By Martha Funnell, MS, RN, CDE

There is no question that there is a lot to do when you have diabetes. Paying attention to what you eat, being physically active, checking your blood glucose and keeping up with several different medications all take time and effort. To make life easier, many people with diabetes choose meters with memory to keep track of their blood glucose readings making for one less thing to worry about.

This type of meter can be very helpful. Although writing down your blood glucose levels yourself and keeping a blood glucose log sheet, like the one on the opposite page, or a logbook, can be very useful, as well. Here are some ideas about how log sheets or a logbook can help you keep your blood glucose levels on track.

Why are you checking your blood glucose levels?

People monitor their blood glucose levels for different reasons. For some, it is simply because their health care professional advised them to do so. But you are the one who has diabetes. You are the one who has to care for it day in and day out. Blood glucose monitoring gives you the facts you need to make informed choices.

What do the numbers mean?

It is hard to use the information if you do not know what the numbers mean. It helps to set a target range for your blood glucose level. Some people use the targets set by diabetes experts and others use their own targets. Either way, you need to know where you are aiming so you can make the results meaningful to you.

How can you use the results?

One way to use the results is as a clue for what is happening with your diabetes management. No matter what the reading, think about why your blood glucose level is where it is. Did you eat less or exercise more than usual? Are you stressed? Are you coming down with a cold? Have you been paying more or less attention to your diabetes? Thinking about why your result is what it is helps you to better understand your body and your diabetes.

Look for patterns

Another way to use your results is to look for patterns or times when your blood glucose level is often in or out of your target range. If your blood glucose is not in your target range at certain times on most days, then it is likely you need a change in your treatment plan. If this is the case, do not wait until your next visit. Call your health care provider to let him or her know what is happening. There may be a simple solution. You can learn to make changes in your insulin dose based on these patterns as well and it is easier to see these patterns in a log sheet or logbook.

Check your work

Blood glucose testing can help you see how your medications, meal planning and physical activity affect your blood glucose level. It is easy to get discouraged when you are working hard and the mirror or scale do not reflect those efforts. You may be able to see changes in your glucose levels before you can see changes in your weight. Also, you can get information right away about how different foods or exercises affect your blood glucose level. That helps you know how to plan and what to expect the next time. Writing it down makes it easier to remember.

Getting prepped

Looking back over your blood glucose log sheets or logbook is a good way to get ready for your visit with your health care team. Your results can give you ideas about questions to ask or concerns to raise. Showing your logbook to your health care professionals also helps them make decisions about your treatment.

So why not keep a log?

There are several reasons that people choose not to write down their blood glucose records. If any of these ring true for you, perhaps the hints listed below will help you to think differently.

• “I don’t know what the numbers mean.”

The table found on the log sheet on page 38 can give you some ideas about target ranges. Remember, not every blood glucose reading will be in your range. It is what happens most of the time that counts.

• “My provider does not look at the results.”

It is hard to look at several months worth of numbers and try to make sense out of them. You might try to show your health care provider your blood glucose levels for the week before your visit. If you choose to do this, make sure you check your blood glucose at least two to four times a day and at different times so you have a full picture of a day. Your health care provider can use this record, plus your A1C and the readings in your meter to get a good idea of how your treatment is working.

• “My provider just yells at me about the results.”

Be proactive. Tell your health care provider what you think is going on and why. This can help start a discussion that can lead to a solution, rather than bad feelings.

• “It’s too frustrating.”

It is frustrating when the numbers do not seem to change or reflect your efforts. Keep in mind that your blood glucose reading is just a number. It is not a judgment of you, your efforts or your character. It is simply information. Keeping this in mind will also help you to be honest with yourself as you write down your results and think about why they are what they are.

How keeping track can help you

There are certain times that a log sheet or logbook is especially helpful. For example, when you start a new medication, when your readings are higher or lower than usual for a few days or when you are ill or under more stress than usual.

The main reason to keep a log is to help you take charge of your diabetes. Your meter gives you the power to manage your diabetes. A log sheet or logbook helps you use that power to your best advantage.