People with Type-1 Diabetes are very vulnerable to any type of disaster event. These diabetics are entirely dependent on insulin to live. They are also dependent on battery powered glucose meters/test strips to monitor blood sugar, and battery powered insulin pumps or a supply of syringes to self-medicate. Additionally – insulin supplies must be kept refrigerated or their life expectancy will decrease.

Those with type-1 diabetes are especially challenged when planning their preparations:

Supplies – you need to have stocked up enough testing equipment, insulin, and methods of administrating the insulin for however long you anticipate the “event” to take place.

Storage of supplies must be correct – all supplies must be kept dry, sanitary and insulin must be refrigerated/cooled.

Stress from a disaster situation can cause blood sugars to be erratic – meaning that blood sugars must be monitored closer and more often than during normal times.

First – preparing a “diabetes survival kit” involves having a cooler available to fill with ice/ice packs once the power goes out to store all insulin. Additionally – a 12V refrigerator must be available as a back up to the cooler just in case the power is out past the life of the ice. Modern insulin shelf life is drastically shortened if left at room temperature. 12V refrigerators can be purchased for around $80 and plug into a 12V plug in an automobile. This is critical.

Second – a small backpack or fanny pack filled with the rest of your supplies must be organized. This fanny pack contains syringes, insulin pump sites, insulin cartridges, batteries, alcohol pads, lancets, spare pump, at least 2 glucose meters, test strips, and at least 2 “stickers” for obtaining blood droplet. The total amount of supplies really depends on what you are preparing for.

Third – it is very important that a Glucagon Emergency Kit is available as well as candy or glucose tablets in case blood sugar drops dangerously low. All members of your group need to know what to do in case blood sugar drops to extreme low numbers.

Anyone that has read the fantastic book “One Second After” clearly understands the importance of stockpiling and maintaining supplies for those type-1 diabetics in your group or family. It is rather simple – without insulin – they will die. Supplies must be stockpiling and backup systems for caring for those supplies must be put in place.

One problem that is confronted by most all “survivalist” diabetics involves getting extra supplies. Due to needing a prescription for insulin – you cannot simply buy extra. Talk to your doctor and ask them to write the prescriptions for a little higher than anticipated use so as to build a back up supply. Extra glucose meters can often be obtained for free from doctors – or purchased for very little money at Wal-Mart, pharmacies, and the internet. Test strips are very expensive. Again – ask your doctor to overwrite your prescription by 50 test strips per month to build your supply. Tell your doctor that you have to supply school as well at home possibly. Often test strips can be found on eBay at a great discount. Also “store brand” testers and test strips can be purchased on sale and on clearance.

Below is an example checklist for a typical person with Type-1 Diabetes considering a 3 month supply level:

2 Glucose Meters w/3 extra batteries

3 months Test Strips (blood tests per day x 90 days = test strip qty)

30 Insulin Insertion Sights

2 Sight Serters

1 Alcohol Pads/box

2 months of insulin used daily

3 month Syringes (shots per day x 90 days = syringe strip qty)

2 Insulin Pumps – if used

3 months Insulin Cartridges – if used

Some diabetics take more than 1 type of insulin. No matter your regimen, it is important that you have extra supplies as well as a method to safely store them until things return to normal.

On a final note – it is important that diabetics take care of themselves before a disaster strikes as well as after. During a disaster is not the time to begin to experience complications with diabetes that was preventable with the correct behavior before the disaster struck. You also would not want to experience a low blood sugar in the midst of a fire fight either. Checking your blood sugar regularly, eating right, and effective insulin dosing is critical to short term and well as long term health.

By: Keith Wilkins

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Are you a diabetic and have no health insurance? I pity you since the average person with diabetes spends somewhere in the neighborhood of $13,000 a year on health costs. Compare this with the $2,500 a person without the disease spends and you can see why we are between a rock and a hard place with out health insurance. Obviously finding low cost diabetic supplies is mandatory for us.

I was personally turned down for health insurance coverage because I was considered “pre-diabetic” because it runs in my family. Every once in a while I will check my blood sugar with my wife’s glucose monitor and I have always been in a good range. I wonder how many others are stuck with no insurance or inadequate insurance to cover the high cost of their diabetes supplies. There must countless thousands in the same boat as I am. If I ever do come down with diabetes my insurance will not cover it.

