When to measure the four-point blood glucose
I would like to know about the four time points for measuring blood glucose. Are they fasting and after each of the three meals? How exactly should they be scheduled?
Doctor's answer (1)
Blood glucose monitoring at four time points refers to measuring blood glucose at four key moments during the day, aiming to comprehensively understand a patient's blood glucose control.
Fasting blood glucose is measured after awakening in the morning, following at least eight hours without food intake, to evaluate basal insulin levels and overnight glucose control. Pre-meal blood glucose is measured before each meal, helping to assess the effects of diet, exercise, and medications on blood glucose levels, as well as to adjust pre-meal insulin dosage.
Postprandial blood glucose is measured two hours after the first bite of breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The normal reference range is below 7.7 mmol/L. Blood glucose measured before bedtime helps to understand overall fluctuations throughout the day, ensuring stable nighttime glucose levels and preventing hypoglycemia.
Through monitoring, doctors can more accurately evaluate a patient's overall blood glucose control. Patients should maintain a light diet and avoid consuming spicy or irritating foods such as garlic, hot pot, and mustard. Additionally, adequate rest is important and excessive fatigue should be avoided to maintain overall health.
