Here is an excerpt from the course at
http://www.dsolve.com that answers your question:
When do I test my blood sugars?
In order to find out how well your body is dealing with your diet and any medication you are taking blood sugars need to be taken:
On waking
Immediately before breakfast
Before each meal
Two hours after each meal
At bedtime
How do I use these blood sugar measurements to best effect?
"Eat to meter" is a shortened way to say that you eat to ensure that YOUR BLOOD SUGARS STAY WITHIN YOUR TARGET RANGE.
Many diabetologists genuinely believe that diabetics cannot realistically achieve normal blood sugars. They hope that the best they can do is to monitor the inevitable decline in health that high blood sugars produce long term and sort out the worst of the complications with drugs, lasers and surgery.
There is no doubt that achieving normal blood sugars most of the time requires a lot of personal education, self experimentation, time and effort. Whether this is worth it or not is a decision that you must make. It is after all your eyes, kidneys, feet and heart that are at risk.
Unfortunately the NHS and many other international health care systems do not currently provide an available, affordable and appropriate educational package to help you achieve normal blood sugars. Helping you get the degree of control you want is the purpose of this booklet. It is essential that you become an expert in your own type of diabetes and its management. For further help go to
http://www.dsolve.com.
In order to achieve normal blood sugars most people with type two diabetes will have to go on a pretty strict low carb diet. As well as this you will need to understand about how other physiological events and exercise affect your blood sugars. Remember that you are making long term decisions about your health every time you eat. Very tight control may not be for everyone. Have a look at the next section which is applicable to type ones as well to decide what you are aiming for.
Extremely tight control
For those who seek the blood sugar levels equivalent to a healthy person who does not have diabetes. Most appropriate for adult women diabetics who are planning a pregnancy and experienced adult low carbers who are already doing well with very few hypos who and wish to minimise or reverse complications.
Hbaic 4.2-5.0%
Premeal target range 3.5- 5.5
One hour post meal range under 7.8
Two hour post meal range under 6.5
Tight Control
Experienced Low carbers. You will find it easier than most to achieve this. Most type twos at the strict end of the low carb eating scale can hit this in 2-6 months.
hbaic is 5-6%
premeal target range 3.3-7.8
one hour post meal range less than 8.9
specific premeal target 5.6
Typical Control
Ideal for drivers who wish to avoid hypoglycaemia.
Most adults.
hbaic range 6-7%
premeal target range 3.9-8.9
one hour post meal target less than 10
specific premeal target 6.7
These blood levels would have most diabetologists and endocrinologists cartwheeling down their hospital corridors with glee. These levels are great to get to when you have been struggling so hard with a high carb/low fat diet. Please be aware however that you will be delaying rather than preventing complications at these levels. I don't want to take the wind out of anyone's sails but when you have been low carbing for a while it does get progressively easier to hit these targets. If this is you do you think you could go a little lower?
Looser control:
Older diabetics and particularly those who live alone. Because diabetic complications develop slowly over several to many years you may be able to be more relaxed.
hbaic range 7-8%
premeal target 4.4-10
post one hour target 11
specific premeal target 7.8
Wasn't even told what type I have. Fast blood test gave a reading of only 6.9 and Doctor just said keep it under control :roll: I have next test in three months.
