Is a pathology blood test that shows the effect glucose has had on your red blood cells over the past 10 to 12 weeks.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
The general times to check your blood glucose levels are:
There are other times that it might be recommended to check your blood glucose levels:
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.
When you wake up:
Before meals at other times of day:
2 hours after the start of a meal:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 purchase products such as adhesive, wipes, patches, lancets, management diaries through your local pharmacy or online diabetes shop.
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.
