How often you should check your blood sugar depends on the type of diabetes you have and the medicines you take. People with type 1 diabetes usually check 4 to 10 times a day. People with type 2 diabetes who take insulin may check several times daily. If you manage diabetes with diet alone, you might not need to check every day.

This guide will help you understand when to check, what the numbers mean, and how to create a testing plan that works for you.

Why Blood Sugar Checking Matters

Checking your blood sugar is like checking the gas gauge in your car. It tells you where you are right now and helps you make smart choices about what to do next.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers regular blood sugar testing the most important action you can take in managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes. When you check regularly, you learn how food, exercise, stress, and medicine affect your numbers.

Here’s what regular checking helps you do:

Track how well your diabetes plan is working. Checking shows if your medicine doses are right or need changes.

Catch problems early. You can spot high or low blood sugar before it becomes serious.

Make better food choices. You’ll see which foods make your sugar spike and which keep it steady.

Stay safe during exercise. Testing before and after helps prevent dangerous lows.

Understand your patterns. Morning numbers, after-meal numbers, and bedtime numbers all tell a story about your body.

How Often to Check Based on Your Diabetes Type

Type 1 Diabetes Testing Schedule

If you have type 1 diabetes, your healthcare professional may suggest a continuous glucose monitor or blood sugar testing 4 to 10 times a day. Your pancreas doesn’t make insulin anymore, so your blood sugar can change quickly.

You’ll need to check:

• Before every meal and snack
• Before, during, and after exercise
• Before you go to bed
• Sometimes in the middle of the night
• After treating low blood sugar
• More often when you’re sick
• More often if you change your routine or start new medicine

Think of it this way: every time you eat or move, your blood sugar responds. Checking helps you stay one step ahead.

Type 2 Diabetes Testing Schedule

If you take insulin to manage type 2 diabetes, your healthcare professional might recommend a continuous glucose monitor or blood sugar testing several times a day. The exact number of times depends on the type and amount of insulin you use.

Your testing schedule depends on your treatment:

If you take insulin: Check before meals and at bedtime. If you take insulin more than once a day, you may need to check 3 to 6 times daily. The American Diabetes Association recommends that most people using intensive insulin regimens assess glucose concentrations prior to meals and snacks, at bedtime, prior to exercise, when they suspect low blood sugar, after treating low blood sugar until they are normal, and prior to performing critical tasks such as driving.

If you take other diabetes pills: Your doctor will tell you how often to check. Some people check once a day, others check a few times a week.

If you manage with diet and exercise only: You might not need daily checks. Your doctor may ask you to check a few times a week to make sure your plan is working.

Prediabetes Monitoring

If you have prediabetes, higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, you should get your blood sugar checked annually. Your doctor may also suggest checking at home sometimes to see how food affects your numbers.

Gestational Diabetes Testing

If you have gestational diabetes, you will need to check your blood sugar levels a few times a day for the rest of your pregnancy. Most women check four times daily: once in the morning before eating and after each meal.

Your diabetes team will give you exact times and target numbers. This helps keep both you and your baby healthy during pregnancy.

Best Times of Day to Check Blood Sugar

Timing matters just as much as frequency. Different times give different information about how your body handles sugar.

Fasting Blood Sugar (Morning Check)

Testing before you’ve had anything to eat or drink in the morning, also known as a fasting blood sugar, can let you know how well your body manages blood sugar while you sleep. This is usually your first check of the day, right after you wake up.

A good fasting number for most people with diabetes is 80 to 130 mg/dL. Your target might be different, so ask your doctor what’s right for you.

Before Meals

Checking before you eat helps you decide if you need extra insulin or if you should wait before eating. When testing in pairs (pre-meal and post-meal), a pre-meal reading can act as a reference for how the food you eat and any pre-meal medications affect your glucose levels.

Pre-meal targets are usually 80 to 130 mg/dL for most adults with diabetes.

