Blood Glucose Levels
Good diabetes control means having blood glucose (sugar) values within these limits:
- Before Breakfast : 4.0 - 8.0 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals : 6.0 - 10.0 mmol/l
- Randomly, at any time : below 10.0 mmol/l
However, because of individual differences, your target blood glucose level is best decided by your doctor.
It is very useful to do home blood glucose monitoring if you wish to have good control of your diabetes.
Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HBA1c)
Glycosylated haemoglobin, or HBA1c, measures the average blood glucose in the blood over the past 6 to 8 weeks.
- Excellent : less than 6%
- Satisfactory : 6% to 8%
- Poor : more than 8%
- Urine Glucose
Urine glucose is measured with a special test strip which changes colour after being dipped into urine depending on the amount of glucose in the urine. For various reasons it is not as accurate as blood glucose monitoring which is preferred.
For good control of your diabetes, keep your urine free of glucose always.
Blood fats
In all people, cholesterol should be below 5.2 mmol/l (200 mg/dl) and certainly not above 6.5 mmol/l (250 mg/dl).
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure should be below 140/85 mm Hg in young people, and below 160/95 mmHg in older people.
Weight and Height
Tall people naturally weigh more, so weight has to be interpreted in relation to height. This is done by the 'Body Mass Index' or BMI.
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height(m)2
The ideal BMI is between 20 to 25, and the health risk increases steadily above this level.
Smoking
Among other problems, smoking causes diseases of the heart and circulation. As diabetes also carries a risk of damage to the heart and circulation, smoking is particularly dangerous to people with diabetes, and greatly increases the risk of a heart attack, stroke and foot gangrene.