How often you should check your blood sugar depends on the type of diabetes you have, the treatment you are on, and your individual health circumstances.

General Guidelines for Blood Sugar Monitoring

• Typical times to check blood sugar include:
  • When you first wake up, before eating or drinking anything.
  • Before meals.
  • Two hours after meals.
  • At bedtime

• If you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes treated with insulin, you may need to test more frequently, often 4 to 10 times a day, including before and after physical activity and sometimes during the night

• People with type 2 diabetes not on insulin or medications that cause low blood sugar may not need to test daily or as often

• Your healthcare provider will tailor recommendations based on your treatment plan, blood sugar targets, and risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Specific Recommendations by Diabetes Type and Treatment

Diabetes Type / Treatment| Recommended Testing Frequency
---|---
Type 1 diabetes| At least 4 times daily (before each meal and bedtime), plus before/during/after exercise, during illness, and before driving72
Type 2 diabetes on insulin| Several times daily, often before meals and bedtime; frequency depends on insulin type and dose27
Type 2 diabetes on non-insulin medications| May not need daily testing; test as advised by healthcare provider27
Managing diabetes with diet and exercise only| Testing may not be needed daily; follow provider's advice2

Additional Notes

• Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can provide frequent readings throughout the day and night but usually still require occasional fingerstick tests for calibration

• Testing helps identify high or low blood sugar episodes and guides adjustments in diet, activity, and medication

• If you are at risk of hypoglycemia, testing before driving and during long trips is important to prevent dangerous low blood sugar episodes

• Your healthcare team will help set personalized blood sugar targets and advise on the optimal testing schedule for you

In summary, most people with diabetes should check their blood sugar multiple times daily, especially if on insulin, while others may test less frequently. Always follow your healthcare provider’s specific recommendations tailored to your condition and treatment. Regular monitoring helps maintain blood sugar within target ranges and prevents complications