The goal of proper blood glucose (sugar) control is to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes complications. The glycemia readings taken by a person with diabetes, along with blood tests measuring glycated hemoglobin (A1C), are used to check how well blood sugar is being controlled.
Self-monitoring of your blood glucose levels
Self-monitoring of your blood glucose levels lets you check that you are within target values on a daily or weekly basis. Self-monitoring is done with a finger prick and a blood glucose meter at specific times and frequencies that vary from person to person, based on the recommendations of your health care team. A continuous glucose meter can also be used for self-monitoring.
The target blood glucose values for the majority of diabetic adults are:
| Between 4.0 and 7.0 mmol/L fasting or before a meal Between 5.0 and 10.0 mmol/L 2 hours after the start of a meal |
Glycated hemoglobin (A1C)
Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) is measured by a laboratory blood test. It indicates the average blood glucose (sugar) level in the previous 2 to 3 months.
For the majority of diabetic adults, the target value for A1C is less than 7.0%.
Does everyone have the same target values?
Certain factors may cause target values to differ from one person to another: fragility, how long you have had diabetes, the risk of severe hypoglycemia, the presence or not of cardiovascular disease, and life expectancy. Furthermore, pregnant women have different target values.