Hayleykjjt
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hey xx just done my blood and it's 8.1 but I don't know what that means. First time in doing it x any advice would be appreciated xx
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First time using a blood monitor
- Thread starter Hayleykjjt
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Best times to test are:
Fasting (when you wake up)
Before each meal and 2 hours after you start your meal
Bedtime
Sometimes people test before and after doing exercise as well so they can check what is going on.
8.1 isn't terrible - the diabetic range to aim for is 4-7mmol fasting, pre-meal and bed and 4-8.5mmol post-prandial. So, if you tested within 2 hours of lunch, you are in range, otherwise, you are not much over.
Hope that helps! (I keep a record of my results alongside a food diary, so I can see what food does to my readings and can tweak accordingly). You are looking for a rise of less than 3mmol from pre- to post- levels. More than that and you'll need to investigate what caused the spike.
Just be aware that fasting readings are the last ones to come down, so please be reassured that if they are higher in the morning than the night before, this is normal while you sort your BG levels out! As your day numbers come down, the fasting ones will follow. Took me a few weeks to learn that!
Fasting (when you wake up)
Before each meal and 2 hours after you start your meal
Bedtime
Sometimes people test before and after doing exercise as well so they can check what is going on.
8.1 isn't terrible - the diabetic range to aim for is 4-7mmol fasting, pre-meal and bed and 4-8.5mmol post-prandial. So, if you tested within 2 hours of lunch, you are in range, otherwise, you are not much over.
Hope that helps! (I keep a record of my results alongside a food diary, so I can see what food does to my readings and can tweak accordingly). You are looking for a rise of less than 3mmol from pre- to post- levels. More than that and you'll need to investigate what caused the spike.
Just be aware that fasting readings are the last ones to come down, so please be reassured that if they are higher in the morning than the night before, this is normal while you sort your BG levels out! As your day numbers come down, the fasting ones will follow. Took me a few weeks to learn that!
Hayleykjjt
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I haven't actually eaten today. Been feeling very sick xx
Maggie53
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
hi I just bought a monitor, I also im a bit lost was told by gp I was 51 so I'm not sure what that number is,bit of a minefield.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I think the number of 51 will be the result of your HbA1C blood test taken from your arm and sent to the lab and the result will be in mmol/mol, a result of 51 puts you just into the diabetes zone. This will have been the average blood glucose level over the last 3 months.
The result you will get from your home monitor from a finger prick will give you your blood glucose level at that moment in time and will be in mmol/l (so not the same units)
If you look in the learning zone there is information on the expected ranges for testing results. The value of your home monitor is you can check the effect various foods/meals have on your blood glucose levels by testing before you eat and after 2 hours, a difference of no more than 2-3mmol/l would be a good result for that meal.
Keeping a food diary along with your results will allow you to build up a 'good food' list for future reference or foods which are not so good and need to be restricted in portion size or eliminated.
The result you will get from your home monitor from a finger prick will give you your blood glucose level at that moment in time and will be in mmol/l (so not the same units)
If you look in the learning zone there is information on the expected ranges for testing results. The value of your home monitor is you can check the effect various foods/meals have on your blood glucose levels by testing before you eat and after 2 hours, a difference of no more than 2-3mmol/l would be a good result for that meal.
Keeping a food diary along with your results will allow you to build up a 'good food' list for future reference or foods which are not so good and need to be restricted in portion size or eliminated.
Maggie53
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
thank you for your help,just trying to get my head around it,I know it its hard with the virus,but apart from been told the number and told I was diabetic 2/3 months ago and given meds thats been it,thats why I became a member of diabetes UK im reading info in leaflet and the magazine suppose I will get there.thanks for help
Hayleykjjt
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Mines 12.3 now? Xx
Hello,
It's great that you've got a monitor, I personally think it makes managing diabetes a lot easier. Have a look at this page as it goes through the different numbers and what they mean https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.
It's great that you've got a monitor, I personally think it makes managing diabetes a lot easier. Have a look at this page as it goes through the different numbers and what they mean https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.
Nick Cliff
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome to the forum @Hayleykjjt and @Maggie53. It takes a while to get your head round the monitor readings - especially if no one gave you advice at the start.
As others have said, when you take the test is very significant. Blood sugar levels fluctuate through the day and are affected by eating and what you eat and exercise and many other things.
I have found it useful to always do the tests at the same point in my day - when waking and then before my main meal and 2 hrs after finishing it. Doing this builds up a picture of what is happening and shows any trends.
It's all about seeing trends rather than each individual reading as so many things can cause blood sugar levels to change.
Good luck with your testing and with keeping this annoying condition under control.
Nick
As others have said, when you take the test is very significant. Blood sugar levels fluctuate through the day and are affected by eating and what you eat and exercise and many other things.
I have found it useful to always do the tests at the same point in my day - when waking and then before my main meal and 2 hrs after finishing it. Doing this builds up a picture of what is happening and shows any trends.
It's all about seeing trends rather than each individual reading as so many things can cause blood sugar levels to change.
Good luck with your testing and with keeping this annoying condition under control.
Nick
Nick Cliff
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
That's fine @Maggie53 glad to help. I was told that the lancets do not need disposal in a sharps bin. I was told to put them in a small sealed container and when full dispose ofor it fully sealed in the normal domestic rubbish. I use a used supplements container or something similar. Good luck with your testing, you'll soon get the hang of it! Nick
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