Diabetes Control

On this page:

• What are diabetes problems?
• Will I have diabetes problems?
• What should my blood glucose numbers be?
• How can I find out what my average blood glucose is?
• What should my blood pressure be?
• What should my cholesterol be?
• What does smoking have to do with diabetes problems?
• What else can I do to prevent diabetes problems?
• Things to Check for Good Diabetes Care
• How to Use the Daily Diabetes Record Page
• For More Information

What are diabetes problems?

Too much glucose (sugar) in the blood for a long time can cause diabetes problems. This high blood glucose (also called blood sugar) can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. Heart and blood vessel disease can lead to heart attacks and strokes. You can do a lot to prevent or slow down diabetes problems.

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Be active to prevent diabetes problems.

Will I have diabetes problems?

Maybe. You may have one or more diabetes problems or none at all. It is hard to know if or when your diabetes will cause problems. If you get diabetes when you are young, you may not have diabetes problems for many years. If you find out you have diabetes as an adult, you may already have diabetes problems. Either way, keeping your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control can prevent diabetes problems.

 

 

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What should my blood glucose numbers be?

Keeping your blood glucose on target will prevent or delay diabetes problems. For most people, target blood glucose levels are

Before meals	90 to 130
1 to 2 hours after the start of a meal	Less than 180

You and your health care provider will agree on when you need to check your blood glucose using a blood glucose meter. You will do the checks yourself. Your health care provider can teach you how to use your meter.

Keep track of your blood glucose checks using the record page. Make copies yourself or ask your health care provider for a blood glucose record book. Your blood glucose check results will help you and your health care provider make a plan for keeping your blood glucose under control. Always bring your record book to your health care appointments so you can talk about reaching your glucose goals.

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How can I find out what my average blood glucose is?

Ask your health care provider to do an A1C test. This blood test shows the average amount of glucose in your blood during the past 2 to 3 months. Have this test done at least twice a year. If your A1C result is not as good as it should be, your health care provider will do this test more often to see if it is improving as your treatment changes. Your A1C result plus your blood glucose meter results can show whether your blood glucose is under control.

Aim for a result below 7 percent. If your A1C test result is below 7 percent, then your blood glucose is in a desirable range and your diabetes treatment plan is working. The lower your A1C is, the lower your chance of getting eye, nerve, and kidney damage.

If your test result is more than 8 percent, you need a change in your diabetes plan. Your health care team can help you decide what part of your plan to change. You may need to change your meal plan, your diabetes medicines, or your exercise plan.

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What should my blood pressure be?

Normal blood pressure will help prevent damage to your eyes, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels. Blood pressure is written with two numbers separated by a slash. For example: 120/70. The first number should be below 130 and the second number should be below 80. Keep your blood pressure as close to these numbers as you can. If you already have kidney disease, you may want even lower blood pressure to protect your kidneys.

Meal planning, medicines, and exercise can help you reach your blood pressure target.

Have your blood pressure checked at every visit.

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What should my cholesterol be?

Normal cholesterol levels will help prevent heart disease and stroke, the biggest health problems for people with diabetes. Keeping cholesterol levels under control can also help with blood flow. Have your cholesterol level checked at least once a year. Meal planning, exercise, and medicines can help you reach your cholesterol targets:

Total cholesterol	under 200
LDL cholesterol	under 100
HDL cholesterol	above 40 (men) above 50 (women)
Triglycerides	under 150

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What does smoking have to do with diabetes problems?

Smoking and diabetes are a dangerous combination. Smoking raises your risk for diabetes problems. If you quit smoking, you'll lower your risk for heart attack, stroke, nerve disease, and kidney disease. Your cholesterol and your blood pressure levels may improve. Your blood circulation will also improve.

If you smoke, ask your health care provider for help in quitting.

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What else can I do to prevent diabetes problems?

Check your feet each day to keep them healthy.