I mentioned that I used my wife’s monitor, she does have diabetes and needs to check her glucose levels daily and as you may well know sometimes three or four times a day. The Glucose monitors last for a long time but finding low cost test strips can be a chore especially when you go through better than 50 a month. We have found that it is best to stay stocked up on them so that we do not have to run out to the pharmacy to grab a high cost bottle of test strips. Finding medical supplies that are in the affordable range can be very difficult and I have found that there are many folks who just figure that they are stuck paying the high costs.

By: Dennis Snyder

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There are some ailments that require you to take medications every day for years together. One of these ailments is diabetes or blood sugar. Now there is plethora of blood sugar medication available on the internet, at the pharmacies and at the department stores that promise to control your blood sugar levels efficiently. Besides, another crucial resource of the blood sugar medication is the prescription of the doctors.

The key question is which is a better way of choosing your blood sugar drug – prescription or over the counter products? The answer for sure is the prescription.

Here are the details that would help you analyze the same

Diabetes is the condition where the patient suffers with a loss of insulin. The level of sugar (or glucose) in their blood is quite high as compared to the required amount. But the medication should be taken on the basis of the actual degree of lack-age. When the doctors prescribe some blood sugar drug to the patient they measure the level of blood glucose several times in a day for many days together and then suggest a medication salt accordingly. One can not even analyze the over the counter (OTC) drugs in this regard. As a result they might harm you in a major way. For instance, one needs to control sugar level by 20 units and the salt reduces 50 units. You can imagine the health loss!

In fact, it would be interesting to mention here that the doctors say that when you buy a prescribed medicine and the chemist offers you some substitute – you should not take it. In stead call up the doctor and tell them the name of the substitute and then do as your doctor says.

The OTC drugs are some times helpful as well. Usually you should not take any chemical medicine with out the doctors’ prescription. There are many herbal drugs available that are helpful in maintaining one’s general health in the diabetic condition. One can buy the herbal blood sugar aids along with the prescribed ones. Any how, you should check with your doctor before taking these as well.

By: Kathy Murray

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Every person that is diabetic recognizes the importance of a glucose meter. It is one device that helps them monitor the sugar levels in their blood. This is just one of the many adjustments in life that one has no choice but to adopt once diagnosed with diabetes. Checking the blood sugar level is an essential activity that requires a diabetic to often prick ones self.

The choice of the type of glucometer to use is an important task for anyone who is diabetic. This is because it is the soul tool that will help you know how well to manage the illness. Efficiency of the glucometer is one factor that comes into play in deciding which glucometer to use. However, the cost is also important. With this in mind, the touch glucose meter review has become one of the most common and pocket friendly choice. It comes in different shapes and sizes.

You surely don’t want to attract very strange stares from people wherever you happen to go. Yet, you need to be constantly checking your blood sugar levels lest something goes a miss. In such a case, you should consider having the Ultramini glucometer. Its shape and small size enables you to conveniently carry it wherever you go without being noticed that you actually have it.

With all the odds that diabetes adds in one’s life, it is only fair not to add the extra burden of carrying a bulky glucometer. Such big glucometers would obviously dilute the taste of fashion adding to the emotional strains a diabetic already bears. The Ultramini glucometer saves all these strains as it can comfortably fit in one’s pocket. Besides, it comes in various colors to suit your style.

The simplicity of operating the Ultramini glucometer is also something to make one make it his choice. Whether you are advancing in age or still in your youthful years, using the two only navigation buttons on the device will pose no challenge at all.

By: Adam Christin

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Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of insulin (a hormone that your body relies upon to convert blood sugar into energy) in the body. But how can you test for diabetes and see whether you have contracted the disease yourself? The best way is to go and see your doctor and ask them to test you. They will then be able to give you an accurate diagnosis. In this article I will discuss four of the most popular diabetes tests that your doctor is likely to use.

1) FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE (FPG) TEST:- The FPG test has become one of the most popular diabetes tests. The main drawback with the FPG test is that it is not suitable to test for gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes which develops during pregnancy). However, if you are not pregnant the chances are that your doctor will use this test to make their diagnosis.

