Checking Glucose and Exercise

Checking glucose levels and exercise are an essential activity in order to ensure that diabetes is managed properly. Checking should be done before, during and after exercise.

Checking glucose levels when you do exercise is essential to make sure that the activity brings you good, rather than bad. Ask your physician which activities and exercise that fit you especially when you have been inactive, and the possible effects or reactions of your medicines to your glucose levels if you turn into more energetic.

Fast walking, lap swimming and bicycling is recommended by the experts, 150 minutes per week.

Check your glucose levels 30 minutes before exercising and again immediately after exercising, if it’s safe to exercise especially when you take insulin or medicines that can trigger hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

General guidelines relative to your glucose level — measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Check your glucose level if it is lower than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). Your blood sugar may not be safe for exercise as it is way below the safe levels.

100 to 250 mg/dL (5.6 to 13.9 mmol/L). Safe pre-exercise blood sugar range.

250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L) or higher. Caution zone. When you exercise at the time that your ketones are of high level, you risk yourself of ketoacidosis — a serious complication of diabetes that needs immediate treatment.

Higher or 300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L). Your glucose level may be extremely high to exercise safely, putting you at risk of ketoacidosis.

Watch for symptoms of low blood sugar

Check your blood sugar every 30 minutes, if you’re planning a long workout. Especially if you are trying a new activity or are increasing the intensity or duration of your work−out. That is why checking glucose levels is important when it comes to exercise.

Do not exercise if:
Your blood sugar is 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) or lower
You feel shaky, nervous or confused
Eat or drink something to raise your blood sugar level, such as:
Two to five glucose tablets
1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of fruit juice
1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of regular (not diet) soda
Five or six pieces of hard candy
Recheck your blood sugar 15 minutes later. If it's still too low, have another serving and test again 15 minutes later. Repeat as needed until your blood sugar reaches at least 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). If you have not finished your work−out yet, continue once your blood sugar returns to a safe range.
Check your glucose levels too after exercise.

After exercising check your blood sugar and again several times during the next few hours. Exercise draws on reserve sugar stored in your muscles and liver. As your body rebuilds these stores, it takes sugar from your blood. The more strenuous your workout, the longer your blood sugar will be affected. It is possible that your glucose level will be lower after exercise.