If you have diabetes, you may be able to control it with diet and lifestyle changes, or you may need to take insulin to keep your blood sugar level in a normal range. Checking your blood sugar frequently is one way to make sure that your medication is working and that you are not in danger of complications from blood sugar levels that are too high or too low.
A1C Test
The A1C test is a blood test that your doctor performs. It tells her how your blood sugar level has changed over the course of the past 2 to 3 months. This test needs to be repeated every year, but your doctor may ask you to have it done more frequently if your diabetes is not well-controlled, if you need to have your insulin or other medication dosages changed, or if you are pregnant.
Home Blood Sugar Tests
Your doctor will tell you how often to check your blood sugar level at home. The at-home blood glucose test tells you what your blood sugar level is at the time of the test. If you take insulin, MayoClinic.com recommends testing 1 to 3 times per day, depending on your doctor's advice. He might ask you to test more frequently if you were just diagnosed with diabetes, just started taking insulin, if you are prone to having high or low blood sugar that does not cause recognizable symptoms, or if you recently changed your dose of insulin.
A1C Results
According to the National Diabetes Education Program, the A1C test target result is usually under 7 mmol/L. Your doctor will tell you what your target result is, and whether your blood glucose level is above or below that. If it is higher than your target, you may need to change your medication or lifestyle and repeat the test. A high A1C test result could put you at higher risk for kidney, eye or heart complications.
Home Test Results
Your home blood test glucose results will vary depending on the time of day that you test and when you last ate. Your target may range from 4 to 10 mmol/L; your doctor will let you know what your targets are for the different times during the day. If you are pregnant or if your medication regimen has recently changed, your targets may also change. If you are having trouble keeping your blood sugar rates within your target range, call your doctor promptly.
