Know Your

Blood Sugar 

Numbers

If you have diabetes, keeping your blood 

glucose (sugar) numbers in your target 

range can help you feel good today and 

stay healthy in the future. 
1 The A1C is a lab test that measures your average blood glucose level 

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

close to your target range most of the time, or was too high or too low.

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

They show what your blood glucose 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.

About the A1C test 

Why should I have an A1C test? How often do I need an A1C?

The A1C tells you and your health You need an A1C at least twice a 

care team how well your diabetes year. You need it more often if it is 

care plan worked over the last 2 to 3 too high, if your diabetes treatment 

months. It also helps decide the type changes, or if you plan to become 

and amount of diabetes medicine pregnant.

you need. What if I plan to become 

What is a good A1C target for pregnant? Talk with your doctor 

me? For many people with diabetes, before you get pregnant. Your 

the A1C target is below 7. You and doctor can help you reach an A1C 

your health care team will decide on target that allows a healthy baby to 

an A1C target that is right for you. develop. If you are already pregnant, 

see your doctor right away. If your A1C stays too high, it may 

increase your chances of having eye, 

kidney, nerve, and heart problems. 

 “I bring my self-test 

record when I visit 

my doctor. We talk 

about what makes my 

blood glucose go up 

or down and what to 

do about it.”

There are two ways to measure blood glucose.

2
lf-tests are of

after meals, 

ople who 

 check 

ho do 

se. 

3

About self-tests for blood glucose 

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 glucose 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 glucose 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 glucose is out of your 

target range.

How do I check my blood glucose?

Blood glucose meters use a small drop 

of blood to tell you how much glucose 

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 

glucose between 70 and 130 before 

meals. About 2 hours after a meal 

starts, they aim for less than 180. 

Talk with your health care team 

about the best target range for you.

Can my blood glucose 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 glucose 

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 glucose? Se ten 

done before meals,

and at bedtime. Pe

take insulin need to

more than those w

not take insulin. Test 

whenever you want to 

know your blood gluco

“I drink water 

instead of soda 

to help keep my 

blood glucose in 

my target range.”
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 blood 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 glucose can be a struggle. 

It is also hard when your glucose 

levels do not seem to match your 

efforts to manage your diabetes. 

Keep in mind that your self-test 

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:

n	 Look at his A1C, self blood glucose test record, 

cholesterol, and blood pressure results. 

n	 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:

n	 Increase his walking time to 

30 minutes every day before dinner.

n	 Self-test after dinner to see if being 

more active lowers his blood glucose.

n	 Call his doctor in 1 month for a 

change in medicine if his selftests 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

HHS’ NDEP is jointly sponsored by NIH and 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 February 2011 

NIH Publication No. 11-4350 

NDEP-10