Starting a blood sugar log is not difficult, but it should be guided by your doctor or dietitian. You can buy pre-printed logs in which to write your blood glucose readings or you can use a simple piece of lined paper and a pencil. Your health care provider will give you details on what times of day to test your blood sugar, but typical logs will taken upon waking, two hours after eating one or more meals, and before bed. You can also purchase or download specialized software that is designed to help you keep track of your readings.
There is no set pattern for how often blood sugar testing is necessary. This will depend on your individual circumstances and you should discuss this aspect of treatment with your doctor before starting your blood sugar log. In the beginning, you may be asked to check your glucose levels several times per day while you are learning which foods and activities have the greatest impact on your blood sugar. Later, you may able to check your blood glucose once per day or less.
To start a blood sugar log, you need only to begin writing down your blood glucose levels after each reading. Include the time of day it is, how long it has been since you have eaten, what you had to eat or drink last, and what activities you did within an hour or two before testing. You can write these things down longhand, or you can use charts or software designed for this purpose.
Your doctor can tell you how to interpret your blood sugar log. One reading alone is usually not indicative of a problem, so you will need to keep accurate and consistent readings over the course of several days, weeks, and months. If you are concerned about a particular reading or if your results change over time, speak with your doctor or health care provider. You may also be asked to bring your blood sugar log into your regular office appointments so your practitioner can get a good idea of how well your condition is being managed.
Keeping a blood sugar log is especially important for those with severe diabetes or gestational diabetes, and diabetics with certain other health conditions. To keep better track of your condition, you may wish to include additional optional information. For instance, you may write how to feel one day after eating fewer or more carbohydrates than normal. You can also keep track of your energy level and moods in correlation with blood sugar.
