Understanding patterns can steer you in the right direction
Keeping records and downloading reports from your meter, pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can help you see the big picture. You can use these records or reports to see patterns in your blood glucose levels. Sometimes it is not always easy to see a pattern so your healthcare provider can educate you on how to best analyze your particular readings. It’s recommended that you check your blood glucose for 3 or more consecutive days, prior to each meal and before bedtime, so that you can gain a complete view of your particular patterns.
Breakfast Lunch Dinner Bedtime
100 88 220 160
But if you have several days of blood glucose numbers then you are able to see if there is a pattern.
Breakfast Lunch Dinner Bedtime
100 88 220 160
85 220 60 260
98 127 140 267
77 130 102 202
It’s helpful to circle or color code the numbers that are out of your target range then ask yourself do you see a pattern? If there is a non-desirable pattern you might want to figure out if there is a cause. Write down everything you can that may have an influence on your blood glucose. For example doses and times of your diabetes medicine, times of your blood sugar numbers and foods you ate.
Please talk to your diabetes educator or healthcare provider and ask for suggestions on changes to keep your blood glucose closer to your target range.
When using 3 or 4 days for pattern management it would be a good idea to not include blood glucose numbers collected during an illness or major emotional stress, at the start of a menstrual cycle or after a low blood sugar.
The American Diabetes Association suggest the following blood glucose targets for most non-pregnant adults with diabetes:
- 80-130 mg/dl before a meal
- <180 mg/dl 1-2 hours after a meal
Just remember this takes time. It’s not a judgment of you as a person, but rather an adjustment in your diabetes treatment plan.
Hollie Breedlove, MS, RD, CDE
Cecelia Health Coach