To begin you will be scheduled in for a FPG test. Your doctor will require you to eat nothing for at least eight hours prior to the test. During the test they will take a blood sample and measure your blood glucose levels. They will then analyse the blood sample and diagnose you based on the following rules:

- A blood sugar level of 99 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) or less = Normal.
- A blood sugar level of between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).
- A blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or greater = Type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In this instance you will be given another FPG for accuracy. If both FPGs suggest that you have diabetes your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes

2) ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT):- This test is similar to the FPG but it can be used to diagnose all types of diabetes. If you are a man or non-pregnant woman your doctor will book you in for an FPG test. Following the FPG test they will then give you a drink containing glucose and take regular blood samples after you have drank it. If you are pregnant you will be given the glucose drink without an FPG test and regular blood samples will be taken following consumption. In both variations the final blood sample will be used to make a diagnosis based on the following rules:

- A blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or less = Normal.
- A blood sugar level of between 140 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL = Impaired Fasting Glucose (a form of pre-diabetes which if left untreated can develop into type 2 diabetes).
- A blood sugar reading of 200 mg/dL or greater = Type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes. If you are a pregnant woman then you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Otherwise your doctor will investigate further and diagnose you with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

3) RANDOM BLOOD GLUCOSE (RBG) TEST:- The RBG does exactly what it says and involves a random blood test being taken. RBG tests can be performed without the assistance of your doctor using a glucose meter (a piece of medical equipment that calculates the approximate level of glucose in your blood). The test involves pricking your finger with a lancing device (a device which draws a small amount of blood from your finger), placing the blood on a test strip and then inserting this test strip into your glucose meter to get a reading. If multiple RBG tests show that you have blood sugar levels higher than 200 mg/dL then you may have diabetes.

Although RBG tests are easy to perform they should NOT be used as the only test when diagnosing diabetes. They are approximately 10% as accurate as laboratory tests and therefore any concerns you may have as the result of multiple RBG tests should be followed up with your doctor. Only your doctor will be able to give you a full and accurate diagnosis.

4) GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN TEST:- Glycosylated haemoglobin is the term used to describe haemoglobin that has bound with glucose. Glycosylated haemoglobin cells usually last for between two to four months. If you have diabetes or you are not managing your diabetes effectively the level of glycosylated haemoglobin in your blood will increase. To begin the gylcosylated haemoglobin test your doctor will take a blood sample and analyse the glycosylated haemoglobin levels based on the following results:

- Glycosylated haemoglobin levels of between 4% and 6% = Normal.
- Glycosylated haemoglobin levels below 7% = Diabetes that is under control.
- Glycosylated haemoglobin levels greater than 7% = Diabetes that is not under control.

I hope this article has shown you that there are multiple tests available to determine whether or not you have diabetes. However, you must remember that these tests are useless unless performed under the supervision of a doctor or other qualified medical professional. Many factors can affect your test results and your doctor will be able to look at all the relevant factors and then make an accurate diagnosis. If you think you may have diabetes and want a solid answer then go see your doctor and get yourself tested today.

Every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative but it is intended for general information only. Diabetes is a medical condition and this article is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your doctor or a qualified medical practitioner. If you have any concerns regarding any form of diabetes you should seek the advice of your doctor immediately.

By: Thomas Parker

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Well if you have diabetes then you will know that how important it can be to have you blood sugar monitored daily. You can do it in more efficiently these days by using glucose meters. Glucose meter vendors are just like simple soda companies who offer you free soda machine but still charge you for their material and chemicals. Similarly you can get a free glucose monitor but buying test strips can be tricky.

Health insurance is the best way to get your test stripes for free but I you do not have health insurance then it can cost you a lot of money. Many companies provide you with free glucose monitors but you can think of them again just like soda making companies. They give you their device free just to sell you their other products.

Then you will think will it be wise to get such free glucose meter? Well answer is yes because it can save you some part of your money and if you have health insurance then you can do great. Free glucose monitor will help you in your daily life to control your sugar level up to some extent.

If you still not satisfied with the deal then you can go to your local pharmacy and order one glucose meter. It will cost you no more than 75 to 80 USD. You can order online too with same price. Telling you the truth free glucose monitors will be better than your bought ones as they are made purely for testing procedure.

By: Adam Christin

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The glucose meter or blood sugar meter is an important electronic device for diabetes patients. Blood glucose may fluctuate very often, demanding 3 to 10 blood tests per day. It is important to conduct blood tests safely and correctly, to minimize pain, avoid retesting and encourage patients to check more regularly.

1. Sanitize before testing. Wash hands with soap and water, and then rinse it well. Sanitize the lancet by dipping it in alcohol. Many testing kits have pre-sanitized lancets.

