The NDSS is administered by Diabetes Australia

Blood glucose monitoring

Monitoring (checking) your blood glucose levels is an important part of managing your diabetes.

There are three ways of monitoring

Hba1c-Check

HbA1c check

Is a pathology blood test that shows the effect glucose has had on your red blood cells over the past 10 to 12 weeks. 

Blood-Glucose-Meter-Checking

Blood glucose meter to check your blood glucose level

Next you can use a blood glucose meter to check your blood glucose level. It’s a check you can do yourself that shows you your current blood glucose level.

Monitoring your blood glucose level shows the effect insulin, food, activity, stress, and illness has on your blood glucose level at the point in time when you’re checking.

Sensor-Glucose-Monitoring

Sensor glucose monitoring

This is a wearable device that provides a way to check your glucose levels throughout the day and night without pricking your finger.

Monitoring your glucose level shows you the effect of insulin, food, activity, stress, or illness has on your blood glucose level.

HbA1c check 

The HbA1c test is one way of checking how your diabetes is going. This is different from using a meter to check your blood glucose levels at home.

The HbA1c measures the amount of glucose that sticks to the red blood cells over the past 10 to 12 weeks. The more glucose in the bloodstream, the more it sticks to the red blood cells. This causes the HbA1c result to be higher. The red blood cells live for an average of 10 to 12 weeks.

The lower the blood glucose levels, the lower the HbA1c. If your blood glucose levels are in your target range, your HbA1c will likely be in your target range too. Your doctor will send you for this test at least every 3 to 6 months.

Remember, the higher the HbA1c, the greater the risk of developing diabetes-related complications.

Always ask your doctor for your results and discuss what you can do if your HbA1c is not in your target range.

The general target for HbA1c for people with type 1 diabetes is 53 millimoles per mol (mmol/mol) or less. Or in the old measurement, 7 % or less. Sometimes this may be higher or lower depending on your personal circumstances or other health conditions.

You and diabetes health professional will set a HbA1c target that is right for you.

Using a meter to check your blood glucose level

You’ll need a blood glucose meter, blood glucose strips, a lancing device (finger pricker) and a lancet (finger pricking needle). Your diabetes health professional can help you decide which blood glucose meter is best suited to you.

You can use your NDSS card to access subsidised blood glucose strips from your local NDSS Access Point. This is usually your local community pharmacy.

You can also buy blood glucose meters, finger prickers, needles and sharps containers from your pharmacy.

All blood glucose meters store the readings in a memory. So, it’s important to be sure the time and date settings on the meter are correct.

If you prefer, you can write down your readings in a record book or use an app on your smartphone or device. This allows you to share your daily blood glucose patterns with your diabetes health professional.

How to check for ketones

Your diabetes health professional will recommend you check for ketones when your blood glucose level is above your target range or when you’re unwell. There are two options:
  1. Blood ketones using a compatible blood glucose meter and blood ketone strips you purchase from your pharmacy. 
  2. Urine ketones using urine ketone strips (subsidised through the NDSS).

How often should you check your blood glucose?

How often and when to check blood glucose levels is different for each person. Your diabetes health professional will help you decide when the best times are for you to check to manage your diabetes.

The general times to check your blood glucose levels are:

  • before meals to help you decide your insulin dose
  • after meals to see if you need more or less insulin
  • overnight to check if your blood glucose levels are outside your target range.

There are other times that it might be recommended to check your blood glucose levels:

  • before bed, if you’ve been drinking alcohol
  • before, during, and after exercising
  • before driving and every 2 hours during long driving trips
  • if fasting for religious or cultural reasons
  • if you’re feeling unwell or having a medical procedure
  • if you’re feeling like you’re having a low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia or hypo for short), or you feel like your level is above your target range
  • if you’re unsure of your sensor reading.

There may be other times that your diabetes health professional recommends you check your blood glucose levels as part of your diabetes management plan. Your blood glucose readings can help you learn how to make decisions about managing your diabetes.

General guide for blood glucose target ranges

When you wake up:

4-7 mmol/L

Before meals at other times of day:

4-7 mmol/L

2 hours after the start of a meal:

5-10 mmol/L
Check-your-blood-glucose

Sensor glucose check

Flash GM and CGM devices are small wearable devices that keep track of glucose levels throughout the day and night without pricking your finger.

These devices measure glucose in the fluid between your cells instead of in the blood. Sensor readings and blood glucose levels will not usually be the same. The difference is because of the time it takes for the glucose to move from the blood and into the fluid between your cells. This can take 6-12 minutes, depending on your glucose level. This is referred to as “lag time”. You will see the greatest difference between these readings when your glucose levels change quickly.

The benefit of using sensor glucose monitoring devices is continuous tracking and alerts. This gives you the opportunity to make changes to your diabetes management which can lead to more time with glucose levels in your target range. It can also help you manage diabetes more confidently during everyday activities such as eating out, exercise or travel. Your diabetes health professional can help you decide which device best suits you and your lifestyle.

