Monitoring and recording blood sugar (glucose) levels provides valuable information for controlling your diabetes.

How Often Should You Check Your Blood Sugar Level?
While this is a matter for you and your health care team to decide, most people with diabetes who use insulin generally check four times per day -- once before each meal and then before bed.

People with type 2 diabetes who use oral medication, or who control blood sugar levels with diet and exercise, should monitor based on individual goals for before- and after-meal glucose values. The more information you have about your blood sugar levels, the better you'll manage your diabetes. Checking blood sugar regularly and understanding the results will help you and your health care team adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Check blood sugar levels more often when:

1. Feeling ill and/or having a fever
2. Making changes to your meal plan
3. Changing your exercise/physical activity in any way
4. Changing insulin or medications

What Should I Write in My Logbook?
A logbook is vital for both you and your health care team. Logging your blood sugar results helps you learn your blood sugar patterns and what levels you should expect to see at specific times of the day. Remember to record:

1. What, how much, and how often you eat and drink
2. How much you exercise
3. Whether you are feeling sick
4. Insulin type, dosage, and time of day
5. Blood-glucose-control medication(s) and dosage
6. Emotional and stressful experiences, including when they occur