If you have diabetes, you can use a blood sugar test to check blood sugar levels or blood sugar levels.
If you take insulin, you can use a blood sugar tester or glucometer a few times a day. If you’re taking non-insulin medications, you may only need an A1c test, which is done in your doctor’s office, every 3-6 months. An A1c test is a blood test that tells your doctor your average blood sugar level over 3 months.
Blood sugar tests as you get older
As you get older, your doctor may change how you monitor your blood sugar.
“The goals your doctor aims for can change based on your age or other health factors,” said Patrice Conrad, senior diabetes specialist at Priority Health in Grand Rapids, MI.
“Older people are at greater risk of having low blood sugar on certain drugs such as insulin and sulfonylureas,” says Dr. Jocelyne Karam, director of the endocrinology department at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.
You may also be at a higher risk of low blood sugar if you have certain conditions, such as kidney, liver, or heart problems, or if your appetite decreases.
To avoid low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, your doctor wants you to closely monitor your levels with a blood sugar test.
What blood sugar tests do
Your blood sugar levels rise and fall throughout the day. They can rise after eating and then fall after not having eaten for a long time.
Your doctor will give you a target range for your blood sugar level. If it’s too low, you can have trouble functioning and thinking well. If they are too high, it can create problems for your body over time.
A glucometer can be used to check your readings and make adjustments to keep them within a healthy range.
Types of blood sugar tests
There are different types of blood sugar tests.
Fingerstick blood sugar test. This test involves pricking your finger with a lancet to get a small drop of blood. If you put the blood on a strip, the glucometer will show you how high your blood sugar level is at that moment.
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Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). With a CGM test, you apply a sticker-like patch or glucose sensor to your skin. You will get an indication on your smartphone or other device such as an insulin pump. “It can measure and transmit glucose levels every 5 minutes, 24 hours a day,” says Karam. You can change the sensor every 7-14 days.
“The advantage of CGM is that you can always see how high your blood sugar is, preferably without poking,” says Conrad, a registered nurse. A CGM is helpful if you have multiple insulin shots during the day or if your levels vary widely.
How to choose the right test for you
The best test may be the easiest for you to use.
“There are speaking gauges for people who may not see well, and some may have larger numbers for those with poor vision,” says Conrad. Some have backlighting to make them easier to read. Others save your readings so you can share them with your doctor by downloading them.
“Older patients who have trouble sticking their fingers but still need frequent glucose readings can benefit from glucose sensors,” says Karam. However, some technical knowledge is required to use a CGM device and it may not be suitable for all.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which test is best for you.
When should you check your blood sugar?
Your doctor will tell you how often to test your blood sugar levels and if you need to make changes as you get older.
“When you take insulin, they often want you to check it before you eat and before you go to bed,” says Conrad. “If they went high or low, they’ll want at least as many, if not more, tests.”
If your numbers have been running at or near your goal most of the time and you aren’t taking insulin with meals, your doctor may recommend testing less often.
“Patients with type 2 diabetes who are only dieted or medications that do not cause low blood sugar may only have to check with a fingerstick a few times a week,” says Karam.
If you have changes in medication, medical conditions, or appetite, your doctor may recommend adjusting your testing schedule to avoid low blood sugar levels.
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Keep your numbers in old age on target
There are steps you can take to ensure that your blood sugar levels stay within a healthy target range. “A lot of things affect your blood sugar. You have some under control, some not, ”says Conrad.
Here’s what you can do to keep your levels on track.
- Eat healthy most of the time.
- Be as active as you can.
- Manage your stress the best you can.
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Check your blood sugar levels as often as your doctor recommends.
- Take your medication on time every time.
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SWELL:
Patrice Conrad, nurse; Senior Diabetes Specialist, Priority Health, Grand Rapids, MI.
Jocelyne Karam, MD, Director, Department of Endocrinology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY.
American Diabetes Association: “The Big Picture: Check Your Blood Sugar.”
Health in Old Age: “Diabetes Care & Treatment”, “Diabetes Unique to Older Adults.”
Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Diabetes: What You Need To Know As You Get Older.”
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