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Person checking their blood glucose levels

Blood glucose monitoring

Blood glucose monitoring is a way of checking the concentration of glucose in the blood. Checking your blood glucose levels throughout the day will help you make decisions that keep levels within your target range.

Checking your blood glucose levels helps you to:

  • better understand how activity, food, stress, travel and illness influence your blood glucose levels
  • know when you need to seek support from your doctor or diabetes health professionals to adjust your medications or insulin, or for advice on meal planning or physical activity.

Talk to your diabetes health professionals about the target range for your blood glucose levels and your HbA1c test. They will recommend the target ranges that are best for you.

Read more in our fact sheet or watch our video on checking your blood glucose level with a blood glucose meter.

Blood glucose monitoring fact sheet

Checking your blood glucose levels can help you manage your diabetes. You will be able to see what makes your numbers go ‘up’ or ‘down’.

Available in other languages Download now

Find out more about continuous and flash glucose monitoring and how to access subsidised CGM and Flash GM products.

Your doctor, diabetes nurse practitioner and diabetes educator can:

  • give you information about how to check your blood glucose levels
  • work with you to decide how often and at what times it would be best to check your levels
  • help you learn how checking your blood glucose levels regularly can show you patterns that you can use to make decisions about how to manage your diabetes.

To check your blood glucose levels, you need a blood glucose meter, a finger pricking device with lancets and blood glucose monitoring strips.

Some people check their glucose level using a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) or flash glucose monitoring (Flash GM) device. These devices measure glucose in the fluid between your cells instead of in your blood.

Your doctor, diabetes nurse practitioner or diabetes educator can help you choose a blood glucose meter that suits your needs, show you how to use it and help you work out a routine for when to check your blood glucose levels.

Through the NDSS, you can access subsidised products to help you manage your diabetes, including blood glucose strips. If you are registered with the NDSS you may be eligible to access a free blood glucose meter.

How to access a free blood glucose meter

You may be eligible to access a free blood glucose meter if you are registered with the NDSS. Find out which meters are suitable for NDSS-subsidised blood glucose monitoring strips, as well as how to access

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If you are registered on the NDSS and you use insulin, you are able to purchase subsidised blood glucose monitoring strips through the NDSS. If you have type 2 diabetes and do not use insulin, you are able to purchase an initial six-month subsidised supply of blood glucose monitoring strips.

The abbreviation ‘HbA1c’ stands for glycosylated haemoglobin. It is a blood test that tells you about your average blood glucose level over the last 10–12 weeks. The results of an HbA1c can help give you an overall picture of your blood glucose management.

The target HbA1c for many people is 53 mmol/ mol (7%) or less. The goal for most people with diabetes will be ≤7%. But HbA1c targets can vary depending on several factors. It is important to discuss your individual HbA1c target with your doctor, diabetes nurse practitioner or diabetes educator.

You should also arrange this test with your doctor every 3-6 months.

HbA1c podcast

Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about HbA1c, a blood test used to monitor your average blood glucose levels over the past three months or so.

Available in other languages Listen now

High blood glucose levels can put you at risk of a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (also known as DKA).

Read more about ketones and ketoacidosis.

Well-managed blood glucose levels at the time you conceive your baby and throughout pregnancy are important for your health and that of your baby.

Read more about blood glucose levels and pregnancy.

Needles from your finger-pricking device (lancets) should go into a special sharps container and not in your general rubbish. Syringes, insulin pen needles and used blood glucose monitoring strips must also be disposed of safely.

Find out more about the safe disposal of sharps.

It is essential to do an annual cycle of care to find any health problems early. Without regular checks, diabetes can lead to health problems that can affect your whole body, including your kidneys, eyes, feet, nerves and heart. Ask your doctor for the timing of health checks and targets that meet your individual health needs.

Read more in our fact sheet or listen to our podcast series.

Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet

The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year.

Download now
Annual cycle of care podcast series

Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about what it is, why it’s important, and what you need to know about it.

Available in other languages Listen now

More information and support

  • Call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700 and ask to speak to a diabetes educator.
  • Go to Australian Diabetes Educators Association to find a diabetes educator.
  • Go to healthdirect to find diabetes health professionals near you.
  • The NDSS is an initiative of the Australian Government administered by Diabetes Australia. Registration with the NDSS is free and open to everyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes and has a Medicare card. Through the NDSS, you can access subsidised products to help you manage your diabetes, including blood glucose strips. To find out more about NDSS registration and how to access subsidised diabetes products, go to NDSS registration, or call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700.

Featured resources

Blood glucose monitoring fact sheet

Checking your blood glucose levels can help you manage your diabetes. You will be able to see what makes your numbers go ‘up’ or ‘down’.

Available in other languages Download now
Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet

The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year.

Download now
Looking after your eyes fact sheet

Diabetes can cause both short-term and long-term eye problems. Eye problems cause less damage when detected and treated early. Reduce your risk by managing your diabetes and having regular eye checks.

Download now
Managing hypoglycaemia fact sheet

Hypos can occur in people who use insulin and some other types of glucose-lowering medications. Learn about how to recognise the signs and manage hypoglycaemia.

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Continuous glucose monitoring fact sheet

CGM devices are small wearable monitors that measure and show your glucose levels throughout the day and night. They can be programmed to sound alarms and send alerts about your glucose levels.

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Flash glucose monitoring fact sheet

Flash GM devices are small wearable sensors that measure glucose levels throughout the day and night. A reader is scanned over the sensor to see the current glucose level.

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Caring for your diabetes in hospital

It is important that your diabetes is well managed in hospital, regardless for the reason for your admission. Always let your nurses and treating doctors know that you have diabetes.

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Diabetes Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. We recognise their connection to land, waters, winds and culture. We pay the upmost respect to them, their cultures and to their Elders, past and present. We are committed to improving health outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by diabetes and those at risk.

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