Type 2 Diabetes

Checking Your Blood Sugar

Checking (monitoring) your blood sugar regularly helps you see how your treatment program is working. It also tells you if your blood sugar is high or low, so you can take action to return it to a healthier range. Make checking your blood sugar a part of your daily routine.

Checking at Home

To check your blood sugar, you use a blood glucose meter. This machine measures the amount of glucose in a small drop of your blood. There are many meters with different features. Some can store data and be downloaded to a computer. Your healthcare provider will help you choose a meter and learn to use it. Together, you'll also work out blood glucose target ranges (healthier blood sugar ranges to aim for). You'll also agree on when and how often you'll check your blood sugar. In certain situations, your healthcare team may also advise you to check for ketones in your blood or urine.

Watching for Patterns

Keep records (a log ) of your blood sugar readings. A log helps you watch for patterns in your blood sugar. Bring your log to your medical appointments to review with your healthcare team. The log can help you find problems so you can better manage your blood sugar.