By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
thiraisorgam thiraisorgam
  • Home
  • Wellness
  • Fitness
  • Diabetes
  • Reproductive Health
Reading: How to Use “Time In Range” to Improve Your Diabetes Management
Thirai SorgamThirai Sorgam
Search
  • Home
  • Wellness
  • Fitness
  • Diabetes
  • Reproductive Health
© 2025 All Rights reserved | Powered by Thiraisorgam
Thirai Sorgam > Diabetes > How to Use “Time In Range” to Improve Your Diabetes Management
Diabetes

How to Use “Time In Range” to Improve Your Diabetes Management

June 11, 2025 9 Min Read
Share
How to Use
SHARE

One of the most difficult parts of managing your life with diabetes is to carefully monitor your blood sugar levels and make sure they stay in close range in most cases.

This has been historically measured using a simple blood test called the hemoglobin A1C or A1C test.

But now, more than ever, new concepts are in shape. It is called “time within range” or TIR for short.

What exactly is TIR? How can I improve diabetes management using this new scale?

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about time within range and how to use it to help you.

What is the time (TIR) ​​in the range?

Time within range is apart from measuring A1c levels only (average blood glucose over the course of three months gives the doctor a sense of general diabetes management for a person).

This is a way to measure the percentage of time on a particular day. People are recommended blood glucose levels (usually between 70 and 180 mg/dl, varying from patient to patient, always personalised between the person and their doctor).

It’s best to have the Tir as high as possible. Means 100%. This means that for all 24 hours a day, the person will have blood sugar levels within the target range, meaning 0% on certain days. Most people fall somewhere in the middle.

Depending on the type of diabetes, experts recommend that hypoglycemia occurs in less than 5% of the day, aiming for a TIR of at least 50%.

Currently, A1C levels are considered one of the most powerful indicators of modern diabetes management, as they can give you a false sense of success.

For example, A1C levels of 6% (usually considered “good”) are just giving you average hyperglycemia and a lot of hypoglycemia. Range times cannot hide the truth.

See also  Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Early studies suggest that TIR can predict long-term diabetes complications. The researchers also found a strong relationship between levels of different ranges and diabetic complications such as eye and kidney disease.

The higher the range, the lower the prevalence of complications.

What are the drawbacks of TIR?

Unfortunately, TIR can only be measured using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems such as Dexcom, Freestyle Libre, and Medtronic Guardians.

This is because only CGM is constantly measuring blood glucose levels. CGM systems can potentially contain costs, and are not universally covered by health insurance, especially when covered by the state’s Medicaid program.

Access to CGM continues to improve across the US, but for deductible health plans, Medicaid, or uninsured people, TIR is difficult, if not impossible, to measure without easy access to CGM.

Furthermore, for those who don’t want to wear CGM, you cannot measure metrics by manually testing your blood sugar levels. In that case, using A1C is best for tracking management over time.

How can I improve diabetes management using TIR?

TIR is a powerful tool that you need to use for your benefit to minimize both long-term hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Here are some tips to make sure this is useful for you.

Check the pattern

TIRs can also show trends as well as percentage of time spent within (and outside of) the target range.

Perhaps you’re running low for most of the night, or your blood sugar levels are surged every day after lunch, and you’ve been doing so for the past 14 days.

Once you start to notice a pattern, you can bring that information to your doctor and change your dietary pattern or medication accordingly.

See also  Diabetes and Sodium: How Much Salt Should You Eat?

You may need to split the long-acting insulin dose (when using an insulin pump) or if blood glucose levels run after a few hours, you may need to lower your carbohydrates at lunchtime (if using an insulin pump).

Work with your doctor to make these changes, check your TIR and check the resulting diabetes management. As a result, please improve!

Focus on short-term goals

Using TIR as an incentive to prevent long-term complications may not always be a beneficial idea, especially for children and teenagers.

However, aiming for a higher TIR in the short term may be a more achievable and digestible goal.

Instead of always aiming for a 90% TIR, try starting with smaller goals, such as increasing by 5% next week. Then build on success and improve diabetes management.

Create a part of the big picture

Time in Range is an incredible tool that can really improve diabetes management, but it should not be the only metric to use.

Keep eating well, exercise frequently, manage stress, and seek support when needed.

Along with A1c, Rage Time is all the tools you need to use if possible to ensure diabetes management is best.

Improvements include mental health

That being said, Till is overwhelming for people who focus too much on percentages.

It can cause stress, anxiety and be extremely difficult for people struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder or perfectionism.

