If you have been diagnosed with diabetes type 2 then I know that you have heard all about your blood glucose and how important it is to keep it normal, but you need to know what is your target blood glucose level.
You should be given a target glucose number by your doctor. If you keep your blood sugar within the target range this will keep you healthy and prevent the complications from diabetes.
Target Blood Glucose before meals should be in the range of 70 to 130.
Target Blood Glucose one to two hours after meals should be less than 180.
Once you talk to your physician about your target blood sugar then keep a record of your blood levels to see how close you stay within the target range.
Once every three months your doctor will take a blood lab that is called A1C. This test will tell the doctor the average blood sugar that you have had over the past three months.
This is a test that you do not want to make a high score on because the lower the better.
Average A1C of 6% = average blood glucose of 135, 7% = 170, 8% = 205, 9% = 240, 10% = 275, 11% = 310, and 12% = 345.
What is your goal for blood pressure? High blood pressure can cause damage to the kidneys, heart and blood vessels. Your physician should give you your target blood pressure. Usually 120/70 is about average. Take your medications and start a physical activity program if you have not already done so.
Watch your numbers, keep up with blood glucose and stay within the target range, and take your blood pressure as often as prescribed by your doctor. It will take planning to manage your diabetes and diet is a large part in keeping your glucose within the target range and losing weight.
There are those who have started a diabetic meal plan and lost 20 to 30 pounds and have actually been able to stop taking some of their medications.