How Blood Sugar is Monitored

Monitoring your blood sugar level regularly lets you and your doctor know if your treatment is working. Blood tests to measure your blood sugar level may be used to track your progress.

Postmeal plasma (blood) glucose, or PPG

This test is usually taken 2 hours after you eat. It measures how much your blood sugar level has increased — or spiked — due to the food you recently ate. This is a good test you can do at home to see how well your treatment with Starlix is working, because Starlix works when you eat. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) recommends that your blood sugar level after meals be under 140 mg/dL.

To make the "Two-Hour Test" even easier, open and print our Two-Hour Test Card, which you can take to your next doctor's appointment.

Fasting plasma (blood) glucose, or FPG

This test is usually done in the morning on an empty stomach, after an overnight fast (no food for 8 or more hours). You can do this test at home too. It's a good one to see how well your treatment with metformin or a TZD is working, because these medications mainly work on your blood sugar level between meals.

Glycosylated hemoglobin, or HbA1C

This is the test that doctors rely on to see how well your treatment is working, because it's an average of both your PPG and your FPG over time. It tells your doctor whether your blood sugar has been in control over the past 3 months, by reporting your A1c level. A healthy A1c level is one under 7.0%.

It's important to remember that lowering both your PPG and FPG levels will, in turn, lower your HbA1c, which is the key to keeping your diabetes under control and lowering your risk of diabetic complications.

ADA Treatment Goals

The chart below lists treatment goals for patients with diabetes.

Things to Remember

• Test your blood sugar level as often as directed by your doctor.
• Share your test results with your healthcare provider.
• Learn to use your test results to improve your diabetes control.
• Take your medications exactly as directed.