After Meals

Check your blood sugar 2 hours after you start eating. This shows how your body handled that meal. Two hours after the start of a meal, blood sugar should be less than 180 mg/dL.

If your after-meal numbers are often high, you might need to:

• Eat smaller portions
• Choose foods with less carbs
• Add more protein or healthy fats
• Adjust your medicine with your doctor’s help

Before Bed

Bedtime checks help you stay safe while sleeping. If your blood sugar is too low at bedtime, you could have problems during the night. If it’s too high, you might wake up with a high number.

Most people aim for 100 to 140 mg/dL at bedtime, but your target may be different.

During the Night

For people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, those at risk for severe hypoglycemia, or those who have other medical needs, testing during the night may be advised. Common times to test at night are right before bed, 2 hours after you fall asleep and at 3:00 a.m.

Keep juice or glucose tablets by your bed in case you need to treat low blood sugar quickly.

Before and After Exercise

Since exercise often lowers blood sugar, it is important to check your blood sugar before a workout and to have a snack if blood sugar is below your target to help prevent hypoglycemia.

Physical activity can drop your sugar quickly or make it rise, depending on what you do and how long you do it. Check before you start and again after you finish.

Understanding Your Blood Sugar Numbers

Knowing your numbers is half the battle. Understanding what they mean is the other half.

Normal Blood Sugar Ranges

Normal fasting blood glucose levels range between 70 and 100 mg/dL. Blood sugar targets vary for each person depending on several factors, such as whether you have diabetes.

For people without diabetes:

• Fasting (morning): 70 to 99 mg/dL
• After eating: Under 140 mg/dL

Target Ranges for Diabetes

A blood sugar target is the range you try to reach as much as possible. Before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL. Two hours after the start of a meal: less than 180 mg/dL.

Your personal targets depend on:

• How long you’ve had diabetes
• Your age
• Other health problems you have
• If you’re pregnant
• How often you have low blood sugar

Prediabetes Range

A blood sugar of 100 mg/dL or higher is considered abnormal. A range of 100-125 mg/dL falls under the category of prediabetes. If your fasting blood sugar falls in this range, work with your doctor to prevent type 2 diabetes.

When Blood Sugar Is Too Low

For most people with diabetes, hypoglycemia is when your blood sugar level is below 70 milligrams per deciliter or 3.9 millimoles per liter. Low blood sugar needs quick treatment.

Signs your blood sugar is low:

• Shaking or trembling
• Sweating
• Fast heartbeat
• Feeling hungry suddenly
• Feeling dizzy or confused
• Feeling cranky or anxious

If your blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL, follow the 15-15 rule: Eat or drink 15 grams of fast-acting carbs to raise your blood sugar. After 15 minutes, check your blood sugar. If it’s still below 70 mg/dL, have another 15 grams of fast-acting carbs. Repeat until your blood sugar is at least 70 mg/dL.

Fast-acting carbs include:

• 4 glucose tablets
• Half a cup of juice
• Half a cup of regular soda (not diet)
• 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar

When Blood Sugar Is Too High

Blood sugar over 180 mg/dL after meals is too high for most people. If you’re sick and your blood sugar is 240 mg/dL or above, use an over-the-counter ketone test kit to check for ketones. High ketones can be dangerous and need immediate medical care.

Signs your blood sugar is high:

• Feeling very thirsty
• Needing to pee more often
• Feeling tired
• Having blurry vision
• Getting headaches

Two Ways to Check Blood Sugar

You have two main options for checking your blood sugar at home.

Blood Sugar Meters (Finger Stick Method)

The most common type of blood sugar monitoring involves using a glucose meter and test strips. This is a “finger stick check.” You prick your fingertip with a small needle called a lancet to produce a blood drop.

Here’s how to do a finger stick test:

1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Dry them completely.
2. Put a test strip in your meter.
3. Use the lancet to prick the side of your fingertip.
4. Squeeze gently to get a drop of blood.
5. Touch the test strip to the blood drop.
6. Wait a few seconds for your number to appear.
7. Write down your result with the date and time.

