When to test
Testing times vary by individual and treatment plan — always follow your diabetes team's advice. Common testing schedules for type 2: fasting (before breakfast), before meals, two hours after meals, and at bedtime. Testing before and after a meal shows you exactly how specific foods affect your glucose.
Understanding the numbers
UK target ranges (personalise with your team): fasting 4–7 mmol/L; two hours after meals below 8.5 mmol/L. A reading above these ranges is not a crisis — it is information. Note what you ate, your activity level and any stress factors. Trends over days and weeks matter more than individual readings.
Tracking the pattern
A blood sugar log over 2–4 weeks reveals patterns invisible from individual readings: which meals cause the biggest spikes, whether exercise reduces morning glucose, whether stress affects levels. Bring the completed log to every GP and diabetes nurse appointment.
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