What do my blood glucose results mean?

My A1C today:
My next A1C goal:
My long-term A1C goal:
Why lower my A1C level?
For most people, the A1C is a reliable estimate of the average blood glucose levels over the previous
3 to 4 months
1
Its been shown that a 1% reduction in A1C lowers risk of complications, such as eye, kidney and
nerve disease, by 40%
3
Corrective measure:
Drink water
Corrective measure:
Consume 15 g
of sugar
Blood glucose below 4
mmol/L indicates low blood
glucose (hypoglycemia),
which may lead to
coma and seizures.
1
12 16.5
11 14.9
10 13.4
9 11.8
8
10.2
7
8.6
6
7.0
5
5.4
Above
Recommended
Targets
Recommended
Targets
Estimated Average
Glucose (eAG)
2

(mmol/L)
A1C
Value
(%)
If you are above your
target, speak to your
doctor or diabetes
educator. High blood
glucose is associated
with diabetes
complications, such as
eye or kidney problems
and heart disease.
1
When your blood glucose
is within the target range
set by your doctor, you
are at lower risk of diabetes
complications.
1

Hyperglycemia
Symptoms: fatigue,
thirst, blurred vision,
increased urination
Hypoglycemia
Symptoms: shaky,
nervous, hungry,
sweating. headache,
dizzyness
Corrective measure:
Consume 15 g
of sugar
Corrective measure:
Drink
water
What do I do if my blood glucose levels
are not in the target range?
If your blood glucose levels are high (hyperglycemia)
4
:
Think about why they might be high:
o Did you eat more than usual?
o Have you missed your exercise today?
o Are you feeling sick?
Consult your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if your blood glucose is
higher than 20 mmol/L.
People with Type 1 diabetes should test for the presence of ketones in blood or urine if
blood glucose is equal or greater than 14.0 mmol/L.
Effective prevention of high blood glucose can be achieved by following a meal plan
recommended by a dietician and by taking medication as prescribed.
If your blood glucose levels are low below 4 mmol/L (hypoglycemia)
1
:
Eat or drink fast-acting glucose such as:
o 15 g of sugar tablets o 15 mL (3 teaspoons) of sugar or honey

o 6 Life Savers o 175 mL (3/4 cup) of juice or regular soft drink
Wait 15 minutes, then check your levels again. If they are still below 4 mmol/L, repeat
the treatment.
Once your level is above 4 mmol/L, if your next meal is more than one hour away,
have something to eat that includes 15 g of carbohydrate and some protein
(e.g. 1 slice of bread + 1 oz. of cheese)
2011 Bayer Inc. /TM Trademarks of Bayer HealthCare LLC, used under license by Bayer Inc. Bayer and Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer AG, used under license by Bayer Inc.
bayerdiabetes.ca
1. Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee. Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada. Can J Diabetes. 2008;32 (suppl 1). Nathan DM, Kuenen J, Borg R, et al. Translating the A1C assay into estimated
average glucose values. Diabetes Care 2008; 31(8):1473-1478. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National diabetes fact sheet: general information and national estimates on diabetes in the United States, 2007. Altanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2008. 4 Diabte Qubec. Lhyperglycmie: www.diabete.qc.ca/html/vivre_avec_diabete/hypergl. Accessed July 29, 2009.
2011 Bayer Inc. /TM Trademarks of Bayer HealthCare LLC, used under license by Bayer Inc. Bayer and Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer AG, used under license by Bayer Inc. DD2377
The more you test, the more you will know about your blood glucose management.
Ask your healthcare provider what your target levels should be.
Choose a simple and accurate solution from Bayer and
simplify your life with diabetes.