Why do I need to check my blood sugar?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Almost one in three Americans with prediabetes or diabetes don’t even know they have this serious disease. Signs of diabetes include fatigue, frequent urination and extreme thirst. You can determine your blood sugar level with a simple finger stick test that you can purchase or have conducted at your doctor’s office.
Diabetes indicates that your blood glucose is too high and your body is inhibited from producing enough insulin (secreted by the pancreas) to keep blood sugar levels stable.
Here are the blood sugar numbers you need to know. Your fasting blood glucose level means you did not eat the night before it was measured.
- Normal: Fasting blood glucose: 70-100 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: Fasting blood glucose: 100-125 mg/dL
- Diabetes: Fasting blood sugar: over 136 mg/dL
Almost one in three Americans with prediabetes or diabetes don’t even know they have this serious disease. Signs of diabetes include fatigue, frequent urination and extreme thirst. You can determine your blood sugar level with a simple... More -
Dr. Jack Merendino of The Best Life answered:There are certain situations when you'll need to take more regular blood sugar readings. These include:
- When you are first diagnosed. You'll benefit from frequent testing for
the first several weeks or until you see your blood sugar levels
stabilize. - When you make any changes to your exercise frequency or intensity.
- When you make any changes to your diet, such as cutting calories or
adjusting carbohydrate, protein, or fat intake. - When your doctor changes your medication or dosage.
- When your blood sugar levels were well controlled but now have gone
off course. - When you become ill with a cold or flu or other condition, especially
one that makes you sick to your stomach or prevents you from
keeping down fluids.
There are certain situations when you'll need to take more regular blood sugar readings. These include: When you are first diagnosed. You'll benefit from frequent testing for the first several weeks or... More - When you are first diagnosed. You'll benefit from frequent testing for
