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Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels has many advantages. The readings help you to:
The glucose data also enables your healthcare team to provide more effective support for you.
This method involves obtaining a blood sample to measure glucose levels at a specific moment using a glucose meter. Further information on utilising a glucose meter can be found here.
Here is an example of blood glucose targets for finger-prick testing:
| Timing | Target |
|---|---|
| Before meals | 4 to 7 mmol/L |
| 2hours after a meal | Less than 10 mmol/L |
| Before bedtime | 6 to 8 mmol/L |
Blood glucose targets vary from person to person. Your healthcare team will work with you to determine your individual targets.
These devices measure glucose levels via a sensor placed under the skin. They measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid at frequent time intervals, without you having to prick your fingers frequently.
These sensors offer real-time insights into glucose levels fluctuations throughout the day (Figure 1). Some sensors might require calibration with daily finger-prick glucose testing.
A key feature of these sensors is the ‘time-in-range’ metric, representing the percentage of time your glucose levels remain within the target range. To track your time-in-range, first ensure that you have entered the correct target glucose range into the system.
For example, a goal might be to spend over 70% of time within a target range of 4-10 mmol/L and less than 5% of the time below 4 mmol/L.
| Range | Glucose Level | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Time above range | Above 10 mmol/L | Less than 25% |
| Time in range | 4 to 10 mmol/L | Above 70% |
| Time below range | Below 4 mmol/L | Less than 5% |
For additional details on flash glucose monitoring, click here.
HbA1c is a laboratory test conducted every three to four months at a clinic. It estimates your average blood glucose over this period and is reported as a percentage (%) or mmol/mol.
HbA1c targets typically range from 6 to 7%. Sometimes your healthcare team may set a higher target for you due to individual factors or lower if you are planning for pregnancy.
Unlike finger-prick testing or glucose sensors, HbA1c provides a single reading each quarter, offering a broad overview rather than detailed daily or moment-to-moment glucose levels.
