Monitoring blood glucose in type 2 diabetes

People with diabetes need to test their blood glucose regularly, by self-monitoring using the tests below at home and with blood tests ordered by their doctor.

Tests to monitor diabetes

HbA_1c glycated haemoglobin test

People with diagnosed diabetes (type 1 or type 2) will need to have their blood glucose levels monitored using the HbA_1c (glycated haemoglobin) test.

HbA_1c is a substance found normally in your blood that is made up of glucose attached to haemoglobin (the Hb in HbA_1c), which is present in everyone’s red blood cells. High levels of glucose in the blood result in high levels of HbA_1c.

How is the test done?

A blood sample will be taken and sent to a laboratory for testing. The test should be done at least once every 6 months, or as often as your health professional recommends.

What does it tell me?

The HbA_1c test measures your average blood glucose level over the previous 3 months, and gives a reliable estimate of how well your diabetes is being managed. This will help a health professional to decide whether your diet and diabetes medicines are controlling your diabetes effectively or if these need to be changed.

For most people, the recommended level of HbA_1c is 7% (53 mmol/mol) or less. If the HbA_1c level is higher than 7% (53 mmol/mol), it means that your blood glucose has been too high in the past 3 months. Your health professional will advise you about your target HbA_1c target and what you can do to achieve it.

In Australia, HbA_1c testing is currently only used for monitoring diabetes treatment after diabetes has been diagnosed, but in some countries, the test is also used to diagnose diabetes.

The HbA_1c units are changing

Until July 2011, your HbA_1c result was reported only as a percentage (%). From now until July 2013, your result will be presented both as a percentage and as another unit called millimoles per mole (mmol/mol).

After July 2013, your HbA_1c result will only be reported in mmol/mol. For example, a result of 7% will now be reported as 53 mmol/mol.

This change has been made to standardise the way HbA_1c results are reported in all countries world-wide.

The new way of reporting the units will not mean any changes to the way you are tested, your HbA_1c target, or how often you need to be tested. It is simply a different way of reporting the same HbA_1c result.

NPS has developed an HbA_1c unit converter to help you convert your old HbA_1c result into the new mmol/mol unit. Find out more about what the unit change means for you and use the calculator to convert your old units into the new.

How often will the test be done?

The HbA_1c test should be done when your diabetes is first diagnosed and then at least every 6 months after that, or as often as your health professional recommends.

The finger prick test

The ‘finger prick’ test is a test that you can do to check your own blood glucose levels. It doesn’t involve a laboratory test — you can do the test quickly and easily at home, or when you are out exercising, for example.

If you have type 2 diabetes and are taking diabetes medicines that are known to cause low blood sugar or ‘hypos’ (hypoglycaemia), such as insulin or a sulfonylurea, you should regularly monitor your own blood glucose levels.

How is the test done?

The test involves taking a pin-prick droplet of blood from a finger. Wash your hands first. Avoid using your forefinger or thumb. Apply the blood to a disposable 'test strip', and then insert it into a glucose meter. A glucose meter is a small electronic device that reads the amount of glucose in your blood on the test strip.

The test can be done first thing in the morning before a meal (a ‘fasting’ test), or at other times of the day, for example 2 hours after a meal. If the test is performed first thing in the morning before eating food, the target blood glucose reading should be between 6–8 millimoles [mmol] per litre [L], and 2 hours after a meal, it should be 6–10 mmol/L. 

Each type of glucose monitor will need a particular type of test strip, and the instructions tell you where to place a drop of blood from your finger. The arrow shows you which end of the test strip to insert into the glucose meter.

What does it tell me?

The glucose monitoring device shows the blood glucose level at the time the blood sample is taken. Self-monitoring your blood glucose can help you to manage your blood glucose levels and to keep a record of all blood glucose readings over time, which you show to a health professional. This can help to identify any problems with your diet or the day-to-day management of your diabetes.

To find out more, read our information on how often you need to self monitor, monitoring blood glucose during exercise, and glucose monitoring devices.