Tips for easier testing:

• Prick the side of your finger, not the pad. It hurts less.
• Rotate which fingers you use to avoid sore spots.
• Hold your hand down to help blood flow to your fingers.
• Keep your meter and strips at room temperature.

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)

Continuous glucose monitors measure blood sugar every few minutes. They use a device placed on the skin along with a sensor placed under the skin. These disposable sensors last for 10 days to two weeks before they need to be changed.

CGMs have several benefits:

• No finger sticks (or very few)
• See your sugar levels 24/7
• Get alerts when your sugar goes too high or low
• See how fast your sugar is rising or falling
• Review patterns over days or weeks

Most people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes should aim for a time in range of at least 70 percent of readings, meaning 70 percent of readings, you should aim for roughly 17 out of 24 hours each day to be in range (not high or low).

CGMs work great for people who:

• Take insulin multiple times daily
• Have trouble feeling when blood sugar goes low
• Want to see trends and patterns
• Are pregnant with diabetes
• Have type 1 diabetes

When to Check More Often

Sometimes you need to check your blood sugar more than usual.

When You’re Sick

Illness makes blood sugar harder to control. Even a cold can make your numbers jump. Check at least 4 times a day when you’re sick, or as often as your doctor suggests.

When Starting New Medicine

New diabetes medicine can change your blood sugar in unexpected ways. Check more often for the first few weeks to see how the new medicine affects you.

When Changing Your Routine

Travel, new work schedules, or big life changes can throw off your diabetes control. Extra checks help you stay safe during these times.

Before Driving

People using intensive insulin regimens should assess glucose concentrations prior to performing critical tasks such as driving. Low blood sugar while driving is dangerous. Always check if you feel off before getting behind the wheel.

During Pregnancy

Pregnancy changes how your body uses insulin. Women with diabetes often need to check 4 to 8 times daily during pregnancy to keep both mom and baby healthy.

Creating Your Personal Testing Schedule

Your testing schedule should fit your life and your diabetes type. Here’s a simple way to start if you don’t have a schedule yet.

If you don’t have a schedule yet, try starting out by checking 2 times a day in the following pattern: Day 1: Before breakfast and 2 hours after starting breakfast. Day 2: Before lunch and 2 hours after starting lunch. Day 3: Before dinner and 2 hours after starting dinner. Repeat this pattern for 1 month.

This rotation helps you see patterns at different times without checking constantly. After a month, bring your meter to your doctor appointment. Together, you can look at your numbers and adjust your plan.

Questions to ask your doctor:

• What are my personal target ranges?
• How many times should I check each day?
• What times are most important for me?
• When should I call if my numbers are off?
• Do I need a CGM instead of finger sticks?

Keeping Track of Your Results

Writing down your blood sugar numbers helps you and your doctor see patterns. Many meters save your results and connect to your phone or computer.

What to record:

• Date and time
• Blood sugar number
• What you ate
• If you exercised
• Any medicine you took
• How you felt

You might notice patterns like:

• Your morning numbers are always high
• Certain foods make your sugar spike
• Exercise drops your sugar too much
• Stress makes your numbers go up

Share these patterns with your doctor. Together, you can make a plan to handle them.

Managing Your Diabetes at Yorktown Health

Living with diabetes means regular checkups with a healthcare team that knows you well. At Yorktown Health, we provide comprehensive diabetes management services for families in Vernon Hills.

Our team helps you:

• Set personal blood sugar targets
• Learn when and how to check
• Understand your numbers
• Adjust medicines as needed
• Manage diabetes during pregnancy

We also offer annual physicals for adults and chronic disease management to keep your diabetes in control and prevent problems.

Tools and Tips for Easier Testing

Making blood sugar checking easier helps you stick with it.

Keep supplies in multiple places: Have a meter and strips in your car, at work, and in your purse or backpack. You’re more likely to check if supplies are handy.

