Blood Glucose Target Ranges
Do you know the benefits of ensuring that your blood glucose levels are as close to your blood glucose targets as possible? A research found that type 1 diabetics can lessen by a lot the possibility of complications that are linked to their condition, complications which can result in blindness, chronic kidney disease and amputations, by bringing down their blood glucose levels to almost normal levels. There are also studies that show similar benefits for type 2 diabetics.
There is a need to understand that blood glucose targets differ from one person to another and can also change from time to time. You should discuss with your doctor what your blood glucose target is. Doctors refer to guidelines given by the ADA (American Diabetes Association) to work out your blood glucose targets.
(Note: The values are only applicable to adults who are not pregnant. They are averages based on the total number of diabetics in the country. Patients who are non-diabetic, very young, seniors and those with unusual health problems will have to find other targets to aim for.)
According to the table, diabetics ought to have their blood glucose levels inside a target range. Your doctor will have to decide on a target which is right for the condition of your health as well as your lifestyle by taking into consideration the following factors:
- Your readiness to monitor your blood glucose levels often.
- Your readiness to go along with the treatment.
- The possibility of you getting severe hypoglycemia, also how well you know the symptoms.
- Any other health problems you have, like pregnancy, kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease.
When buying blood glucose meters, remember that they show either plasma or whole blood values. You can also find out from the manual if it shows plasma or whole blood.
How to Measure Your Blood Sugar – Mayo Clinic Patient Education – Video Guide
Achieving Your Blood Glucose Target
In order to have your blood glucose within your target range, you can get your doctor to plan your treatment with the following items in mind:
- Monitoring your blood glucose levels.
- Meal plans which are suitable for way of life and are delicious.
- Daily exercise. (see Exercise Prescriptions For Diabetes)
- Medications, including insulin.
- Directions for the prevention and treatment of complications, like low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Further education and better understanding of the treatment.
- Go though the aims of treatment from time to time.
Find out from your doctor when you should submit blood glucose results and when to inform him of low or high blood sugars. Below are some of the things your doctor would like you to report to him.
- A severe case of hypoglycemia in which treatment had to be administered by another person.
- Two or three readings of low blood glucose in a day.
- At least two unexplained hypoglycemia incidents within a week.
- Blood glucose levels which are constantly more than 300 mg/dL for three consecutive days.
- Any sickness in which vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, or fever is experienced.
Blood Glucose Logbook
It is recommended that you have a record or each day’s glucose levels readings in a logbook. Your doctor should be able to supply you with such a logbook.
In the logbook, in one of the spaces allotted, record your sugar levels. Record the dosage of your medicine with any changes to the medication, if any. There is a comment section for you to record whatever changes made in food, types of activities, sicknesses, stress, and any reactions from insulin. You should take along your logbook whenever you see your health care team so that he can evaluate how well you have control over your diabetes. Your logbook should be with you even on vacations.