Time in Range, or TIR, is the amount of time those with diabetes spend with their blood glucose levels in a recommended target range and is represented as a percentage. Finding this “happy medium” can be difficult.
So, more and more people with diabetes use continuous glucose monitors (CGM) to help achieve TIR. CGMs generate a great deal of data showing where your current glucose levels are, where they’ve been, and what direction they are going. The hours per day spent “in range” and “out of range” can vary, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
Glucose goals can vary for each person, but a typical target glucose range is from 70 to 180 mg/dL.
For most people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, a TIR above 70% is recommended. That's about 17 hours of a 24-hour day.
You should aim to spend less than 4% (58 minutes) below 70 mg/dL, less than 1% (14 minutes) below 54 mg/dL, less than 25% (6 hours) above 180 mg/dL, and less than
5% (1 hour, 12 minutes) above 250 mg/dL.
TIR targets can be lower for older or high-risk individuals and for those younger than age 25.
Measuring A1C levels has been a common way to track success managing diabetes. But TIR can help you do it even better. A1C is an average over weeks or months. So, while your A1C may look good, you can experience fast and frequent blood glucose changes that the A1C doesn’t reflect. There can be parts of the day when you are spending time with blood glucose levels dangerously low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia).
Today’s CGM systems allow you to track your blood glucose moment by moment and in real time. This helps you find times, such as before or after eating, or before or after physical activity, when your blood glucose is out of range. Identifying these times allows you to take steps, such as adjusting medication, to smooth out the highs and lows. Staying in range helps maintain your energy level, mood, and overall quality of life.
CGM can provide a daily glucose profile that displays a graph of the glucose readings from midnight to midnight. So, it’s easy to spot which hours of each day you are in range, above range, and below range. This information can help you adjust what you eat and drink, get the right amount of exercise, and modify your insulin dosing.
TIR below the recommended level can mean poor blood glucose control and lead to diabetes complications. They can include:
Eye problems and blindness
Heart disease
Stroke
Nervous system problems
Loss of a limb
Kidney disease
Impotence
Diabetes affects nearly every part of the body. It can lead to other serious diseases and can be life-threatening. You need to work with a healthcare provider to work toward achieving your best TIR.
Our physician referral directory is comprised of over 6,500 members of the Society. The referral is updated daily with clinicians who are accepting new patients.
Our physician referral directory is comprised of over 6,500 members of the Society. The referral is updated daily with clinicians who are accepting new patients.
