A comprehensive program from Merck

• Taking diabetes to heart
• Cuida tu diabetes, Cuida tu corazon
• Reducing Risk
• Seeking Support
• Working With Your Doctor
• Diabetes Educators And You
• Blood Sugar Highs And Lows
• Is Your Diabetes Under Control?
• Maintaining Emotional Health
• Making Healthy Changes
• Traveling With Type 2 Diabetes
• Sucess Stories

Understanding blood sugar ranges

Fasting
A normal blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dL. Patients with type 2 diabetes have a fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or more.

After meals
A normal blood sugar level after a meal is less than 140 mg/dL. Patients with type 2 diabetes have a blood sugar level of more than 140 mg/dL 2 hours after a meal.

Talk with your health care team about the blood sugar range that is right for you.

When your blood sugar is high (hyperglycemia), you may have these common symptoms: dry mouth, thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, blurred vision, and over time, weight loss without trying. If you have any of these symptoms, test your blood sugar right away.

Reasons for high blood sugar include eating too much, being less active than usual, being sick or under stress, or needing an adjustment in your diabetes medicine.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen when you are taking certain medicines to keep your blood sugar level near normal. However, this is not a reason to stop taking your medicine—just watch carefully for low blood sugar levels.

Low blood sugar is usually caused by eating less or later than usual, being more active than usual, or taking diabetes medicine that is not matched to your needs at that time.

Learn to recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar, which may include feeling nervous, shaky, sweaty, or tired. Symptoms may be mild at first but may worsen quickly if not treated. If you have signs of low blood sugar, test your blood right away. If your blood sugar level is less than 60 mg/dL, eat or drink a carbohydrate immediately, such as 1⁄2 cup of juice (4 oz), 3 teaspoons of honey, or 3 to 5 pieces of hard candy. You may need to have a meal or another snack within 30 minutes. Waiting to treat low blood sugar is not safe.

• Stay as close to your schedule of eating, activity, and medicine as possible
• Check your blood sugar level as directed and share your tracking records with your health care team
• Set goals with your health care team for weight, activity, blood sugar level, and A1C level
• Wear something that lets others know that you have diabetes, such as a necklace or bracelet, in case of an emergency
• Always carry a carbohydrate (such as hard candy) with you so that you can treat a low blood sugar level at any time

Talk to your health care provider if you frequently experience high or low blood sugar levels. You may need to discuss changes in diet, activity, or diabetes medicine.