Selfmonitoring - explanation
What is it selfmonitoring and why is it so important?
Selfmonitoring is regular measurement of plasmatic level of glucose and proper reaction of patient to the measured values. In practice, it means that you measure your glycemia by a glucometer and - based on the measured value - you adjust insulin dose or food intake and measure glycemia once more (according to your state). The aim of selfmonitoring is to keep plasmatic levels of glucose as near as possible to normal values.
What are normal values of glycemia for diabetic patient?
It is necessary to take in consideration age, type of diabetes, treatment and other factors for determination of target values. Recommended target glycemias according to the Czech diabetologic society are 4 - 6 mmol/l on an empty stomach and 6 - 7 mmol/l after meal in adults. These values may be slightly higher in children (depending on their age).
Since blood concentration of glucose varies, long-lasting follow-up of glycemias is more accurate and important. Test HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin, often called also "long sugar" by diabetics) serves for control of long-lasting glycemic balance. This test assesses retrospectively level of diabetes compensation during last 6 weeks. Test is performed once in three months. Blood sample is taken from vein or from fingertip. Normal values in healthy people are not higher than 4%, in diabetic patient values up to 6% represent acceptable compensation of diabetes. However, since every person is individual, the values of glycosylated haemoglobin are evaluated and viewed by your doctor individually based on his knowledge of your overall health conditions. Keeping glycosylated haemoglobin within normal range means better diabetes compensation, which in turn leads to your better physical and psychological fitness and mainly to prevention and postponing of possible acute or chronic complications (diminishing of glycosylated haemoglobin value for 1% brings up to 21% decrease in mortality caused by diabetes, 14% decrease of myocardial infarction incidence, etc. ).
