Know Your

Blood Sugar

Numbers

If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar 

(glucose) numbers in your target range can help 

you feel good today and stay healthy in the future.

A program of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
There are two ways to measure blood sugar.

1 The A1C is a lab test that measures your average blood sugar 

level over the last 2 to 3 months. It shows whether your blood 

sugar stayed close to your target range most of the time, or

was too high or too low.

2 Self-tests are the blood sugar checks you do yourself. They

show what your blood sugar is at the time you test. 

Both ways help you and your health care team to get a 

picture of how your diabetes care plan is working.

2

 “I bring my self-test 

record when I visit 

my doctor. We talk 

about what makes 

my blood sugar go 

up or down and 

what to do about it.”

About the A1C test 

Why should I have an A1C 

test? The A1C tells you and your 

health care team how well your diabetes 

care plan worked over the last 2 to 3 

months. It also helps decide the type 

and amount of diabetes medicine

you need.

What is a good A1C target for 

me? For many people with diabetes, 

the A1C target is below 7. You and your 

health care team will decide on an A1C 

target that is right for you.

If your A1C stays too high, it may 

increase your chances of having eye, 

kidney, nerve, and heart problems. 

How often do I need an A1C?

You need an A1C at least twice a year. 

You need it more often if it is too high, 

if your diabetes treatment changes, or if 

you plan to become pregnant.

What if I plan to become 

pregnant? Talk with your doctor 

before you get pregnant. Your doctor can 

help you reach an A1C target that allows 

a healthy baby to develop. If you are 

already pregnant, see your doctor

right away.
“I drink water 

instead of soda 

to help keep my 

blood sugar 

in my target 

range.”

About self-tests for blood sugar 

Why should I do self-tests? 

Self-tests can help you learn how being 

active, having stress, taking medicine 

and eating food can make your blood 

sugar go up or down. They give you the 

facts you need to make wise choices as 

you go through the day. 

Keep a record of your results. Look for 

times when your blood sugar is often too 

high or too low. Talk about your results 

with your health care team at each visit. 

Ask what you can do when your sugar is 

out of your target range.

How do I check my blood 

sugar? Blood sugar meters use a small 

drop of blood to tell you how much sugar 

is in your blood at that moment. Ask 

your health care team how to get the 

supplies you need. They will also show 

you how to use them.

What is a good target range 

for my self-tests? Many people 

with diabetes aim to keep their blood 

sugar between 70 and 130 before meals. 

About 2 hours after a meal starts, they 

aim for less than 180. Your target ranges 

may be different if you are an older adult 

(over 65), have other health problems 

like heart disease, or your blood sugar 

often gets too low. Talk with your health 

care team about the best target range

for you.

Can my blood sugar get too 

low? Yes it can. If you feel shaky, 

sweaty, or hungry, do a check to 

see if it is below your target range. 

Carry something sweet with you at all 

times, such as 4 hard candies or glucose 

tablets. If your blood sugar is too low, eat 

the candy or glucose tablets right away. 

Let your health care team know if this 

happens often. Ask how you can

prevent it. 

How often should I check my 

blood sugar?

Self-tests are often done 

before meals, after meals, 

and at bedtime. People who 

take insulin need to check 

more than those who do 

not take insulin. Discuss 

your self-test schedule with 

your health care team.

3
Are there other numbers I 

need to know? 

Yes, you need tests of your blood pressure and cholesterol (a blood fat). You 

and your health care team need to decide the best targets for these too. Keeping them in your target range can help 

lower your chances for having a heart 

attack or stroke.

How do I pay for these tests?

Medicare and most insurance pay for 

the A1C, cholesterol, and some self-test 

supplies. Check with your insurance 

plan or ask your health care team for 

help. For more on Medicare visit

www.medicare.gov/health/diabetes.asp.

What is in it for me? 

Finding the time to check your blood 

sugar can be a struggle. It is also hard 

when your sugar levels do not seem 

to match your efforts to manage your 

diabetes. Keep in mind that your selftest and A1C results are numbers to help 

you, not to judge you. Many people find 

that self-testing and using the results to 

manage their diabetes pays off. They are 

more able to take charge of their diabetes so that they can feel good today and 

stay healthy in the future.

John visits his health care team

John and his health care team use all of his test 

results to get a picture of how his diabetes care 

plan is working. 

At each visit, John and his team:

■ Look at his A1C, blood sugar self-test record, 

cholesterol, and blood pressure results.

■ Check to see if he is reaching all his targets. 

At his visit today, John’s A1C is too high. He and his 

health care team talk about what he can do to get 

closer to his target A1C. 

Together they decide that John will:

■ Increase his walking time to 30 minutes 

every day after dinner.

■ Self-test at bedtime to see if being 

more active lowers his blood sugar.

Call his doctor in 1 month for a 

change in medicine if his

self-tests are still out of

his target range. 

■

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For more information:

1-888-693-NDEP 

(1-888-693-6337)

TTY: 1-866-569-1162

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National 

Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is jointly sponsored by 

the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the support of 

more than 200 partner organizations.

Martha M. Funnell, M.S., R.N., C.D.E., Michigan Diabetes 

Research and Training Center, Ann Arbor, MI, reviewed 

this material for technical accuracy.

The NDEP prints on recycled paper with bio-based ink.

Revised July 2014 

NIH Publication No. 12-4350 

NDEP-10