Being a type 2 diabetic, how often should I check my blood sugar?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My fasting glucose was 108 mg/dL, and my A1C was 6.6 %. I was not put on medication yet but instead will work on my weight, exercise, and diet over the next three months before my next visit to see if I can prevent getting worse. I am 6'1," and 285 lbs. I am mostly sedentary but will be introducing an elliptical workout every other day for about 20 to 30 minutes a time. I purchased an diabetes monitoring system, but need to know how often and when I should check my blood sugar and what should my target ranges be? I need to know what my daily gram and carbohydrate intake should be. Or, even better, what should my percentages be based on my 1,790 caloric daily intake of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Currently, they are based on the ADA recommendations. Carbohydrates 40 %/179 g, protein 35%/157 g and fat 25 %/50 g. I also have high blood pressure. I am on 100 mg Losartan, and my reading today was 117/84/77 bpm. Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have provided good necessary information to start. My strategy as a diabetes specialist, I like to do very detail analysis to make a customized approach for each patient. Based on the information, you provided, you should be on medication from my experience, like low dose Metformin 500 mg twice daily with meals, or Metformin 500 mg. Extended-release once daily. While you work on diet and exercise, this is help also prevent complication from diabetes. Metformin will help you lose weight too. Metformin also improves your insulin work better for you for better and quick control of blood sugar. You can check blood sugar three times weekly, at different times. E.g., one-day fasting (before breakfast, second-day post-lunch, and third day at bedtime. (2 hours post-dinner). Keep diary readings. However, you prefer to see the trend of your blood sugar. Normal range fasting in the morning 90 to 120 mg/dL. Post-meal 120 to 140 mg/dL average is good. I recommend a high protein, low carbohydrate diet for you. You are in more top weight category so surely gradually need to lose weight, do not attempt instant aggressive weight loss you will end up injuring yourself and will regain weight too. I would keep carbohydrates less than 140 grams for a day overall. 1800 calorie diet max will be fine for you if you wish to lose weight then 1500 calories. You are more than welcome to request detail 30 minutes to 1-hour consult as well, I go into much detail to have full analysis, and I address all potential complications and nutrition and medicines.

Being a type 2 diabetic, how often should I check my blood sugar?

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