Questions About Blood Sugar Control
- Will I have low blood sugars?
- How often will I need to check my blood sugar?
- What are blood sugar goals and why are they important?
- What is an A1C?
Will I have low blood sugars?
Any time you take insulin, there is a risk of having low blood sugar. Any blood sugar 70 mg/dL and below is generally considered low. The most common causes of low blood sugar include:
- Getting more exercise than usual
- Taking too much diabetes medication
- Eating at the wrong time for the medicine you take
- Skipping or not finishing meals or snacks
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
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How often will I need to check my blood sugar?
You'll need to check your blood sugar at different times throughout each day. It's important to check often to see what's happening, and to check at different times to get a complete picture. Here are some times when it's important to check your blood sugar:
- First thing in the morning
- Before meals
- Two hours after meals
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What are blood sugar goals and why are they important?
Research has shown that near-normal blood sugar levels may help reduce the risk of long-term health problems with diabetes. Below are the recommended goals for blood sugar control.
| 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%).
† 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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What is an A1C?
Sugar in your blood stream tends to "stick" to the hemoglobin inside red blood cells and other body proteins. The amount of sugar stuck to the hemoglobin can be found with a "glycosylated hemoglobin test" or A1C test. Because red blood cells live in the blood stream for about 120 days, the A1C test shows the average blood sugar for the past two to three months. Depending on your treatment and level of diabetes control, an A1C test should be done in your doctor's office every three to six months. The ADA recommends that your A1C be less than 7% (for patients in general).1 Your healthcare team will set the target that is right for you.
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References:
1. American Diabetes Association. Position Statement: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2006;29 Suppl 1:S4-42.
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:S4-42.
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.
