You will feel well and happy if your blood glucose level is not too high and not too low.  People who do not have diabetes have blood glucose levels that stay between 4 and 7 mmols/l.  If you have diabetes, good control means keeping your blood glucose levels in this range too.  Careful balancing of your insulin doses, diet and exercise will help you achieve this.

Measuring control

This can be done at home by: -

and

Control is also measured at the hospital, before or at your clinic appointment, by an HbA1c test.

What is the HbA1c test?

This finger prick test is an indication of your average blood glucose level for the past eight to twelve weeks.  As well as carrying oxygen, your red blood cells (haemoglobin) carry glucose; the larger the amount of glucose in your blood, the higher the HbA1c result will be.

The HbA1c is measured as a percentage and a result around 7-8% is very good.  We will tell you your HbA1c result at the clinic and we shall keep a record of it in your hospital notes.  We aim to keep the level below 9.5%, preferably around 7.5%.  To find out more information click here.

Measuring or monitoring your blood glucose level

This is a very important way of monitoring your diabetes, as it tells you how much glucose is in your blood at the time the test is carried out.  glucose in the urine tells you that your glucose level has been high for some time.  Your finger prick test if more accurate and tells you your blood glucose level at the exact time you test.

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