Diabetes: Knowing Your Numbers is Key to Good Health

Managing diabetes can sometimes feel overwhelming. But, by keeping tabs on 6 key numbers and adjusting your lifestyle as needed, you can take control of your diabetes and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Here's a look at essential numbers you should know and monitor.

Blood Glucose Levels

Blood glucose monitoring is the cornerstone of diabetes management. There are two primary ways to measure your blood glucose:

1. Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG)

This involves checking your blood sugar at home using a glucose meter. The frequency of testing depends on your individual needs and your doctor's recommendations. Generally, you should aim for the following targets:

Before meals: 80-130 mg/dL
Two hours after meals: Less than 180 mg/dL

2. Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C)

This test provides an average of your blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. It's typically measured every 3-6 months.

Target A1C: Less than 7% for most adults with diabetes

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, which are common complications of diabetes.

Target blood pressure: Below 140/90 mmHg

Cholesterol Levels

Managing cholesterol is crucial for reducing cardiovascular risk. You should know your:

LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Target LDL: Below 100 mg/dL
HDL (good) cholesterol
- Target HDL: Above 40 mg/dL for men, above 50 mg/dL for women
Triglycerides
- Target Triglycerides: Below 150 mg/dL

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for diabetes management. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Target BMI: Between 18.5 and 24.9

Waist Circumference

Excess abdominal fat is associated with insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular risk.

Target waist circumference:
- Men: Less than 40 inches
- Women: Less than 35 inches

Kidney Function

Diabetes can affect kidney function over time. Your doctor may monitor your:

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
- Target eGFR: Above 60 mL/min/1.73 m²
Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR)
- Target UACR: Below 30 mg/g

Yes, that’s a lot of numbers to track. Fortunately, there are several tools and things you can do make it easier to stay on top of it all. For example:

Use a diabetes management app to log your numbers and track trends over time.
If you prefer pen and paper, keep a physical logbook.
Set reminders for regular testing and doctor's appointments.

The Vermont Department of Health offers this handy guide for keeping track of when and how often different labs and office visits should be scheduled.

Learn to interpret your numbers and understand how lifestyle factors affect them. If you have questions, reach out to a certified diabetes educator for help.

By consistently monitoring your key metrics and sharing them with your healthcare provider during your visits, you can take an active role in your diabetes management.

Paula Haytko, RN, is a certified diabetes educator with Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.