dLife Bookshelf

Facts About Monitoring

When to Test

Choose test times by what you want to learn from or do with the number.

• Fasting and before meal tests mostly reflect the background insulin. If BG is high several hours after eating, it means you either make or take too little insulin to keep blood sugar in check at that time.
• After meal tests reflect the match between food and insulin. High readings an hour or two after eating show that you either make or take too little insulin for that meal or that your insulin isn’t acting at the right time.
• Middle of the night tests show the pattern of blood sugars over night and can reveal unknown lows.
• Tests before driving, exercising, etc. tell you where you stand at critical times.

The Bottom Line

Always remember…the Ark was built by amateurs. The Titanic was built by professionals.

And everyone knows which one sank!

Learn all you can about your diabetes. It’s the only way to sail home safely. Your health professionals can help – but they can’t sail your diabetes ship for you. We hope what you’ve learned here will make your life with diabetes easier, safer and much more satisfying!