Knowing your blood glucose (also called blood sugar ) level is important to controling diabetes.. Regular testing can help you track your blood sugar level to see if they stay close to normal or go up and down. Testing your blood sugar helps you see how well you are balancing your food intake, physical activity, medicine, and stress. It's the only way to know for sure whether you are controlling your diabetes. If your blood sugar levels are too high or too low, you need to work with your health care provider to change your treatment plan and reach your target level of control.

There are two types of blood sugar tests to manage your diabetes. One is the hemoglobin A1c test (also called H-b-A-one-c), which is given by a health care provider. It measures the average amount of sugar in your blood over an extended period of time. The other is a finger-stick test you can do yourself using a blood glucose meter to measure your blood sugar at the time of the test. Together, these tests give a complete picture of blood sugar control.

Normal Blood Sugar before breakfast
From 70 to 120 is healthy
Your blood sugar should be as close to this as possible.

Low Blood Sugar
Less than 70 is too low
This is called Hypoglycemia (Low sugar in the blood)

High Blood Sugar
More than 180 is really too high
More than 240 is out of control or dangerously
This is called Hyperglycemia (High sugar in the blood)

Ask your doctor or diabetes teacher about how low or how high your blood glucose should get before you take action. For many people, blood glucose is too low below 70 mg/dL and too high above 240 mg/dL.

One other number to know is the result of a blood test your doctor does called the A1C. It shows your blood glucose control during the past 2 to 3 months. For most people, the target for A1C is less than 7 percent.