Managing your blood glucose
If you have type 1 diabetes, you'll need to:
- check your blood glucose (sugar) regularly
- check how much carbohydrate is in your food and drink (called carb counting)
- take insulin several times a day
- watch out for signs of hypoglycaemia (hypos) and know how to treat it
Checking your blood glucose
Checking your blood glucose is quick and easy for most people.
You'll be offered a blood glucose meter, small needles (lancets) and test strips to do finger-prick tests.
You should also be given a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This gives you readings at any time and reduces the number of finger-prick tests you need to do.
It's recommended that you check your blood glucose at least 4 times a day (or at least 5 times for children), including before meals and before bed.
Check it more often when you're doing things that can affect it, such as exercise or drinking alcohol, or when you're unwell.
Blood glucose targets
Your diabetes team will discuss with you what blood glucose levels to aim for.
As a guide, the ideal range is:
- when you wake up, before you've eaten: 5 to 7mmol/L for adults, or 4 to 7mmol/L for children
- before meals at other times of the day: 4 to 7mmol/L
- at least 90 minutes after meals: 5 to 9mmol/L
It's not possible to achieve these recommended ranges all the time. But if you can keep your blood glucose levels within these ranges for around 70% of the time, this will reduce your chance of getting complications in the future.
Video: How to check your blood glucose level
This video shows you how to check your blood glucose level.
Media review due: 16 April 2027
Important: Diabetes and driving
If you drive, you'll need to tell the DVLA you have diabetes and take insulin. The DVLA will not usually stop you driving, but you'll need to show you can manage hypos safely. Most people with diabetes can continue to drive.
You must also follow the DVLA's rules about checking your blood glucose before driving and during your journey, and stopping straight away if you get signs of a hypo.
Carb counting
Knowing how many carbohydrates (carbs) you're eating and drinking helps you manage your blood glucose levels by matching your insulin dose to your food. This means you can be more flexible in what you eat.
You can learn about carb counting by doing a type 1 diabetes course, such as DAFNE (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating). There are also apps that can help.
Taking insulin
You'll take insulin using an insulin pen or an insulin pump. It does not usually hurt, as the needles are very small.
You'll need to adjust your dose depending on your food and drink, your blood glucose and things like how much exercise you do.
Your diabetes nurse will show you how to use your pen or pump. It's important to change where you inject or put your pump each time, and use the right technique, to help prevent problems.
Video: How to inject insulin
This video shows you how to inject insulin.
Media review due: 16 April 2027
Recognising and treating hypoglycaemia (hypos)
Hypoglycaemia (a hypo) happens when your blood glucose level is too low. It usually needs to be treated if it's below 4mmol/L.
Mild hypos are common and do not usually cause any lasting problems.
They can happen when you have not had enough carbohydrates or you've taken too much insulin.
You'll need to be aware of the symptoms, such as feeling hungry or dizzy, sweating and shaking.
It's important to treat a hypo quickly, before it gets worse, by having a sugary drink or snack.
Find out more
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) – including steps to treat a hypo
- Diabetes UK: hypos
Things you can do to help manage type 1 diabetes
If you have type 1 diabetes, there are things you can do to help manage your blood glucose levels and avoid any problems.
Do
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always carry something with you that will raise your blood glucose quickly, such as sugary drinks, sweets or glucose tablets
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make sure your family and friends know how to recognise a hypo and what to do
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carry medical ID, such as a bracelet or a card that lets people know you have type 1 diabetes
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be aware of when you may need to check your blood glucose more often, such as in hot weather or during your period
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check your blood glucose before, during and after exercise – you may also need to eat more carbohydrate and reduce your insulin dose to prevent hypos
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ask your care team about getting a continuous glucose monitor if you do not already have one
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follow guidelines from your care team about what to do when you're ill and how to adjust your insulin dose (sick day rules)
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if you need to go to hospital, or have any surgery or procedures, tell the staff treating you that you have type 1 diabetes and you take insulin
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if you're going abroad, take a letter about your diabetes from your GP or diabetes team, and follow advice about travelling with insulin
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contact your diabetes team if you have any questions or concerns
Don’t
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do not drink too much alcohol – keep to the recommended guidelines of no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread over 3 days or more
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do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach
How type 1 diabetes affects your life
Managing type 1 diabetes can be a challenge and take time to get used to. Constantly trying to meet blood glucose targets can lead to a feeling of burnout.
You'll need to do more planning for things like school or work, travel, eating out and exercise.
But with the right treatment and support, you can eat normally, continue with your usual work and still do all the things you enjoy.
Type 1 diabetes can increase your chance of getting other health problems (long-term complications), such as heart disease, nerve damage and problems with your eyesight. But you'll be given care to help prevent these.
You can also lower your chance of getting complications by managing your blood glucose levels as well as you can.
People with type 1 diabetes also have a higher chance of getting other conditions caused by problems with your immune system (autoimmune conditions), such as thyroid disease, coeliac disease and Addison's disease.
Diabetes treatments and technologies are improving, so people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes today should be able to expect a better quality of life than was possible before.
Many people with type 1 diabetes are able to avoid complications and have long, healthy lives.
Pregnancy and type 1 diabetes
You can have a healthy pregnancy if you have type 1 diabetes. But managing diabetes might be harder while you're pregnant.
Planning a pregnancy can reduce the chance of problems for you and your baby.
It's important to manage your blood glucose levels as well as you can before and during your pregnancy to keep you and your baby well.
Speak to your diabetes team if you're planning to get pregnant. You'll be offered extra appointments and tests, and help with your diabetes treatment.