Set reminders: Use your phone to remind you when to check. After a while, it becomes a habit.

Track patterns, not perfection: Don’t get upset about every high or low number. Look for patterns over days and weeks instead.

Join a support group: Talking with others who check their blood sugar daily can give you new tips and keep you motivated.

Update your testing plan: As your life changes, your testing needs change too. Review your plan with your doctor every few months.

Common Questions About Blood Sugar Checking

Do I need to check if I feel fine?

Yes. You can’t always feel when blood sugar is too high or too low, especially if you’ve had diabetes for a long time. Regular checking catches problems before you feel symptoms.

Can I check too often?

Not really, but checking more than needed can be expensive and stressful. Work with your doctor to find the right balance for you.

What if I can’t afford enough test strips?

Talk to your doctor. They might prescribe a different testing schedule that uses fewer strips. Some insurance plans cover more strips if your doctor explains why you need them. Programs through diabetes organizations sometimes help with costs too.

Should I check before or after exercise?

Both. Check before to make sure you’re safe to start. Check after to see how the activity affected you. Over time, you’ll learn your patterns.

What if my meter and lab results don’t match?

Home meters can be off by 10 to 15 percent. Lab tests are more accurate. If your meter seems way off, bring it to your next appointment. Your doctor can test it against lab equipment.

Special Situations That Affect Testing

Alcohol and Blood Sugar

Drinking alcohol can drop your blood sugar hours later, even after you go to bed. If you drink, check your blood sugar before bed and possibly during the night.

Stress and Blood Sugar

Stress hormones can make blood sugar rise. If you’re going through a stressful time, you might need to check more often and adjust your medicine.

Hormones and Blood Sugar

Women may notice blood sugar changes during their monthly cycle. Checking more often during this time helps you see patterns and plan ahead.

Working With Your Healthcare Team

Your doctor, diabetes educator, and dietitian all play a role in your diabetes care. Regular visits help you:

Review your blood sugar records together. Your team can spot patterns you might miss and suggest changes to improve your numbers.

Adjust medicines safely. Never change your diabetes medicine on your own. Work with your doctor to find the right doses.

Learn new skills. Diabetes management keeps changing. New tools, medicines, and strategies come out all the time. Your team keeps you up to date.

Get emotional support. Living with diabetes is hard sometimes. Your healthcare team understands and can connect you with resources that help.

Schedule checkups at least every 3 months if your diabetes is well controlled. You might need more frequent visits if you’re starting new medicine or having trouble with your numbers.

Technology That Helps

Smart meters: Many meters now connect to phone apps. The apps show graphs and trends, making patterns easier to see.

CGM systems: With insurance coverage of continuous glucose monitors improving and with Medicare covering CGMs for anyone who uses an insulin pump, injects insulin multiple times a day, or checks their blood glucose at least four times a day, there will likely be more and more people who begin to use them.

Insulin pumps with CGMs: Some systems connect your insulin pump directly to your CGM. The pump can adjust insulin automatically based on your blood sugar.

Telehealth visits: Many doctors now offer video appointments. You can share your blood sugar data electronically and get help without leaving home.

Final Thoughts

Checking your blood sugar is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy with diabetes. How often you check depends on your diabetes type, your medicines, and your personal health goals.

Most people with type 1 diabetes check 4 to 10 times daily. People with type 2 diabetes who take insulin check several times a day. If you manage diabetes without insulin, you might check less often.

The right testing schedule is one you can stick with. It should give you the information you need without taking over your whole day. Work with your doctor to create a plan that fits your life.

Remember, every check gives you valuable information. Your blood sugar numbers help you make better choices about food, exercise, and medicine. Over time, regular checking helps prevent serious problems like heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss.

If you need help managing your diabetes or want to learn more about blood sugar testing, schedule an appointment at Yorktown Health. Our team provides personalized care that works with your schedule and your life. We’re here to support you every step of the way.