Controlling Your Blood Sugar (Glucose Level)

One of the main goals in diabetic treatment is to control your blood sugar level by keeping it as close to normal as possible. People without diabetes normally have blood sugar levels that range between 70 and 115 mg/dL (milligrams of sugar for every 100 milliliters of blood). With diabetes, you have to work to do what your body once did by itself. But it's worth the effort. You feel your best when your blood sugar is normal or close to normal.

Work with your doctor and diabetes educator to learn how to use one of the many types of blood glucose meters that are available for personal use. Ask your doctor or diabetes educator what your testing schedule should be. You may be asked to test before meals and at bedtime. Also, research suggests that testing your blood sugar after meals is a good way to find out how well you are controlling your diabetes. Keep track of your results in a diary and take it with you for your office visits so your doctor can check for any trends.