Monitoring is an essential part of managing any medical condition. However, diabetes monitoring is crucial to ensuring you avoid any complications that can result from diabetes. The goal of diabetes treatment is to control blood sugar levels. Your healthcare provider will recommend ranges that you should keep your blood sugar within.

Optimal blood sugar readings prevent diabetes complications while providing enough sugar for your body to have fuel. When blood sugar falls too low, you can’t think or function normally. If blood sugars stay, too high damage can occur to the body. Long term complications from uncontrolled diabetes include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Kidney damage or kidney failure
• Diabetic retinopathy (eye retina damage)
• Bone and joint problems
• Teeth and gum problems

Monitoring diabetes will include checking glucose levels. This can be done at home using a device called a glucometer. Most glucometers require a fingerstick to obtain a drop of blood, but some newer glucometers use a sensor attached to the skin for measurement. You’ll also need blood tests periodically to measure A1C or glycosylated hemoglobin.

Monitoring diabetes allows your healthcare provider to make medication changes to keep your blood sugar in the optimal range. Doses may be adjusted up or down, and medications can be started or stopped as needed.