If TIR is stressing you, talk to your doctor about more achievable goals you can set. For example, if you want to see your doctor achieve a TIR of 95%, this may be unrealistic and you may not do anything but harm you!

Furthermore, if you can only achieve your TIR goals by limiting your food intake, exercising for a few hours a day, letting go and actually living your life, the metric won’t help you become the healthiest and balanced.

See also  Diabetes and Alcohol: How Does Alcohol Affect Blood Sugar?

If your mental health is struggling as a result of TIR, and talk to your doctor or mental health professional about how to find a more balance in your diabetes management.

Conclusion

Time is a powerful and relatively new metric used to monitor someone maintaining their blood sugar levels in a range. Someone’s blood sugar level (usually) is measured as a percentage of the total time of day that stays between 70 and 180 mg/dL, but the target range varies from person to person.

The TIR is considered an improvement in the A1C test. This only measures the average blood glucose level over the past three months, but can give the false impression of “good” diabetes management. Unfortunately, the average of many highs and many lows is a great A1C.

TIR is measured using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This is great. Because people can track it in real time without waiting for an A1C test. However, CGMs can potentially reduce costs, especially for under-insured or uninsured individuals in the US. Access to CGM is increasing, but it is not yet universal.

You can use TIR to check your CGM data more frequently, make small changes that have a big impact throughout the day, check your glucose patterns and trends, focus on short-term goals beyond the big picture, focus on your entire diabetes management plan, pass your life and focus on your TIR without negating mental health.

If you are using CGM but are not currently using TIR or are not using CGM but are interested in the power of continuous glucose monitoring and how TIR can help, talk to your doctor!

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link
Previous Article Lisa Ray reveals why she started Hormone Replacement Therapy at 53 Lisa Ray reveals why she started Hormone Replacement Therapy at 53
Next Article 20 Things You Don't Know About Lacee Green 20 Things You Don’t Know About Lacee Green
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

latest

How to raise standing legs exercise

How to raise standing legs exercise

While standing leg raises tend to be hidden by flashy exercises like…

Thirai Sorgam 3 Min Read
Doctor testing patient for diabetes with a fingerstick test

How to Get Tested for Diabetes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclosure. Diabetes can…

Thirai Sorgam 3 Min Read
15 Antioxidant-Rich Foods to Supercharge Your Wellness

15 Antioxidant-Rich Foods to Supercharge Your Wellness

Eating foods rich in a variety of antioxidants is one of the…

Thirai Sorgam 12 Min Read
The 10 most common yoga will probably form the mistake you're making

The 10 most common yoga will probably form the mistake you’re making

Yoga is really for all the bodies. However, doing yoga in the…

Thirai Sorgam 11 Min Read
Five different Stevia products on a table

Is Stevia a Healthy Sugar Alternative for People with Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, you know that managing your illness requires a…

Thirai Sorgam 7 Min Read
13 Time-Saving Meal Prep Tips for Busy, Healthy Weekdays

13 Time-Saving Meal Prep Tips for Busy, Healthy Weekdays

Eating well during crammed weeks can be difficult, especially when time is…

Thirai Sorgam 9 Min Read

You Might Also Like

Best Smartwatches For Diabetics
Diabetes

Best Smartwatches For Diabetics (Review & Buying Guide)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclosure.…

17 Min Read
Can Metformin Cause Lactic Acidosis?
Diabetes

Can Metformin Cause Lactic Acidosis?

Metformin is generally safe, but has many rare and serious…

7 Min Read
Vials of blood over a blood sugar chart
Diabetes

Blood Sugar Chart: Blood Sugar and A1c Targets

Understanding what your blood sugar levels are and what is…

14 Min Read
Open book with word hypoglycemia on page
Diabetes

Understanding Hypoglycemia Unawareness – Diabetes Strong

For those living with diabetes, the possibility of hypoglycemia or…

13 Min Read
thiraisorgam thiraisorgam
thiraisorgam thiraisorgam

Our mission is to provide reliable and up-to-date information to help our readers make informed decisions about their well-being.

Editor's Picks

Brain Fog During Menopause
Flutter Kick Exercises: Instructions and Benefits
Menstrual cup dangers: This period product may affect your kidneys
Webster and Tiler Selected for British Olympic Weightlifting Team

Follow Us on Socials

We use social media to react to breaking news, update supporters and share information

Facebook Twitter Telegram
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Reading: How to Use “Time In Range” to Improve Your Diabetes Management
© 2025 All Rights reserved | Powered by Thiraisorgam
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?