It is common to test your blood sugar (glucose) levels 4 or more times per day, before meals and snack time. You can also test before lunch at school if you feel comfortable with that. It’s best to discuss what is best for you with your parents and doctor.

How blood checks work

A tiny needle (called a lancet) is used on your finger to draw a drop of blood. Before starting the test, wash your hands or sticking site with soap and water. If you use your fingertip, stick the side of fingertip with the lancet. This helps to pool blood and avoid sore spots on this part of finger.

Checking with a blood glucose meter

You can check your blood glucose level by using blood glucose meters. They are small computerised machines that will show your blood glucose level by displaying numbers on the screen. Your doctor will show you how to use your meter correctly. It is better to use a meter than visual checking.

Logging your results

Once you finish the blood glucose test, write down the result. You can use these results to see how food, activity and stress affect your blood sugar. Compare your results with the previous days’ records to see if your blood glucose level is rising or dropping. If the result continues to be too high or low, your plan may need to be adjusted. You can learn what your results mean by working with your doctor.

What should my blood glucose levels be?

Everybody is different, and everybody’s blood glucose management will be different, so it’s important to check with your doctor about the levels you should aim for. But, there are general blood glucose ranges that you can use as guidelines.

Ideal rangeConsult your doctor if
Before meals4-7 mmol/LBlood glucose is consistently lower than 4 mmol/L or higher than 10 mmol/L before meals.
Two hours after meals8-9 mmol/L
At bedtime6-10 mmol/LBlood glucose is consistently lower than 6 mmol/L or higher than 12 mmol/L at bedtime.

Ideal blood glucose levels may be different for you and others who are at greater risk of hypoglycaemia.

Always consult with your doctor if you have any concerns and follow your own treatment plan.