How often should I measure my blood sugars?

The testing for blood sugar levels is more rigorous just after the diagnosis of diabetes. Once the diagnosis of diabetes has been established, the measurement of blood sugars does depend on the type of diabetes and treatment.


Individuals who have type 1 diabetes need to measure blood sugar levels anywhere from 3-6 times a day, at least before and after each meal.
Individuals with diabetes who exercise also need to monitor their sugars before and after exercise and just before going to sleep.


Individuals with type 1 diabetes who are ill or have a change in their routine (like traveling), stress or have been diagnosed with other medical disorder may need more frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels.


Individuals with Type 2 diabetes generally require less frequent glucose monitoring. Most of these individuals need to monitor blood glucose 1-2 time’s day if they are on any type of diabetic medications. Individual who are managing their type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise alone need to monitor their sugars less often. 

Are there any other methods to monitor blood sugar besides finger pricking?

Blood glucose measurements using finger pricks has always been the Gold standard. This method has been thoroughly analyzed and found to be reproducible, reliable and generates consistent results. Now this method is starting to face stiff competition.

The discomfort and inconvenience of finger pricking is one reason people with diabetes do not check their blood sugar as often as they should. Finger pricking is uncomfortable and is painful. To counter the finger pricking, researchers have been trying to develop novel ways to measure blood glucose. The following are alternatives available today: 

Blood can also be obtained from the upper arm, thigh or abdomen. These alternative sites of obtaining blood are much less painful than the finger prick. The only problem with getting blood from these alternative sites is that level of blood sugar obtained is not always accurate, especially in cases where the sugar levels may be quickly increasing or decreasing.

Infra red light monitors have been developed which use a beam of light to penetrate the skin and measure levels of sugar in the blood. However, these devices are not accurate and the levels of blood sugar can vary depending on the blood pressure, temperature of the skin or the presence of a skin ailment (lupus, ulcer, Reynaud’s, collagen vascular disease). When using the infrared devices, it is important to periodically compare the blood sugar with a finger prick to ensure that levels between the two methods are within a close range

When should I check my blood sugar levels?

Most people who have just been diagnosed with diabetes need to check the blood sugars at least 4-6 times a day.

Once the diagnosis of diabetes has been established, the measurement of blood sugars does depend on the type of diabetes and treatment.

Individuals who have type 1 diabetes often need to measure blood sugar levels anywhere from 3-6 times a day, at least before and after each meal.

Individuals with diabetes who exercise also need to monitor their sugars before and after exercise and just before going to sleep.

Individuals with type 1 diabetes who are ill or have a change in their routine (like traveling), stress or have been diagnosed with other medical disorder may need more frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels.

Individuals with Type 2 diabetes generally require less frequent glucose monitoring. Most of these individuals initially monitor the blood glucose 1-2 times day if they are on any type of diabetic medications. Individual who are managing their type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise alone need to monitor their sugars less often.