Type 2 diabetes blood sugar levels

A reading is affected by when you last ate, the meal composition, movement, stress, sleep, infection and medicines. One result does not describe your usual control. Repeated patterns before meals, after meals or on waking give your clinician more useful information.

High glucose over time can affect blood vessels, nerves, kidneys and feet. Type 2 diabetes is associated with Chronic Kidney Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy and Peripheral Arterial Disease. Low glucose, or Hypoglycaemia, is more likely with some medicines, delayed meals or extra activity.

Record the value, time, meal context, activity, symptoms and medicine dose when your care plan asks you to monitor. Take medicines as prescribed and do not double a dose after an unexpected result unless instructed. Regular reviews can identify patterns and adjust food guidance, activity or medication. Foot checks matter because reduced sensation can hide an injury.

Contact your diabetes team for repeated readings outside your agreed range, frequent lows, or illness that makes eating and drinking difficult. Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, seizures, severe vomiting, deep breathing or inability to swallow. A hot, swollen or spreading foot wound needs prompt medical assessment.

Ask what targets apply before and after meals, when to test, how to respond to a high or low result, and which medicines or illnesses should change your monitoring plan.