CHAPTER 20 · TECH & MONITORING
BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL TARGETS
What healthy target levels look like — and what HbA1c actually tells you.
Blood sugar can be checked in different ways. Some tests show your current levels, others show how well your blood sugar has been managed over the past few months. The better you manage your daily levels, the better your long-term blood sugar results will be.
How blood sugar is tracked
Two ways to look at it — right now, and the bigger picture.
🩸 HbA1c
- Shows average blood sugar levels over the past few months.
- Usually checked every 3 months.
Target values:
- 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) — sometimes considered during the honeymoon phase for some patients
- Below 7% (<53 mmol/mol) — usual target
- 7.5% — may apply if there is a high risk of hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar levels), especially if you have trouble noticing symptoms
📊 Plasma glucose (blood sugar) levels
- In type 1 diabetes: measured several times per day, usually before every meal.
- In type 2 diabetes: depends on your medication — people on insulin check daily, while those on other medications may only need HbA1c follow-ups.
🧪 Ways to check
- Finger prick and glucose meter
- CGM system
For more on each, see Chapter 18: Finger Prick & CGM.
Targets are personal
Why your numbers may look different from someone else’s.
👤 What targets depend on
- Age
- How long you’ve had diabetes
- Access to diabetes technology (like an insulin pump)
- Other health and mental health conditions
- Changes in daily routine (e.g., travel)
- Physical activity
General target ranges
A rough guide — your medical team sets the right numbers for you.
⚠️ Rough guide — please discuss with your medical team
- Before a meal: 70–130 mg/dL (4–7 mmol/L)
- After a meal: 90–180 mg/dL (5–10 mmol/L)
- At bedtime: 80–140 mg/dL (4.4–7.8 mmol/L)
- Fasting: 70–110 mg/dL (4–8 mmol/L)
Before you go — this chapter is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Your medical team knows you best, so always check with them about your own targets, treatment, and any changes to your routine.