Monitoring Your Type 2 Diabetes

Monitoring alone does not change the blood sugar level, but it does help you know if your treatment plan is successful. The only way to find out if you are keeping your blood sugar levels in the target range is to monitor your blood sugar.

All of the answers are correct. However, the best answer is "All of the above". Illness, traveling, lifestyle changes and diabetes medication can all impact your blood glucose control. Monitor your blood sugar more frequently on these occasions to be sure your blood sugar levels are on target.

All of the choices are correct. However, the best answer is "All of the above". Fingerstick testing is the most accurate reflection of sugar levels in the blood stream. Alternative site testing lags behind fingerstick testing by 20 minutes or more. Alternative site testing is similar to fingerstick testing only when the blood sugar is steady, and not moving rapidly up or rapidly down. If you really had a low blood sugar, the alternative site testing result might be misleadingly high. This could lead to making the wrong decision to reach your target blood glucose level by not eating a carbohydrate-containing snack (PDF) or taking other corrective action.

Many people find the information about their blood glucose trends very helpful in managing their care, and have been able to increase the time their blood sugars are in the target range. Before making any immediate treatment decisions, you will still need to do traditional blood glucose testing to verify a glucose level determined by a sensor. The sensors still have to be calibrated or reconciled with blood glucose readings obtained with a blood glucose meter, and the continuous glucose sensor results have to be verified before you change your therapy.

False! While ketones are more common in people with type 1 diabetes, they can be a problem for those with type 2 - especially during severe illness or during treatment with certain medications.

The correct answer is to vary the time of the blood sugar checks throughout the day, and record the results. As an example, for week 1, you could check and record your blood sugar before breakfast, week 2 check and record before lunch, week 3 check and record before dinner, week 4 check and record at bedtime. Then you could begin the cycle all over again. Alternatively, you could check your blood sugar at a different times every day or every few days. The key is to canvas the blood sugar pattern throughout the day. If you are taking medications such as insulin or pills that make your pancreas secrete insulin, you are at risk of developing a low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and will need to do more blood sugar checks. You always need to check your blood sugar if you think you are having a "low" or hypoglycemic episode. Talk with your medical provider about how to get more test strips if you are on these kinds of medications.