Getting the Big Picture: Keeping a Log

Blood glucose monitoring tells you your blood glucose level at one moment in time. But to get the bigger picture on how your blood glucose levels change over a period of time, it will be necessary to keep a log of your results. Make sure you keep track of related events, such as exercise, unusual stress, and special meals. When you do, you and your doctor or diabetes-care team can use your records to learn what your test results mean for you. This takes commitment- and it takes time. (Be sure to ask your doctor for guidelines on to call if your test results fall outside of a certain range.)

For more information on blood glucose testing and the importance of logging your results, please contact us for your free guide to better office visits. It's called The Doctor Will See You Now!, and it offers suggested questions that you can ask your doctor, space to record the answers and take notes, a checklist of tests you may expect to get, and diabetes-care tips you can use every day.

Keep a record of your glucose levels and medication dose, especially any changes in your medication. In the "notes" section, write down any changes in food, exercise, illness, stress, or insulin reactions. Bring your log book with you to your next appointment, so that your doctor or diabetes care-team can refer to it for specific information about your progress.