2. Place the meter on a flat surface, preferably on top of the table. Uneven surface and shaking may affect the results of some models.

3. Get a test strip and put it on the glucose meter. Read the instructions and follow the marks on how to properly interface the strip with the tester.

4. Before piercing, shake or massage your fingers to stimulate better blood circulation. It will also help to dip your hands in warm water for a few seconds.

5. Pierce the tip or sides of your finger with the lancet. Put the blood sample on the test strip, or maintain the contact between the finger and the strip (as instructed). Just supply the right blood amount.

6. Wait for the device to finish analyzing your blood. In a few seconds, the results will be displayed on its LCD. Then, record the results in a log book. Many modern testers can store data and even upload the logs to computers.

7. Perform necessary actions or contact the doctor depending on the results of the test.

8. For your next tests, it is advised to use another finger. Rotation between fingers will not cause one to be hypersensitive to pain. You can also use the sides of your fingers, instead of the tips, since there are less nerve endings there. You may also consider obtaining blood from other body parts if your glucose meter supports “alternate site testing.”

By: Janine Seoldier

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Selecting the right diabetes meter from the great variety available in the current market can be quite confusing and exhausting. You are expecting to acquire a device that provides accurate and fast results but at the same time, you don’t want to go through a headache every time you use the gadget. Price is another issue that has to do a lot with your choice.

Three diabetes meters are considered to be the best in the market after researching widely on price, accuracy and ease of use. Let’s see all pros and cons of these glucose meters and then you’ll be able to choose correctly.

First Accu Check, which is one of the best sugar meters as it is accurate, easy to use and readings are quite easy for its large display. But there’s a drawback. It’s a big unit and portability becomes complicated.

Then we have Precision Xtra. It is also very accurate, fast and portable, although it’s not really easy to operate as it has a great deal of functions. Users have to read the manual and develop a little practice before operating the device successfully. So if you’re not very fond of sophisticated gadgets then your option will have to be different.

And the last but not the worst is One Touch Mini. It is a very attractive meter for its low price, accuracy, portability, and easy operation. It doesn’t have as many functions as the two above but it still gives excellent results.

You may have noticed that it’s important to consider certain details in order to make a good decision before investing your money on a glucose meter that will be a sort of partner on your everyday life. There’s much more about diabetes meters. Do you want to have further information?

By: Josefine Haller

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Since the discovery of diabetes, patients tend to go to hospitals or clinics just to take their blood sugar tests. Aside from being time consuming, it also costs expensive since you need to pay both for the test and the doctor. This traditional method is not convenient to this unpredictable illness. Portable glucose meter or Glucometer is made to measure your blood sugar level conveniently. Most of them are now handy for you to use anywhere and anytime you need to.

There are various kinds of glucometers available in the market. It varies from the standard specifications and optional features it offer. Take in consideration the following to ensure that your glucometer is of significance to your needs.

• Portability
If you are a frequent traveler, it is recommended to have your glucometer small. There are some units that can fit in a bag while others are palm-sized that can be put in your pockets. However, remember that small is not always the best since the smaller your glucometer is, the smaller the screen it has – which means the details to be conveyed to you is limited. Get the one that is small but have a bigger screen for better viewing of results.

• Accuracy
Check the instructions for the size of the blood sample because results vary from the samples placed in the device. In addition, level of drugs in blood sample and temperature should also be put in consideration.

• Price
The value differs on the brand of glucose meter you wish to purchase. Popular brands are usually durable and have numerous features for accessibility, which are expensive than others. Do not consider a cheaper unit if you know that it will not provide you enough beneficial results. Invest on a better one.

• Adaptability
Search for units that are flexible to supply you accurate details when blood samples are not be available from your fingers like side of your palms, arms and thighs.

• Additional Options
Consider glucometers with different features such as downloadable results to PC, larger memory capacity, daily record, etc.

Look for the glucose meter that will provide you with accurate outcomes. For every blood sugar result, it is advisable to keep a record of it. Include some notes such as the time and the body condition before taking the test. By making this chart, you will be able to conclude the results of your medications and you can review it with your physician for further analysis.

By: Janine Seoldier

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If you or someone you know is living with diabetes or any condition that affects blood sugar, you probably already know about blood glucose levels and how important it is to test them with a glucose meter. Those tester help you to keep levels within a specified range.

