Sometimes, checking your blood sugar can feel like a hassle. But it’s important to test regularly so you know how all the parts of your diabetes management plan are working together. Plus, even though you may feel fine, only a blood sugar test can tell you if your blood sugar is in your target range.
How Often Should You Test?
How many times you test depends on your diabetes management plan and varies from person to person. You, your parents and your healthcare team can decide how often you should test.
When Should You Test?
The time of day that you test will change. Usually, people should test at times that help them figure out how a treatment is working or see the effect of a meal or sports. Many kids check their blood sugar first thing in the morning and before meals. Some kids check at bedtime and/or in the middle of the night. It’s also a good idea to check your blood sugar two hours after a meal.
Why After a Meal?
Even in kids without diabetes, blood sugar goes up after a meal. For kids with diabetes, your sugar can be higher after you eat. Depending upon the meal and the amount of activity after the meal, your blood sugar comes back down over the next few hours. Both fasting blood sugar checks and after-meal blood sugar checks are important and provide different information about how different foods can work into your diabetes management plan.
