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Self-monitoring of blood sugar

Overview

Keeping your blood sugar levels within the target range can help reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications.

Self-monitoring your blood sugar levels can help you better understand how food, physical activity and insulin dose affect the levels, and make the necessary changes to optimise your diabetes control.

Blood sugar level targets are individualised in order to prevent risk of hypoglycaemia (too low levels of blood sugar) or other adverse effects associated with blood sugar control that is too tight.

Your blood sugar range depends on: age, lifestyle and overall health. Remember to discuss with your healthcare team if you need to self-monitor your blood sugar, which tools you should use and how often to use it.

When to check blood sugar levels

Before meals
Two hours after meals
Before bedtime
Before and after exercise
When feeling unwell
Other times as necessary, as discussed with your healthcare professional

Why is blood sugar monitoring important?

Gives you a clear idea of your blood sugar level at a given time
Informs whether you have hypoglycaemia (blood sugar too low) or hyperglycaemia (blood sugar too high) at a given time
Tells you how your lifestyle and medication regimen is affecting your blood sugar levels
Helps you and your diabetes healthcare team evaluate and determine the best management strategy for you

How to monitor blood sugar

Blood Glucose Monitor

Blood sugar level can be easily monitored using a Blood Glucose Meter.

Wash your hands with soap and water and dry with tissue. Prick your finger and put a small drop of blood on the meter’s test strip.

Your blood sugar level will appear on the meter within seconds.

A blood glucose meter is usually the least expensive home testing option, but it only reveals your blood sugar level at the time of check.

Flash Glucose Monitor (FGM)

It consists of a sensor and a reader, and depending on the type of sensor, it is placed either at the back of the upper arm, on the abdomen or the upper buttocks.

FGMs can be used up to 14 days. It allows you to view interstitial fluid glucose levels at the time of check and can tell you if your glucose levels are rising, falling or stable.

FGMs can also give you a report on the daily pattern of your glucose levels.

Pros

Does not require blood sugar (finger prick) calibration

Cons

Some do not have alarms
Sensor readings are not automatically synced with the reader. You will need to flash the reader over the sensor to record your glucose readings

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

It consists of a sensor, a transmitter and a receiver. The sensor typically needs to be replaced every 3 to 7 days.

As it collects glucose readings every few minutes, the CGM is able to give you a more complete picture of your glucose profile compared to a blood glucometer.

Pros