While self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) for patients with diabetes is recommended by certain groups to help monitor glycemic control, for most adults with type II diabetes who are not using insulin, many studies have shown that routine SMBG does little to control blood sugar over time.
Sources:
Brownlee C. For Diabetics Not on Insulin, Self-Monitoring Blood Sugar Has No Benefit. The Cochrane Library [Internet]. 2012 Jan 19 [cited 2014 Sep 25].
Cameron C, et al. Cost-effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus managed without insulin. CMAJ. 2010 Jan 12;182(1):28-34. PMID: 20026626.
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). Optimal therapy recommendations for the prescribing and use of blood glucose test strips. CADTH Technol Overv. 2010;1(2):e0109. PMID: 22977401.
Gomes T, et al. Blood glucose test strips: options to reduce usage. CMAJ. 2010 Jan 12;182(1):35-8. PMID: 20026624.
O’Kane MJ, et al. Efficacy of self monitoring of blood glucose in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (ESMON study): randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2008 May 24;336(7654):1174-7. PMID: 18420662.