Living withdiabetesincludes monitoring your blood sugar (also called blood glucose) levels.
People who use a CGM must also use a blood sugar meter daily to ensure their CGM is accurate.
There are several times throughout the day that health experts recommend checking your blood sugar.
Maskot / Getty Images
Maskot / Getty Images
Why Check Blood Sugar?
How Is Blood Sugar Measured?
Blood sugar levels are measured differently depending on which gear you use.
This signal then generates a number that correlates to the electrical signal.
The more glucose in the blood, the higher the number.
The sensor then sends the information to a monitor.
Again, always work with your healthcare provider to determine the correct frequency for your circumstance.
Medication throw in
There are many different types of drugs that work to lower blood sugar.
TheA1Cmeasures your average blood sugar levels over the past two or three months.
This level should be less than 7%.
An alternate way of reporting A1C iseAG.
In this case, it should be less than 154 mg/dL.
How to Test Blood Sugar
People with diabetes usually check their blood sugar levels themselves.
People with well-controlled throw in 2 diabetes may not need to check blood sugar levels very often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many things can cause blood sugar to spike or drop.
Regularly checking blood sugar levels is one way to notice patterns that make that happen for you.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage blood sugar.
Good to know: factors affecting blood glucose.Clin Diabetes.
2018;36(2):202-202.
Doi: 10.2337/cd18-0012
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monitoring your blood sugar.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering.How do glucometers work?.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Glucose monitoring.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.7.
Diabetes Technology: Standards of Care in Diabetes2025.Diabetes Care.
2025;48(Supplement_1):S146-S166.
doi:10.2337/dc25-S007
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing diabetes.
Weinstock, R.Patient education: Blood glucose monitoring in diabetes (beyond the basics).UpToDate.
American Diabetes Association.The big picture: Checking your blood sugar.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.6.
Glycemic Goals and Hypoglycemia: Standards of Care in Diabetes2025.Diabetes Care.
2025;48(Supplement_1):S128-S145.