When using your Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), your target blood sugar levels are generally recommended to be within specific ranges depending on the time of day, aligning with effective glucose management.
Understanding Target Glucose Ranges
Maintaining specific blood sugar levels is crucial for overall health and managing conditions like diabetes. Your Dexcom device provides continuous readings that help you understand if your glucose is within the desired range, allowing for timely adjustments to diet, activity, or medication.
Here are the generally recommended target blood sugar levels:
| Time | Target Blood Sugar Level (mmol/L) |
|---|---|
| Before Meals | 4 to 7 |
| Two Hours After Meals | Less than 10 |
| At Bedtime | 5 to 8 |
These ranges serve as a guide to help you and your healthcare provider assess your glucose control throughout the day and night.
Why Monitoring with Dexcom is Key
The Dexcom CGM system offers real-time glucose readings, allowing for dynamic tracking of your blood sugar trends. This continuous data provides valuable insights into how different factors—such as food, exercise, stress, and medication—impact your glucose levels, enabling more informed decisions about your daily routine.
For more detailed information on continuous glucose monitoring and its benefits, you can explore resources on the Dexcom website.
Practical Tips for Managing Blood Sugar
Effective blood sugar management with your Dexcom involves more than just knowing your numbers; it's about understanding and responding to the trends.
- Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Always discuss your personal target ranges with your doctor or diabetes educator. Individual goals may vary based on age, overall health, duration of diabetes, and other factors.
- Analyze Trends, Not Just Numbers: Look at the patterns over time rather than just isolated readings. Your Dexcom provides trend arrows, which indicate whether your glucose is rising, falling, or stable, helping you anticipate future levels.
- Understand Influences: Pay attention to how specific foods, physical activity, medication timing, and even stress levels affect your glucose readings.
- Utilize Alerts: Set up custom alerts on your Dexcom to notify you if your glucose goes too high or too low, or if it's changing rapidly. This helps you take prompt action.
- Consistent Monitoring: Regular use of your Dexcom provides the most comprehensive data for you and your healthcare team to make the best management decisions.
By understanding and actively managing your blood sugar levels with your Dexcom, you can work towards better health outcomes and improved quality of life.
