Learn more about the basics of diabetes, insulin, and more.
Controlling Blood Sugar
Glossary
A1C (glycosylated hemoglobin)
A blood test that measures average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months.
A blood test that measures average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months.
Glossary
Blood Sugar Level
The amount of sugar (glucose) in a given amount of blood. It is reported as the number of milligrams of glucose in a deciliter of blood, or mg/dL.
The amount of sugar (glucose) in a given amount of blood. It is reported as the number of milligrams of glucose in a deciliter of blood, or mg/dL.
Glossary
Certified Diabetes Educator
A healthcare professional with expertise in diabetes education who has met eligibility requirements and successfully completed a certification exam.
A healthcare professional with expertise in diabetes education who has met eligibility requirements and successfully completed a certification exam.
Glossary
Blood Glucose Meter
A handheld machine that tests blood glucose levels. A drop of blood, obtained by pricking a finger, is placed on a small strip that is inserted in the meter which measures and displays the blood glucose level.
A handheld machine that tests blood glucose levels. A drop of blood, obtained by pricking a finger, is placed on a small strip that is inserted in the meter which measures and displays the blood glucose level.
Glossary
Insulin
A hormone produced in the pancreas by beta cells, which is necessary for glucose (blood sugar) to be able to enter certain cells of the body and be used for energy.
A hormone produced in the pancreas by beta cells, which is necessary for glucose (blood sugar) to be able to enter certain cells of the body and be used for energy.
Your goals: What numbers should you hit?
How to find out if you're in control
Other things that help you control blood sugar
How to find out if you're in control
Other things that help you control blood sugar
Your goal: do your "level" best
Research has shown that keeping your blood sugar levels near normal may help reduce your risk of diabetes complications. Below are the recommended goals for blood sugar control. How are you doing?
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| Test* | ADA1 | ACE2 |
| Blood sugar | 90-130 mg/dL | <110 mg/dL |
| Blood sugar after meals | <180 mg/dL (peak) | <140 mg/dL (2 hours postmeal) |
| A1C† | <7% (patients in general) | <6.5% |
* Do not use these values if you are pregnant. Work with your healthcare provider to determine your target values.
† A1C test values may be different for different test labs. The values used in this chart refer to a range of 4% to 6% for people without diabetes (mean 5%, standard deviation 0.5%).
These guidelines apply to many people, but not to everyone. Your goals may be higher or lower than these guidelines. Your healthcare team will help you set the blood sugar target range that is right for you.
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Keeping blood sugars in range
There are two good ways to find out if your diabetes is in control. You should do both.
1. Test your blood sugar
- Work with your doctor or diabetes educator to learn how to use one of the many types of blood glucose meters that are available for personal use.
- Ask your doctor or diabetes educator what your testing schedule should be. You may be asked to test before meals and at bedtime.
- Also, research suggests that occasionally testing your blood sugar after meals is a good way to find out how well you are controlling your diabetes.
- Keep track of your results in a diary and take it with you for your office visits, so your doctor can check for any trends.
- Think about the numbers in context. Blood sugar numbers by themselves don't tell you much. When you pair them with information about what you eat, how much you exercise, and how much insulin you take, however, they speak volumes.
- This can give a clearer picture of whether your diabetes is in control, since it shows your "average" blood sugar level over a 2 to 3 month period.
- Depending on your treatment and level of diabetes control, an A1C test should be done in your doctor's office every 3 to 6 months.
Insulin can help control your blood sugar, but it doesn't make good control a certainty. That's because insulin works best when it is balanced with all the other things that affect your blood sugar. The other tools that you need to get the most out of your insulin are appropriate food choices, exercise, and blood testing. However, ultimately the most important "tool" for controlling your diabetes is you. As with all tools, insulin works just about as well as the people who use it.
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References:
1. American Diabetes Association. Position Statement: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2006;29(Suppl 1):S4-342.
2. ACE Consensus Statement on Guidelines of Glycemic Control. Endocr Pract. 2002; 8(Suppl.1);5-11.
1. American Diabetes Association. Position Statement: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2006;29(Suppl 1):S4-342.
2. ACE Consensus Statement on Guidelines of Glycemic Control. Endocr Pract. 2002; 8(Suppl.1);5-11.
Important Safety Information
Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are for use in patients with diabetes to control high blood sugar. Humalog should be used with a longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Humalog insulins are contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients sensitive to Humalog or one of its excipients. The safety and effectiveness of Humalog in patients less than 3 years of age have not been established. Safety and effectiveness of Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. There are no clinical studies of the use of Humalog insulins in pregnancy or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include low blood sugar, weight gain, low blood potassium, changes in fat tissue at the site of injection, and allergic reactions, both general and local. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 should not be mixed with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Humalog insulins are available by prescription only. See the Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Patient Product Information for important facts about these products.
Humalog is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are for use in patients with diabetes to control high blood sugar. Humalog should be used with a longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Humalog insulins are contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients sensitive to Humalog or one of its excipients. The safety and effectiveness of Humalog in patients less than 3 years of age have not been established. Safety and effectiveness of Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. There are no clinical studies of the use of Humalog insulins in pregnancy or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include low blood sugar, weight gain, low blood potassium, changes in fat tissue at the site of injection, and allergic reactions, both general and local. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 should not be mixed with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Humalog insulins are available by prescription only. See the Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Patient Product Information for important facts about these products.
Humalog is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
