Checking blood glucose is necessary to:

• Calculate the appropriate insulin dose
• Adjust insulin doses over time
• See patterns of high or low glucose at certain times of day; with certain means; and with physical activity
• Prevent serious problems from developing:
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

When to check:

• Before each meal for insulin dose calculation
• At bedtime to ensure blood glucose is at a safe level before going to sleep. This number also helps to determine if the long-acting insulin dose is appropriate.
• At 2:00AM to ensure blood glucose is not going low overnight. We can usually have you stop checking at this time at the first visit if there are no low blood glucoses or if the long-acting insulin is not increased.
• As needed for symptoms to determine if blood glucose is high or low.

We encourage you to only check if you are able to do something with the result, such as treat a low blood glucose.

• You should always check blood glucose if your child is feeling or showing signs of low blood glucose.
• If blood glucose is high but it has not been 3 hours since the last insulin injection, a correction dose is not recommended unless advised by the doctor. A correction dose can be given earlier than 3 hours if using an insulin pump.
• Do not use the meter to check blood glucose of other family members or friends. The result stays in the meter memory and will be interpreted as your child'd blood glucose.