Research
shows that keeping blood
glucose close to normal reduces diabetes complications. For better
diabetes care, need to maintain glucose level at target.
Two different
tests available for blood glucose measurement
- The blood glucose test can be done at home
using blood glucose monitor called self monitoring of blood glucose
(SMBG).
- The A1C test gives an average blood glucose
level over the last 3
months. It is the best way to know your overall blood glucose control
performance. This test otherwise called as hemoglobin A-1-C or
H-b-A-1-C.
For
effective diabetes treatment need to use both the A1C and
SMBG to get a complete picture of blood glucose control.
Home Blood
glucose monitoring
(Best Test
for Day-to-Day glucose level monitoring)
- Monitoring
blood glucose helps to see how food, physical activity, and medicine
affect the blood glucose levels. The readings can help to manage
diabetes day to day or even hour to hour. Keep a record of the test
results and review it at each visit with the health care team.
- Learn to test by yourself - Be sure and confirm
with your health
care team that you are performing the test in a correct way. Also, know
whether the meter gives the results as plasma or whole blood glucose.
- Blood glucose goals for most diabetics are
shown in below table for
both plasma and whole blood values. Confirm what is your glucose meter
output format is?
- Test frequency – Blood glucose test usually
done before meals, after
meals, and or at bedtime. Insulin users usually need to test more often
than non-insulin’s. Ask your health care team for test frequency.
- Home blood glucose monitoring is for day to day
diabetic care, still need the A1C test for long term diabetes
care.
The A1C Test
(Best test
for Long-Term blood glucose monitoring)
- A1C
test is a simple test that gives average blood glucose level over the
last 3 months. A blood sample to check A1C can be taken at any time.
- A1C test is the best test to judge
effectiveness of the diabetes treatments.
- For most people with diabetes, the good A1C
goal is less than 7.
- A1C test should be done at least twice a year.
Get the test more often
(once in three months) if the blood glucose stays too high or if your
treatment plan changes.
