When it comes to checking glucose levels, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, writes diabetes educator NYAREE LAWLER.

One question that we get asked a lot on our Helpline is, ‘when should I check my glucose levels?’ Like most things related to diabetes management, no one size fits all. When and how often you check your glucose level is going to depend on your type of diabetes, what you want to find out, what medications you are taking, and how you are feeling.

So, let’s start with what you want to find out. This is thinking about what information you think is going to help you to manage your diabetes.

Here are some common reasons why people with diabetes check their glucose levels:

• Want to know what effect exercise is having on your glucose levels? When could you check your levels to help work this out? Potentially before, during, and after exercise. You may also need to check your glucose level before exercising to make sure it is at a safe level for you to do the exercise. This will depend on the type of diabetes you have and what diabetes medications you are taking, so check with your GP or Diabetes Educator.
• How could you see what effect certain foods/drinks/meals/portion sizes has had on your glucose level? Check your levels before you eat or drink and then two hours later to see the difference in the two levels. If your glucose level has increased by more than 2.0mmol/L, then you might think about how much carbohydrate you had, what type of carbohydrate you had (low or high glycaemic index), and, if you take insulin with your meals, did you have enough insulin and did you take it at the right time.
• What effect does stress have on your glucose levels? You might check your levels more regularly when you are feeling stressed to see if they increase.
• Started a new medication for diabetes? You might like to ask your GP, diabetes educator, or pharmacist how the medication works and then decide an appropriate time to check your glucose levels to determine the effect of the medication.
• Not sure how much insulin you need to be taking? Discuss with your GP or diabetes educator when to check your glucose levels to help determine the right amount of insulin for you. This will vary depending on the type of diabetes you have and the type of insulin you are using.
• What is happening overnight? Your liver releases stored glucose during the night to make sure there is enough glucose circulating in the blood. A morning fasting glucose check can help you to determine how this process may be affecting your glucose levels. In some people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes, the liver releases too much glucose overnight, causing the morning reading to be high. In type 1 diabetes, a fasting glucose check helps to determine how much insulin is needed overnight to match the liver production.
• Am I safe to drive? The recommendation is for your glucose level to be above 5.0mmol/L before and during driving.
• I’m not feeling well. Is it my diabetes? High or low glucose levels can make you feel unwell, but being unwell can also affect your glucose levels. Checking your glucose level when you are unwell or have symptoms can help you to determine if your glucose is too low (hypoglycaemia) or too high (hyperglycaemia). Talk to your GP or diabetes educator about how to manage your individualised glucose levels if you are unwell or if you are at risk of having hypoglycaemia.
• What about medications? Steroid injections or tablets can increase glucose levels, so it is often recommended to check them.