Blood sugar meters are vital for good health when you are living with any condition that can affect, or be affected by, your blood sugar. Most people know that different foods can affect your blood sugar (sweets and carbohydrates being the most widely-known culprits), but did you know that different activities can also vary your glucose level?

Exercise is a good way to reduce it, a sedentary lifestyle and stress can increase it. There is even some anecdotal evidence that drinking chlorinated water can affect your body’s ability to process sugar. And of course if you are using medication (especially something new), use of your meter is vital to make sure the medications are working properly, and that you are taking the correct dosage.

Ask your doctor about how often you should use your meter. Sometimes it can be worth just having the peace of mind. There are all kinds of meters available, though all involve taking a tiny sample of blood and analyzing it, don’t worry they are almost pain-free. There are some that will even talk to you!

As you can see, it’s so important to have and so easy to get a meter without cost that is worth a little research in this subject, plus how to get diabetic supplies at little or not cost.

By: Hector Milla

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In order to sum things up, today I will be talking about diabetes testing supplies. More specifically, freestyle test strips and glucose monitors and their features. I have been through so many obstacles as a diabetic with so many different topics. So, today I would like to simply address a few of them. Please know that this article is not intended to be taken as medical advice. This article pertains only to my experiences and such. Anyways, lets get started!

I have had several different blood glucose monitoring systems over my diabetic career and this one has by far been my favorite. I do not work for the freestyle blood glucose monitoring system company in any way, I have just been really satisfied with their product. I have had one touch and contour supplies in the past and was happy with them as well. This one has given my some very accurate results. I have not had any troubles with readings so far. The diagnostics test with the little bottle of “fake blood” as I call it turned out to be accurate. I am referring to the bottle that comes with the meter that is supposed to be used as a calibrations test. I put the solution onto the test strip and then got a reading. On the test strip bottle, there is a range that the reading that I got should be in, if not, then that is supposed to suggest that there is a defect with the monitoring system or the glucose test strips.

I am not totally sure if all of this is correct, but I think that it is. Anyways, the reading that I got with the solution was within the specified range. As for the freestyle meter, everything has been accurate and great. The test strips that are supposed to be used with it have worked great as well. They require only a small amount of blood in order to get a reading. I am so glad that the diabetes testing supply companies have started improving this part. A long time ago, I used to have to put more blood in the strip to get a reading and many times would not get enough and an error message would come up. This meant that I would have to do it all over again in order to get my blood glucose reading. So far, I have not gotten a single error message, and hopefully it will stay that way! I do not like having to throw away those expensive little things! If you would like to learn more about the freestyle glucose meter then you should check out their website. There is a lot of interesting information about it there.

By: Bill Ridger

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What are glucose meters?

Glucose meters are usually small battery-operated devices, which make it convenient for people to check their glucose levels anywhere. Most work by “reading” a drop of blood the consumer has positioned on a disposable test strip. Glucose meters are used by huge numbers of people with diabetes every day. They have grown to be smaller, faster, and much more accurate over the past 30 years and now permit better glycemic control by diabetics than previously. Glucose monitors are getting more sophisticated (and more expensive!). Many now include a range of additional features, for example expanded memory to store blood results, a chance to record insulin dosage, as well as computer compatibility to connect with companion software packages that may log data on medication dosages, exercise, food, and more.

How big can they be?

Most are usually small battery-operated devices, which make it convenient for individuals to check on their glucose levels anywhere. Most work by “reading” a drop of blood the consumer has placed on a disposable test strip. Glucose monitors are used by millions of people with diabetes every day. These devices have become smaller, faster, and much more accurate in the last 3 decades and today allow for better glycemic control by diabetics than in the past.

What features do they have?

They are largely differentiated based on their features. Included in this are blood sample size required, test time, memory capability, ability to download results into data management software, and capability to perform alternate site testing (e.g., forearm). Glucose monitors are not only used by diabetics in your own home, they are also utilized by medical service providers in a number of settings such as hospitals, emergency response units, nursing facilities, and physicians’ offices. Some within the clinical and patient communities have questioned if the current FDA-recognized accuracy standards for blood glucose meters are acceptable and also have challenged FDA to require tighter performance standards. Glucose meters are a very important part in your life as a person with diabetes, but that makes the typical glucose meter forget about of a confusion than it needs to be. There are a few simple tips to using your blood glucose meter that makes it easy, fast, and relatively pain-free as well as accurate.

What are test strips and how do they work?

