The Importance of Checking Blood Sugar Levels Besides helping to keep blood sugar levels (also known as blood glucose levels) under control, checking them according to the diabetes management plan will help you and your child: feel more aware and in control of what is happening with your child's diabetes prevent short-term diabetes symptoms and future health problems troubleshoot problems and make changes to the diabetes management plan promptly and effectively manage sick days better understand of the impact of food, exercise, and medicines on blood sugar levels When and How Often to Check Levels How often you should test your child's blood sugar levels each day — and when — depends on a number of things and can even change from day to day. In general, most kids with diabetes test their blood sugar levels before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and at bedtime. They may need to check more often when they're sick or if there are changes in their diabetes treatment or daily habits. They may also need to check more often if they use an insulin pump or have a management plan that aims for very close control of blood sugar levels. The diabetes health care team can advise you on how often and when to check. Sometimes parents need to check their child's blood sugar levels in the middle of the night. For example, kids having problems with hypoglycemia episodes may need middle-of-the-night tests. And those who've just been diagnosed with diabetes may need more frequent tests while they and their families are learning how insulin or other diabetes medicines affect blood sugar levels. How to Check Blood Sugar Levels Blood glucose testing is easier, less painful, and more accurate than ever. Blood sugar levels can be tested with a blood glucose meter, a computerized device that measures and displays the amount of glucose in a blood sample. To get a blood sample, a small needle called a lancet is used to prick the skin (usually on a finger or the forearm) to draw a drop of blood. The drop of blood is placed on a testing strip that goes into the glucose meter, and the blood glucose reading appears on a screen within a few seconds. Many types of glucose meters are available with different features. But most people choose the type of equipment covered by their insurance plans. When choosing a glucose meter, consider: Cost: Most insurance plans cover the cost of glucose meters and test strips, but may limit the number of test strips they cover (and test strips are the most expensive part of monitoring blood sugar levels). Make sure you know what your insurance will cover before investing in a glucose meter. User-friendliness: Choose a glucose meter that is easy to use and maintain. One that doesn't need large blood samples might be better for young kids, for example, while an easy-to-calibrate meter might be better for teens taking on more of their own diabetes care. Glucose meters that take less time to give results may also be preferred. Special features: Glucose meters are available in both large, easier-to-handle sizes as well as small, more portable sizes. Other features may include memory storage and the ability to record other information like date, time, food intake, and exercise. Being able to download glucose readings into a computer program is an attractive feature for many families. New Technologies New technologies make it easier to keep track of blood sugar levels. Adjustable lancets can make finger pricks less painful by changing the depth to which the needle enters the skin. Some glucose meters can use blood drawn from a forearm or other body parts that may be less sensitive than a fingertip. You or your child's doctor might want to get an even more detailed look at blood sugar level changes. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are wearable devices that measure blood sugar every few minutes throughout the day and night via a sensor inserted under the skin. By providing a more detailed profile of a child's blood sugar levels, CGMs can help some kids with diabetes do an even better job of "fine-tuning" their blood sugar control. The diabetes health care team will help you choose the best equipment for your child. Other Tests Glycosylated Hemoglobin The glycosylated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c or HbA1c) test will give you an overall picture of what your child's blood glucose control has been over the 2 to 3 months before the test and is usually done during regular clinic visits with the diabetes health care team. Hemoglobin is the substance inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to the cells of the body. The higher the glucose level is in the blood, the more it sticks to the hemoglobin. And once hemoglobin picks up glucose, the glucose stays on it for the life of the red blood cell, which is about 2 to 3 months. The most commonly measured type of hemoglobin in the blood that has glucose attached to it is called HbA1c. In general, the lower (and closer to the levels seen in people without diabetes) your child's HbA1c, the better controlled the blood sugars have been over the last 2 to 3 months. Having lower HbA1c levels over years is associated with a lower risk of future health problems related to diabetes. Ketones Another important test checks for ketones, chemicals that show up in the urine (pee) and blood after the body breaks down fat for energy. The body will break down fat when it can't use glucose; for example, when there isn't enough insulin to help the glucose get into the cells or not enough food has been eaten to provide glucose for energy (such as when a child is ill). Having lots of ketones in the body can put a child at risk for a major diabetes emergency called diabetic ketoacidosis, which can make kids very sick. So it's important to test for ketones when necessary before they build up in the body. It's an easy test to do at home. The diabetes health care team will let you know how and when to test for ketones (usually when your child is having consistently high blood sugar test results or is ill with vomiting or other symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis). They'll also teach you how to interpret the results as part of your child's overall treatment plan. Record Keeping While glucose meters can help keep track of your child's blood sugar tests, writing down the results or reviewing downloads/printouts of blood glucose monitor data will make it easier for you and the diabetes management team to see patterns and trends. Back to Articles Related Articles Blood Glucose Record If you have diabetes, you can use this printable sheet to record your blood glucose levels. Read More Diabetes Center Our Diabetes Center provides information and advice for teens about treating and living with diabetes. Read More Diabetes Center Does your child have type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Learn how to manage the disease and keep your child healthy. Read More When Blood Sugar Is Too High Too much glucose in the blood can be unhealthy. Learn more about what to do when blood sugar is too high in this article for kids. Read More When Blood Sugar Is Too Low Hypoglycemia is the medical word for low blood sugar level. It needs to be treated right away. Learn more about what to do when blood sugar is too low in this article for kids. Read More When Blood Sugar Is Too Low When blood glucose levels drop too low, it's called hypoglycemia. Very low blood sugar levels can cause severe symptoms that need to be treated right away. 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Your child's diabetes health care team can help. Read More Helping Kids Deal With Injections and Blood Tests Blood tests and insulin injections can be a challenge for kids with diabetes and their parents. Here are some strategies for coping with these necessary procedures. Read More Carbohydrates and Diabetes If you have diabetes, your doctor may have recommended keeping track of how many carbohydrates (carbs) you eat. But what exactly are carbs and how do they affect your blood sugar? Read More Blood Glucose Record If your child has diabetes, you can use this printable sheet to record his or her blood glucose levels. Read More Hyperglycemia and Diabetic Ketoacidosis When blood glucose levels (also called blood sugar levels) are too high, it's called hyperglycemia. A major goal in controlling diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels as close to the desired range as possible. Read More When Blood Sugar Is Too High For people with diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels is important. Having a blood sugar level that's too high can make you feel lousy, and having high blood sugar levels a lot can be unhealthy. Read More Treating Type 2 Diabetes Kids who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will need a diabetes management plan to help them manage the condition and stay healthy and active. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.