Control

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Record Keeping

Better Records With Logbooks (also see Better Records With Charts)

Many people use a logbook to record and track their blood sugar readings. One problem with standard logbooks is that they lack sufficient space to fill in everything that affects your blood sugar. An enhanced logbook improves the traditional logbook by enabling other important data. If you choose to use a logbook, always look for patterns, but understand that logbooks may not be as useful as charts for finding causes and solutions. Here are some tips for using logbooks to improve your control:

• Although recording is done across a logbook, patterns are found by looking up and down the page. Check whether your readings remain in your target range at each time of day
• Give your best excuse for every reading that is out of your target range. Write related information in the margins or wherever space is available
• Look for lows first. Circle every low in your log book in red so they stand out. If frequent or severe lows are happening, these should always be stopped before attempting to stop other patterns
• Do highs often follow lows? Try eating 20 grams of fast carbs (glucose tabs, Sweet Tarts, etc.) to treat your lows instead of unmeasured amounts of carb.
• After stopping lows, control the pre-breakfast reading next. A good pre-breakfast reading helps control the rest of the day.
• Look for the time of day when your readings are highest. Adjust your insulin to bring these high readings down.
• Do particular foods have specific effects on your blood sugar? Adjust insulin doses or carb amounts for foods that do.
• After one insulin dose has been increased or decreased, watch for a few days to see if other insulin doses are affected and how they need to be changed.

Download a sample enhanced logbook or download a blank copy.

Look For The Patterns In Your Readings

Logbook patterns can be spotted by looking up and down the page for errant readings at a particular time of day. The patter section at the bottom of the log helps you pick up patterns by having you record how many readings were above or below your target range that week. Add up all the highs and lows that fall outside your target range for each time of day and write these numbers at the bottom of each column. High readings at the same time of day on three or more days in one week, or low readings on two or more days can be considered a pattern.

When unwanted patterns occur, ask yourself if there is any reason other than the doses of insulin you are taking. If you identify something, it will be easier to deal with this directly first. If your insulin doses are not correct or need to be adjusted, work with your physician to learn how to do so properly. After you make the necessary changes, do another log page to verify improvements.

Also see Better Records With Charts