Blood sugar lows are caused by too much insulin, not enough food, exercise, alcohol and stress. Symptoms include:. Pre-diabetes is glucose levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetic. A fasting test is down to determine pre-diabetes. After fasting for 14 hours, the lab technician draws your blood. Pauline Gill is a retired teacher with more than 25 years of experience teaching English to high school students.
She holds a bachelor's degree in language arts and a Master of Education degree. Gill is also an award-winning fiction author. Monitor the health of your community here. More Articles. Written by Pauline Gill. Why does brain metabolism not favor burning of fatty acids to provide energy? Call your health care team if your blood sugar is often too high or too low.
Taking action will help you be healthy today and in the future. At each visit, John and his health care team look at his A1C test results, his blood glucose meter and his blood sugar record to see if his treatment is working. John and his health care team talk about what he can do to get closer to his A1C and blood sugar goals. John decides he will be more active. He will:. Work with your health care team and decide what changes you need to make to reach your blood sugar goals.
The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Funnell, M. This tip sheet tells you Why do I need to know my blood sugar numbers?
How is blood sugar measured? How do I check my blood sugar? What are target blood sugar levels for people with diabetes? How often should I check my blood sugar? What should I do if my blood sugar gets too high? What should I do if my blood sugar gets too low?
What do I need to know about the A1C test? What is a good A1C goal for me? How often do I need an A1C test?
How do I pay for these tests and supplies? What if I have trouble getting to my blood sugar goals? John's Story Checking your blood sugar, also called blood glucose, is an important part of diabetes care. This tip sheet tells you: why it helps you to know your blood sugar numbers how to check your blood sugar levels what are target blood sugar levels what to do if your levels are too low or too high how to pay for these tests Why do I need to know my blood sugar numbers?
There are two ways to measure blood sugar. Blood sugar checks that you do yourself. These tell you what your blood sugar level is at the time you test. This test tells you your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. These targets are: Right before your meal: 80 to Two hours after the start of the meal: Below Talk with your health care team about what blood sugar numbers are right for you. If your meter shows that your blood sugar is lower than 70, do one of the following things right away: chew 4 glucose tablets drink 4 ounces of fruit juice drink 4 ounces of regular soda, not diet soda or chew 4 pieces of hard candy After taking one of these treatments, wait for 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar again.
You need to get an A1C test at least 2 times a year. When too many ketones are produced too fast, they can build up in your body and cause diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. DKA is very serious and can cause a coma or even death. Common symptoms of DKA include:. If you think you may have DKA, test your urine for ketones. Follow the test kit directions, checking the color of the test strip against the color chart in the kit to see your ketone level.
If your ketones are high, call your health care provider right away. DKA requires treatment in a hospital. Talk to your doctor about how to keep your blood sugar levels within your target range. Your doctor may suggest the following:. Carbs in food make your blood sugar levels go higher after you eat them than when you eat proteins or fats. You can still eat carbs if you have diabetes. The amount you can have and stay in your target blood sugar range depends on your age, weight, activity level, and other factors.
Counting carbs in foods and drinks is an important tool for managing blood sugar levels. Make sure to talk to your health care team about the best carb goals for you.
The A1C test is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 or 3 months. A1C testing is part of the ABCs of diabetes—important steps you can take to prevent or delay health complications down the road:. Work with your doctor to establish a personal A1C goal for you. Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight , and getting regular physical activity can all help.
Other tips include:. Medicare external icon , Medicaid, and most private insurance plans pay for the A1C test and fasting blood sugar test as well as some diabetes supplies.
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