The goal of any diabetes management regimen is to maintain blood sugar levels in a near-normal range. Your blood sugar meter allows you to see, in real time, if you're meeting that goal.
It also shows you the effects of the daily decisions you make. For example, it can show you how a particular meal or activity or even how stress impacts your blood sugar levels.
And it can show you how well the medications you're taking are helping to control your blood sugar.

Blood Sugar Goals

You and your doctor should decide on individualized blood sugar goals that take into consideration your age and overall health, and whether you have any diabetes complications and/or other medical conditions.
The following are standard goals established by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for most adults with diabetes:
  • Before meals: blood sugar between 70 mg/dl and 130 mg/dl
  • One to two hours after meals: blood sugar lower than 180 mg/dl
  • A1C: lower than 7 percent

How to Monitor

To monitor your blood sugar levels, you'll need a meter, test strips, a lancing device, alcohol swabs, and lancets.
All blood sugar meters come with instructions for operation, and you should review those instructions before you use a new meter.
If you've never used a blood sugar meter, it's helpful to go over how to monitor with a certified diabetes educator or a nurse.

In most cases, you turn on the meter by inserting a test strip. You then have a limited amount of time to lance your fingertip and apply blood to the test strip.
Once an adequate amount of blood is applied, you wait — usually for no more than a few seconds — until your blood sugar reading appears on the meter display.
Record your readings in a paper or digital logbook.

When to Monitor

There's no single correct monitoring schedule for everyone with type 2 diabetes.
In part, it depends on how you control your diabetes: For example, people who use insulin to manage their type 2 diabetes will likely need to monitor more frequently than people who take only pills or who control their diabetes with diet and exercise.
That said, some common times to monitor are:
  • First thing in the morning, before you eat breakfast
  • Just before and two hours after eating a meal
  • Just before and right after exercising
  • At bedtime
  • Before driving, particularly if you use insulin or any other drug that can cause (hypoglycemia) low blood sugar
  • When you feel any symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as light-headedness
  • When you're feeling sick

What to Do With Your Readings

If your blood sugar reading shows that you have hypoglycemia, usually defined as blood sugar lower than 70 mg/dl, you need to take immediate action to raise your blood sugar level by consuming carbohydrates.
If it is very high and you feel sick, consult your sick-day plan (if you have one) or call your doctor's office for advice.
Unless your blood sugar is particularly high or low, an individual reading doesn't tell you a whole lot. Look for patterns, such as high blood sugar nearly every morning or low blood sugar after your weekly yoga class. These patterns can help you determine if your diabetes regimen needs some adjustment.
In some cases, you may be able to adjust your regimen yourself, for example, by altering your meal schedule.

But if you don't know what's causing the patterns you're seeing or don't know what to do about them, don't hesitate to contact your doctor or diabetes educator for help.