Know Your Numbers HbA1c, fasting, and post-meal sugars tells your progress

Understanding Key Blood Sugar Metrics

Monitoring your blood sugar levels is essential for managing diabetes and understanding your overall health. Here are three crucial metrics:

1. HbA1c

HbA1c, or glycated hemoglobin, reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. It provides a long-term view of how well your diabetes is being managed.

2. Fasting Blood Sugar

Fasting blood sugar is measured after an overnight fast. This level indicates how well your body regulates blood sugar when not influenced by recent food intake.

3. Post-Meal Blood Sugar

Post-meal blood sugar levels are taken 1-2 hours after eating. This measurement helps assess how effectively your body processes glucose after meals.

Tracking Your Progress

Regularly checking these numbers can help you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions about your diabetes management plan. Understanding these metrics is key to achieving better health outcomes.