levels are within target range. For diabetics who measure their glucose levels several times a day with a blood glucose meter, a blood sugar log is an invaluable tool. By consistently recording and reviewing your blood sugar levels, you and your healthcare provider can identify patterns and develop an effective diabetes care plan. Over time, this plan can be improved based on how your blood sugar responds to food, medication, and physical activity.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that pre-meal blood sugar level be between and 80 and 130 mg/dL for most non-pregnant adults with diabetes. The recommendation for blood sugar level measured 1-2 hours after a meal is that it is less than 180 mg/dL. However, these target ranges may need to be adjusted for individuals based on age, cardiovascular health, duration of diabetes and other factors. It’s important to speak with your healthcare provider to find out the optimal target ranges for you. We’ve developed a free basic monthly blood sugar log sheet to make your record keeping easier.
To use this blood glucose log effectively, record your blood glucose levels before and 2 hours after each meal and at bed time. Make note of any other factors that may have affected them, including stress or physical activity in the comments section. For access to other detailed diabetes log templates that record insulin doses, carbs consumed, and other variables, consult the Johns Hopkins Patient Guide to Diabetes.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
If you have type 1 diabetes, take insulin or use an insulin pump, check your blood glucose levels several times a day, and require frequent adjustment to your insulin dose, your health insurance plan may help cover the cost of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device. A modern alternative to traditional blood glucose meters, CGM devices don’t require painful fingersticks. Instead, they rely on a small sensor implanted just below the skin to measure and report blood glucose levels every few minutes. This type of system produces many more blood sugar readings than a blood glucose meter, and can help provide you and your healthcare team with a more complete picture of your health. Using CGM is also much easier than creating a glucose logbook by hand. It makes it possible to store your blood glucose data digitally and easily share it with your healthcare provider.
If you’re interested in transitioning from a blood glucose meter to a CGM system, the first step is to consult with your doctor. Only a doctor will be able to advise whether you would benefit from a CGM device and if you meet the requirements for insurance coverage. Aeroflow Healthcare can work directly with your doctor as well as Medicare or private insurance to make sure you receive maximum benefits. Currently we offer both the Dexcom and Freestyle Libre CGM devices, both eligible for coverage by insurance.
Information provided on the Aeroflow Diabetes blog is not intended as a substitute to medical advice or care. Aeroflow Diabetes recommends consulting a doctor if you are experiencing medical issues or concerns.
