If you’re not a diabetic or haven’t been diagnosed with high blood sugar, you may not think much about checking your blood sugar levels.

However, even if you are not a diabetic, it’s essential to get your blood sugar levels checked at regular intervals.

Why Should You Check Your Blood Sugar Levels?

Blood sugar levels are an important indicator of your overall health. High blood sugar levels can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, heart diseases, and other complications. Some of the reasons why you should check your blood sugar levels include:.

1. Diabetes Prevention

As we mentioned earlier, high blood sugar levels increase your risk of developing diabetes. If your blood sugar levels are in the normal range, it’s less likely that you’ll develop diabetes later in life.

By checking your blood sugar levels regularly, you can identify any potential issues early on and take steps to prevent diabetes from developing.

2. Early Detection of Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. Early detection of prediabetes can help you take steps to prevent it from progressing into diabetes.

3. Better Management of Diabetes

If you are already diagnosed with diabetes, checking your blood sugar levels regularly is even more important.

Monitoring your blood sugar levels helps you understand how different foods, medications, and lifestyle changes impact your blood sugar levels, enabling you to better manage your condition.

How Often Should You Check Your Blood Sugar Levels?

The frequency with which you should check your blood sugar levels largely depends on your age, overall health, and any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. Here are some general guidelines:.

Non-Diabetics

If you’re not a diabetic, you should check your blood sugar levels at least once every three years as part of your routine health check-up.

If you have a family history of diabetes or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend that you get checked more frequently.

Diabetics

If you have diabetes, you should check your blood sugar levels multiple times a day, depending on your insulin regimen and other factors.

Your healthcare provider can help you determine how often you should check your blood sugar levels and what the target range should be.

How to Check Your Blood Sugar Levels?

There are several ways to check blood sugar levels. Here are the most common methods:.

1. Fasting Blood Sugar Test

This is the most common method of checking blood sugar levels. The test requires fasting for at least eight hours before the test. A healthcare professional will draw your blood and measure the blood sugar level.

2. Random Blood Sugar Test

Random blood sugar tests can be performed at any time of the day. These tests can provide an immediate measurement of blood sugar levels.

Since blood sugar levels vary throughout the day, these tests may not provide a clear picture of overall blood sugar control.

3. Hemoglobin A1C Test

This blood test measures the average blood sugar levels over a period of two to three months. This test is commonly used to diagnose diabetes but can also be used to monitor blood sugar control in those with diabetes.

Conclusion

Checking your blood sugar levels regularly is an easy and effective way to keep tabs on your overall health. If you haven’t checked your levels recently, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider today.