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.

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: age, how long you have had diabetes, the risk of sever hypoglycemia, the presence or not of cardiovascular disease, and life expectancy. Furthermore, pregnant women have different target values.