[Diabetes-talk] how often do type 2s test

[Lynn Baillif]

Hello Everyone,
I have seen more than one person who checks their blood sugar less than daily, and then is shocked when their A1C is through the roof!  Because blood sugar changes all the time, if you check it infrequently or at the same time every day, you are likely to miss times it may be high.  

For type 2s I like checking before and 2 hours after the same meal. Change the meal at which you test either each day or each week. This way, over time you get a picture of your typical day while only testing twice a day. If you see a pattern of high blood sugars after a certain mealtime, your food intake or diabetes mecication may need to be changed.  Or if there is a pattern of high blood sugars before a certain meal, changes are also needed. If you see a pattern, talk to your doctor or diabetes educator.  

Lynn