Strips may also have a code number of a specific supply; this code should be entered into the meter therefore it can accurately analyze the blood sample. Strip that’s been expired will provide an inaccurate test results. Strip that’s been opened from the package must be spent within certain of time frame. Strips should be opened only if the patient is ready for the test. Otherwise, they should be kept in a closed vial or unopened foil wrapper at room temperature. Strips are disposable and hence may be used once. Quality or size these strips could also vary and depends upon batch production.

By: Adam Christin

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You can’t go wrong with the OneTouch UltraMini Glucose Meter. Dealing with type 1 diabetes for over a decade now, I have used many Glucometers. Some bulky yet easy to use and read, others compact but harder to read, others still failing at ease of use and complicated to code when changing strips.

For the most part, all have done exactly what they should, though being diagnosed at a young age made me stick out like a sore thumb with some of the larger glucometers. This is all to say that I have used many free glucose meter offers trying to find the one that was right for me, recently settling on the OneTouch UltraMini.

The Ultramini is by far the best glucometer I have received from a free glucose meter offer, more so than that it is easily one of the best I have ever owned. All around I would highly recommended the Miniultra to anyone looking for an easy to use, easy to read and compact Glucometer.

A couple of my favorite things about this meter (and this is from purely an aesthetic point of view) are its colors and shape, honestly it’s small enough to fit easily in my pocket, and comes in six different colors. Mine is silver, but it also comes in blue, green, black, purple, and red. The aesthetics may seem less than mandatory, but these are the things that make it far less conspicuous than most. Considering all of that, it also has a very high-test memory of 500 that’s also important.

By: Adam Christin

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People who suffer from diabetes have to deal with many complicated situations in their life. They have to pay constant attention to various factors that could have an impact their health. They also have to maintain a constant and accurate record of their blood sugar level. What they eat has an impact on their health. Therefore, they must keep a close eye on the food they eat and must follow a strict diet routine. People who suffer from diabetes must also have a regular exercise routine that will help in controlling their weight and prevent an increase in their blood sugar levels.

Visiting your doctor everyday to check your blood sugar level is difficult. It is a good idea to have a diabetes meter at home that will help you check your blood sugar level at your convenience. These meters are usually easy to use and don’t require specialized knowledge to operate them.

When buying diabetes blood glucose meter is it important that you figure out how you plan to use the meter. You must figure out whether you will carry the meter with you when you travel or whether you will use the meter at the same place. You must also figure out the features that you want in your meter. For instance come meters come with the facility to store the reading. You can use this facility to store the reading that will help you analyze the benefit of the treatment that you are receiving. If you don’t have this facility in your meter, you will have to manually take down your reading.

At times, companies that sell diabetes blood glucose meter offer freebies with the meter that you buy. So make you check out the prices charged and the freebies offered by both online and offline vendors.

By: Abhishek Choudhari

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Monitoring your glucose ranges is very important and must be done on a regular basis (especially if you are a diabetic). One of the best ways to monitor your glucose is to use a diabetes blood sugar level chart.

Glucose is the main fuel that your body uses to produce energy. Without it your body won’t function properly (just like an automobile). The chart that I’m about to show you will be very helpful to you as it will help you monitor when problems occur and if there are any patterns of your readings. The patterns will become very clear to you (as you learn how your own body works) and you will be able to discuss them more clearly and effectively with your health professional. It is crucial that you know kind of events, food, activities, and medications may cause your blood sugar to increase or decrease.

You should work closely with your health care provider to ensure that you are meeting your goals. He will provide a meter tool for you to help you keep track of your levels. You should familiarize yourself on how to use the meter.

Diabetes Blood Sugar Chart – Normal Blood Glucose Ranges

Upon waking up (and before breakfast), your levels should be between 80 and 120. This is considered to be a healthy range.

Before meals your levels should also be between 80 and 120.

Two hours after you eat meals, your levels should be 170 or less.

Before lunch, it should drop back down to 80-120.

Before you go to bed, it is ideal to be between 100 and 140.

At 3am (while sleeping), it is ideal to be between 70 and 110.

While fasting, it is ideal that you stay in the 70 to 100 range.

The numbers from this chart will help give you a good idea of normal blood glucose ranges; however, you may want to ask your health care provider where exactly your range should be at (during each of the above events). It is important to receive frequent testing as this can reduce the risk of having complications from your diabetes.

By: Todd Perkins

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