Frequency and Targets of Blood Glucose Monitoring in Diabetes

Blood glucose monitoring should be neither excessive nor insufficient; only scientific planning can achieve twice the result with half the effort. Monitoring principles vary among people on different treatment regimens and should be chosen based on individual conditions.

Patients taking oral antidiabetic drugs may monitor fasting or 2-hour postprandial blood glucose 2–4 times per week.
Patients on basal insulin should monitor fasting blood glucose.
Patients on premixed insulin should monitor fasting and pre-dinner blood glucose.

For self-monitoring of blood glucose, 4–7 measurements per day are recommended, commonly using the 5-point or 7-point profile:
5-point profile:Fasting + 2 hours after three meals + bedtime (or 2–3 a.m.).This is a common method to evaluate the full-day blood glucose pattern.
7-point profile:Before three meals + 2 hours after three meals + bedtime (or overnight).It provides more comprehensive blood glucose information.
Blood glucose monitoring is not just about recording numbers; it should also clarify how far current control is from the target.
For most patients with diabetes:

Fasting blood glucose: 5.0–7.0 mmol/L
Non-fasting blood glucose: < 10.0 mmol/L

For patients older than 80 years, with short life expectancy, poor general health, or severe complications, glycemic targets may be appropriately relaxed. However, excessive relaxation that leads to acute hyperglycemia or related complications should be avoided.
Important note:The above ranges are for general reference only. Individual blood glucose targets must be set by a doctor after comprehensive evaluation of factors including age, disease duration, complications, hypoglycemia risk, comorbidities, and life expectancy.Do not set targets on your own or apply them mechanically.