The document provides information on who should regularly check their blood sugar, how to check blood sugar, and basic diabetes education. People who should regularly check blood sugar include those taking insulin, pregnant women, those unable to control their diabetes, and those experiencing low blood sugar or ketones in their urine. To check blood sugar, one washes their hands, inserts a test strip into a meter, pricks their finger to get a blood sample, touches the strip with blood, and gets the results. The document also defines blood sugar and diabetes, lists common diabetes symptoms and causes, and provides blood sugar and A1C goals.

1. Who should check blood
sugar regularly?
 If you are taking insulin.
 Pregnant women.
 If you cannot control diabetes.
 If you have low blood glucose
with or without any warning
signs.
 If you have ketones in urine.
How to check blood sugar?
 Equipment needed: test strips,
lancing device, needle, meter,
alcohol wipes, and bandages.
1. Wash hand.
2. Insert a test strip into meter.
3. Poke the side of your fingertip
with the lancing device to get
a drop of blood.
4. Touch the test strip with the
drop of blood.
5. Meter displays result.
For more information
on diabetes please visit
the American Diabetes
Association’s website at
www.diabetes.org
Pamphlet adapted from the American
Diabetes Association:
Diabetes Basics American Diabetes
Association.
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-
basics/?loc=db-slabnav. Accessed
December 3, 2015.
Created by Dien Vu, PharmD Candidate
2016.
Diabetes
Education
What is blood sugar?
 Blood sugar is the sugar that
travels in bloodstream to
supply energy to body.
 Sugar is obtained from food
such as bread, rice, wheat,
etc.
 Your body maintains a
constant amount of blood
sugar by secreting insulin
hormone.
What is diabetes?
 Diabetes is a condition when
your blood sugar rises higher
than normal.

2.  There are many types of
diabetes.
 It is important to check with
your doctor to find out early if
you have diabetes.
 There is no cure, but you can
control diabetes!
What are the symptoms
of high blood sugar?
Source: http://www.healthisfuture.com/diets-and-
weight-loss/reverse-your-diabetes-symptoms-today/
What causes high blood
sugar?
 Too much food
 Little to no exercise
 Stress from cold or flu
 Stress from daily life problem
 Dehydration
 Side effects from medications
What is your blood sugar
level?
Fasting and
before meals
2 hours after
a meal
Goal blood
sugar
80-130
mg/dl
< 180
mg/dl
Goal A1C < 7%
Source: American Diabetes Association
 A1c is a test that measures the
averaged blood sugar for the
past 2 to 3 months.
 Blood sugar goal may vary
among patients. Check with
your doctor to find out what
your goal is!
What action steps to take
to maintain your blood
sugar level?
1. Take a deep breath if your
doctor recently diagnosed you
with diabetes. There are ways
to keep you healthy and keep
diabetes under control!
2. Eat a balanced meal with
proper exercise, and take your
prescribed medications.
3. Check your blood sugar as
your doctor recommended.
4. Learn about diabetes through
education programs provided
by the American Diabetes
Association.