Different types of sensors

Flash-GM-Device

What is a Flash GM device?

A Flash GM a small wearable device. In Australia, the FreeStyle Libre 2 is the only Flash GM device that is currently available and subsidised through the NDSS.

Flash GM has two main parts: a sensor that is inserted under the skin on the back on the arm every 14 days, and a reader that scans and shows your glucose data. The reader is either a blood glucose and ketone meter or compatible smartphone or device using an app. It can’t be linked to an insulin pump.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 can be programmed to alert you if your glucose levels are outside your target range. It also has arrows to show whether your glucose level is rising, falling, or staying steady.

CGM-Device

What is a CGM device?

A CGM device is a small wearable device. In Australia, the Dexcom G6 and Medtronic Guardian are the CGM devices that are available and subsidised through the NDSS.

CGM devices have 3 main parts. The first is the sensor, which is a smell electrode inserted just under the skin, usually on the tummy or arm. Depending on the device, you need to insert a new sensor every 7-10 days. The second is the transmitter, which is attached to the sensor, and sends the data to a wireless receiver. Depending on the type, the transmitter will need to be replaced every 3-12 months and are not reuseable. Lastly, is the receiver that stores the data. This is either an insulin pump or a compatible smartphone or device.

These devices can be programmed to alert you if your glucose levels are outside your target range. They have arrows to show whether your glucose level is rising, falling, or staying steady.

Find out more

To access CGM and Flash GM products through the NDSS, you will need to see an authorised health professional to determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria and to ensure that you know how to best use CGM or Flash GM in the management of your diabetes. Go to ndss.com.au to find out more.

What's the difference between CGM and Flash GM?

When deciding between CGM or Flash GM devices, it’ll depend on what features you want to use to manage your diabetes.

Here are some key features to consider:

  • With a CGM device, your most recent glucose levels show automatically on a smartphone or device.
  • Some CGM devices can “talk” to an insulin pump. This is important if you’re going to use a special insulin pump system called a “hybrid closed loop”.
  • With a Flash GM device you choose when you want a reading, by scanning or waving your reader or smartphone over the sensor. But your most recent glucose levels will show automatically if you use the app on a smartphone to see your results.

Your diabetes health professionals can help you decide if a CGM or a Flash GM is right for you. They will work with you to choose the right device for your lifestyle and diabetes management.

Flash GM and CGM devices are great tools to help you manage your diabetes. Work with your diabetes health professional to get the best out of using your device.

Find out more

  • Download our Compatibility chart to find out more about CGM devices and insulin pumps.
  • Go to ndss.com.au or call NDSS Helpline 1800 637 700 for more information.

Where to get diabetes supplies

The NDSS is an initiative of the Australian Government and is administered by Diabetes Australia.

The NDSS gives you access to subsidised diabetes products to help you manage type 1 diabetes. Go to these links for more information about subsidised products.

You can order your subsidised NDSS supplies at a NDSS Access Point (usually a community pharmacy).

To find a community pharmacy in your area:

Other supplies

  • Disposable pen device: This device is supplied with the insulin, when your prescription is filled at your pharmacy. An alternative is a reusable pen device supplied by a diabetes health professional or through your pharmacy.
  • Insulin: Insulin is supplied through the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS). Your doctor or diabetes a nurse practitioner will give you a prescription for insulin. Insulin will come in five boxes. Each box has 5 cartridges for a reusable pen or 5 disposable pens.

You can purchase products such as adhesive, wipes, patches, lancets, management diaries through your local pharmacy or online diabetes shop.

NDSS registration

  • Call the NDSS Helpline 1800 637 700 and ask to speak to a diabetes health professional about how the NDSS can support you.
  • Your NDSS registration gives you access information, programs, support services, and subsidised diabetes products through your local pharmacy. Go to ndss.com.au to find out how to manage your NDSS registration.
  • Sign in to My NDSS to access the support that is available to you and your family.

Disposing of your sharps safely 

You will need to dispose of your used syringes, pen needles, lancets, CGM and Flash GM sensors, and used insulin pump cannula and inserter in a safe way.

To avoid a needle stick injury, make sure your sharps are disposed of in a strong, plastic, screw top container that’s puncture proof.

You can purchase an Australian Standard Sharps container, or you can use a strong plastic container with a tight-fitting screw top lid such as a bleach bottle.

Avoid using thin plastic containers that may be pierced, glass, cardboard, or aluminum containers as they’re not puncture or shatter proof.

Only put sharps in your sharps container.

Used wrappings or paper waste can be safely disposed of in your household garbage bin.

When your container is full, seal the lid firmly and take it to your local sharps disposal site where it will be incinerated. This may be at your local hospital, council, or pharmacy.