Blood glucose monitoring is a critical component of effective diabetes management, providing essential data for informed decision-making regarding treatment adjustments. Different monitoring methods serve various therapeutic purposes and offer insights into different aspects of blood sugar control. By combining these methods, doctors can obtain a comprehensive view of a patient's blood sugar levels, allowing for more precise management strategies.
Monitoring Methods and Their Significance:
-
Capillary Blood Sugar: This reflects the immediate blood sugar levels and is typically measured using disposable test strips at home.
-
Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c): Considered the gold standard for assessing long-term blood sugar control, HbA1c reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months.
-
Glycated Serum Protein (GSP): Reflecting the average blood sugar levels 2 to 3 weeks prior to testing, GSP is influenced by the half-life of albumin in the body.
-
1,5-Anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG): This marker accurately reflects blood sugar control within 1 to 2 weeks and is particularly useful for detecting postprandial blood sugar fluctuations.
-
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): CGM provides real-time blood glucose information, tracking fluctuations throughout the day and uncovering patterns that may not be detected by traditional methods.
Customized Monitoring Plans:
Tailored monitoring plans are essential for individuals with diabetes, including special populations such as perioperative patients, critically ill patients, the elderly, and those with gestational diabetes. The frequency and timing of monitoring are based on the patient's condition, treatment goals, and insulin regimen.
- For patients not meeting blood sugar targets, monitor at least 5 times a day.
- Once targets are reached, reduce monitoring to 2 to 4 times a day.
- For those on multiple insulin injections or insulin pump therapy, monitor before/after meals, at bedtime, before exercise, and when hypoglycemia is suspected.
The principles for monitoring plans align with the "China Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes (2013 Edition)" and allow healthcare providers flexibility to tailor monitoring based on individual patient needs.
Special Group Considerations:
- Oral hypoglycemic drug users should monitor fasting or postprandial blood sugar 2 to 4 times a week or continuously for 3 days before treatment.
- Insulin users should develop a monitoring plan based on their specific insulin type and regimen.
Conclusion:
Blood glucose monitoring is integral to diabetes care. The updated guidelines facilitate better understanding of blood sugar status, enabling doctors to refine treatment plans, enhance blood sugar control, delay diabetes complications, and reduce healthcare costs, offering significant benefits to individuals living with diabetes.