How to read and understand your Time in Range

So, you have heard about Time in Range  and are keen to give it a try? Perhaps you have just started using Time in Range to track your daily sugar (glucose) patterns and are looking forward to using it to improve your diabetes management.¹ But does the idea of getting to grips with a new diabetes measure and the thought of lots of data make you feel uneasy? This article will help you. Read on to learn how you can get important round-the-clock glucose information with Time in Range in a one-page report that is easy to read.¹  

If you are already using a continuous monitoring (CGM) device to check your glucose levels, then you will be familiar with the numbers that you see on your smartphone or on your CGM app. If you are new to digital health monitoring devices, don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds!

Time in Range is the amount of time that you spend within your target glucose range (between 70 and 180 mg/dL or 3.9–10 mmol/L, for most people) and is measured using the numbers from your CGM device.¹ This information forms part of your ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) report.

The AGP is a simple one-page visualisation of your CGM numbers so you can see all your 24-hour glucose readings over a period of time – usually 14 days.¹

Many CGM devices will now allow you to read your AGP report on your CGM app. You can also download the report onto a computer.²

Even with only a very basic understanding of your ambulatory glucose profile (AGP), you will have more information about your blood glucose patterns to help improve your diabetes management.^1,2 Spending more time in range has been shown to reduce your risk of diabetes-related health complications, such as kidney and eye problems, and even heart attack and stroke.^1,3

When you are measuring your Time in Range, here are some of the extra things you could discuss with your healthcare professional:

• How much time did I spend in range?
  Experts recommend that most people with diabetes should aim to spend at least 17 hours (70%) of each day within the target glucose range of 70 to 180 mg/dL (3.9–10 mmol/L).¹
• What happens when I eat, take my medication, or do some physical activity?
  Look at your CGM readings and try making a note of your usual activities to see how they might affect your glucose.
• Why do I have highs and lows?
  Try to think about what you were doing when your readings are below range or above range, to see if there may have been a reason. For example, did you miss your diabetes medications, had you exercised, or did you eat a carbohydrate-heavy meal?
• What would I like to change?
  Seeing the patterns in your glucose levels can help you think about what you can do to increase your Time in Range. You may have some ideas, and you can work together with your healthcare professional to make a plan that works for you and your diabetes management.

Once you are familiar with your ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) report reading your Time in Range can be quite simple and, as you get more confident, you and your healthcare professional can discuss your AGP in more detail to help you to better manage your diabetes. And the better you manage your diabetes the more you can feel able to live a healthy life and reduce your risk of long-term health complications.^1,3,4

Download and keep this free guide for increasing your Time in Range