There are other things that you can do either each day or one or more times a year to prevent diabetes problems. For example, to keep your feet healthy, check them each day. Ask your health care team whether you should take an aspirin every day to lower your risk for heart disease. To keep your eyes healthy, visit an eye doctor once a year for a complete eye examination that includes using drops in your eyes to dilate the pupils. Once a year, your urine should be tested for protein. Also once a year, your health care provider should do a complete foot exam.

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Things to Check for Good Diabetes Care

Taking care of diabetes is a team effort between you and your health care team (doctor, diabetes nurse educator, diabetes dietitian educator, pharmacist, and others). You are the most important member of the team.

Take charge of your diabetes by learning what to do for good diabetes care:

• Things to do every day for good diabetes care
  
  
• Things for your health care provider to look at every time you have a checkup
  
  
• Things for you or your health care provider to do at least once or twice a year
  
  

Keep a daily record of blood glucose check results. This information will help you see whether you are reaching your blood glucose goals.

You can prevent or slow down diabetes problems by reaching your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol goals most of the time.

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Things to Do Every Day for Good Diabetes Care

Follow the healthy eating plan that you and your doctor or dietitian have worked out.

Be active a total of 30 minutes most days. Ask your doctor what activities are best for you.

Take your diabetes medicines at the same times each day.

Check your blood glucose every day. Each time you check your blood glucose, write the number in your record book.

Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, redness, or sore toenails.

Brush and floss your teeth and gums every day.

Don't smoke.

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Things for Your Health Care Provider to Look at Every Time You Have a Checkup

Your blood glucose records	Show your records to your health care provider. Tell your health care provider if you often have hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) or high blood glucose.
Your weight	Talk with your health care provider about how much you should weigh. Talk about ways to reach your goal that will work for you.
Your blood pressure	The goal for most people with diabetes is less than 130/80. Ask your health care provider about ways to reach your goal.
Your diabetes medicines plan	Talk to your health care provider about any problems you have had with your diabetes medicines.
Your feet	Ask your health care provider to check your feet for sores.
Your plan for exercise	Talk with your health care provider about what you do to stay active.
Your meal plan	Talk about what you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat.
Your feelings	Ask your health care provider about ways to handle stress. If you are feeling sad or unable to cope with problems, ask about how to get help.
Your smoking	If you smoke, talk with your health care provider about how you can quit.

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Things for You or Your Health Care Provider to Do at Least Once or Twice a Year

A1C test	Have this blood test at least twice a year. Your result will tell you what your average blood glucose level was for the past 2 to 3 months.
Blood lipid (fats) lab tests	Get a blood test to check your total cholesterol--aim for under 200 LDL--aim for under 100 HDL--men: aim for above 40; women: aim for above 50 triglycerides--aim for under 150 These test results will help you plan how to prevent heart attack and stroke.
Kidney function tests	Ask for tests to check your urine for protein. The results will tell you how well your kidneys are working.
Dilated eye exam	See your eye doctor once a year for a complete eye exam.
Dental exam	See your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
Flu shot	Get a flu shot each year.
Foot exam	Ask your health care provider to check your feet to make sure your foot nerves and your blood circulation are OK.

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How to Use the Daily Diabetes Record Page

Use copies of the record page to keep track of blood glucose checks, medicines, and notes about things that affect your blood glucose. Make one copy of the record page for each week. This record will help you see whether your diabetes plan is working. Review your record with your health care providers.

Blood Glucose Checks

Talk with your health care provider and decide on the best times to check blood glucose. You may be checking blood glucose before meals, after meals, or at bedtime. Write down your results.

If needed, draw a line in the boxes under "Breakfast," "Lunch," and "Dinner" to make room for blood glucose check results before and after a meal, like this example:

Medicines

Under the heading marked "Medicine," write the name of your diabetes medicines and the amounts taken.

Notes

Write down things that affect your blood glucose level. Some examples are

• eating more or less than usual
  
  
• forgetting to take your diabetes medicine
  
  
• exercising (write down what kind and for how long)
  
  
• being sick or upset about something (being under stress)
  
  
• going to a social event or other special event, or being on vacation

Daily Diabetes Record Page

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For More Information

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

National Diabetes Education Program

American Diabetes Association

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International

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