People with diabetes know that we are all supposed to check our blood glucose. But it’s sometimes frustrating to look at the results and see a number that’s too high or too low.

If you think about it, that number is giving you information you need to maintain the best possible control.

Here are 10 good reasons for checking your blood glucose:

1. Helping You Make the Right Decisions

This reason is the most important, says Barbara Bradley, RN, MS, CDE. “Checking your blood glucose helps you make the right decisions about your self-management.”

2. Improving Your Control

As reported in the October 2002 issue (“No Surprise: Cost of Strips Limits Testing,” p. 67), a recent study confirmed that people who tested more often had better blood glucose control.

3. Helping You Make Insulin and/or Medication Adjustments

If you find that your blood glucose is always higher or lower than your target range at certain times of the day, you and your healthcare provider can adjust dosages to help you maintain better control in the long run.

4. Providing Immediate Feedback

Testing gives you immediate feedback, allowing you to take quick action to either bring down that high or raise a low blood glucose.

5. Gauging the Effect of New Foods

Check your blood glucose before you eat that new dish—and then again two hours after you have taken the first bite. The result will let you know whether you will need to adjust the amount you eat in the future or adjust your insulin dosage.

6. Gauging the Effect of Exercise

Are you exercising? What does the exercise do to your blood glucose levels? Does walking lower your blood glucose more than swimming? The only way you can determine how your activity affects your blood glucose is to test before and after—and sometimes during—exercise.

7. Keeping You Out of Danger

If you are no longer able to detect the symptoms of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia unawareness), you need to test more frequently. Testing will alert you that your blood glucose is dropping before you get into the danger zone.

8. Keeping You Safe Behind the Wheel

Don’t forget to test before you drive. Low blood glucose while you are driving can put you at risk for having an accident. And an accident could result in injury—or even death—to you, your passengers and people in any other vehicle that gets in your way.

9. Letting You Know Just How Ill You Are

Test often when you are sick. The stress of an illness such as a cold or the flu can increase your blood glucose levels. Keeping your numbers in range as much as possible will help you to recover faster. You might also need to be checking for ketones when you are sick.

Don’t forget to take your insulin or medication, even if you’re not eating. Your body still needs help to control your diabetes. Talk to your doctor about how to adjust your usual doses.

Even before you have an illness, you need to discuss sick day plans with your diabetes educator so that you’ll know what to do when you’re “under the weather.” Review the plan every few months to make sure you’re familiar with what you need to do. Also review the plan with your educator when your diabetes regimen changes.

10. Helping You Adjust Basal Rates and Bolus Doses

If you’re an insulin pumper, testing helps you adjust your basal rates and bolus doses. When your basal rates are set so that your blood glucose stays in optimal range and your insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios are accurate, it’s much easier to maintain good control.

How often should you check? That depends on your diabetes and your treatment plan. Some people can stagger their testing patterns and get a good picture of their control by testing only twice a day, while others test 10 or more times per day.

Check with your doctor to determine what is best for you.