Is this a waste of time?

[Newbie777]

No worries. I'd just urge you to consider how often you would be doing these tests, so as to get the best value, versus storage, versus practical aspects.

There is always an expiry date. My point was not to purchase, say, a 10 test pack, with only 5 months left before expiry, then find you have out of date tests, which may, or may not work.

(Bearing in mind how the "meter" and tests work together, I'd be inclined to think they would not stop working, but a test being out of date may make it less accurate, but I speculate.)

Thank you and I agree that makes sense.

Yes I need to look at this in a bit more detail.

 

[grovesy]

Another slightly tangeni thought.
The limitation of finger prick tests on seeing progress is that you don't know what is happening between tests. This is why HB1Ac has value - it shows the average over 3 months
Instead of focusing on Hb1aC, there are other ways of finding out what happens between pricks. For example, you could get a Libre sensor. Over 2 weeks, you can see what is happening to your blood sugars all the time. Libre uses this to estimate a Hb1Ac. I don't know how accurate that is but it is an indication.
And, the value of continuous monitoring is you can see the impact of different foods. The test 2 hours after may miss the peak but the sensor doesn't.

For me despite using a Libre for 18 months, the HBA1C estimation has been least 6 points lower , than each of the actual lab HBA1C tests I have had in that time. I also have found the same with the mySugr app HBA1C estimation.

 

[helli]

For me despite using a Libre for 18 months, the HBA1C estimation has been least 6 points lower , than each of the actual lab HBA1C tests I have had in that tiime

Whilst that is disappointing, if you check hba1c with the Libre over time, it is a method to check progress.
It may not be the same values as lab ones but if the Libre values are going down, your lab values should be heading in the right direction,

With Type 1 (yes, I know the OP does not have Type 1), there is a slow movement away from hba1c towards Time In Range (TIR) as a useful measurement. This is where there is value in knowing the impact of various foods and activities.

I don’t know if Type 2 will follow suit.

I will step away from the thread now as I do not want to derail it.

 

[Newbie777]

Another slightly tangeni thought.
The limitation of finger prick tests on seeing progress is that you don't know what is happening between tests. This is why HB1Ac has value - it shows the average over 3 months
Instead of focusing on Hb1aC, there are other ways of finding out what happens between pricks. For example, you could get a Libre sensor. Over 2 weeks, you can see what is happening to your blood sugars all the time. Libre uses this to estimate a Hb1Ac. I don't know how accurate that is but it is an indication.
And, the value of continuous monitoring is you can see the impact of different foods. The test 2 hours after may miss the peak but the sensor doesn't.

Yes I was looking at that a few weeks ago as my reads were not consistent, but then started the low carb diet and then went hypo.Stopped Glicizide (160mg), for me now no longer a risk of going hypo, also reads have been consistently within the limits.

I still have my regular exercise to do and this will help further my BG levels- will not be surprised if my Metformin intake will also be reduced from the 2000mg per day.

My priority is to focus on the HbA1c asap and I just wanted some direction, in the future will not be testing BG as much (once a day) unless I have been eating something new or gone a bit excessive on some carbs, but will just rely on HbA1c every 3 months or longer.

 

[Newbie777]

For me despite using a Libre for 18 months, the HBA1C estimation has been least 6 points lower , than each of the actual lab HBA1C tests I have had in that time. I also have found the same with the mySugr app HBA1C estimation.

Oh, I think the Libre is good for type 1 diabetics and those on insulin and also for those who are new or have big BG reads or spikes.

I wouldnt want to use it for HBc1A as I do need something a bit more reliable ( or accurate).

If I am not wrong aren't the sensors are quite expensive too.

 

[grovesy]

Oh, I think the Libre is good for type 1 diabetics and those on insulin and also for those who are new or have big BG reads or spikes.

I wouldnt want to use it for HBc1A as I do need something a bit more reliable ( or accurate).

If I am not wrong aren't the sensors are quite expensive too.

I don't use for a HBA1C , it is just one the many bits of information it gives from the information it collects. They collect information over the full 24 hours not just snap shots.
Not alot more expensive than using some of the more test strips that cost over £20 for a pot of 50.

 

[Newbie777]

Oh ok that make sense.

Although, I get my TEE2 BG test strips from the GP, these are for 50 every 2 months, but I have spotted some on eBay for £9.99, so will buy a few myself as they come handy.

Initially, I was very interested a few weeks ago, but at the moment I dont think I will need it now.

 

[Leadinglights]

Oh ok that make sense.

Although, I get my TEE2 BG test strips from the GP, these are for 50 every 2 months, but I have spotted some on eBay for £9.99, so will buy a few myself as they come handy.

Initially, I was very interested a few weeks ago, but at the moment I dont think I will need it now.

I think Amazon are £8 for 50

 

[AndBreathe]

Oh ok that make sense.

Although, I get my TEE2 BG test strips from the GP, these are for 50 every 2 months, but I have spotted some on eBay for £9.99, so will buy a few myself as they come handy.

Initially, I was very interested a few weeks ago, but at the moment I dont think I will need it now.

If you go directly to the distributor, you could build a relationship with them.

I don't routinely use the Tee2 myself, but I know others who do, and receive good service from Spirit: https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/products/tee2-strips?variant=19264018645049

 

[AndBreathe]

For me despite using a Libre for 18 months, the HBA1C estimation has been least 6 points lower , than each of the actual lab HBA1C tests I have had in that time. I also have found the same with the mySugr app HBA1C estimation.

Grovesy, my finger prick and Libre averages are always well adrift of my A1c scores. I now tend to look on them separately, in that I expect to see x, or y behaviour of day -to-day testing, which likely equates to an A1c of a or b.

Provided I trundle along in my running ranges, I'm fine with it.

It's something to do with rates of turnover of haemoglobin cells, and not something I can influence, so, for me, it is what it is.

 

[Newbie777]

I think Amazon are £8 for 50

That's cheap, thank you

 

[Newbie777]

If you go directly to the distributor, you could build a relationship with them.

I don't routinely use the Tee2 myself, but I know others who do, and receive good service from Spirit: https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/products/tee2-strips?variant=19264018645049

Ok great, thank you.I will have a few options now.

A few GP surgeries decided to save money via Procurement and issued the TEE2 BG monitor, before then I was using Advantix? The strips for these were expensive from Boots, also you had to use a new chip for it to work.

 

[grovesy]

Grovesy, my finger prick and Libre averages are always well adrift of my A1c scores. I now tend to look on them separately, in that I expect to see x, or y behaviour of day -to-day testing, which likely equates to an A1c of a or b.

Provided I trundle along in my running ranges, I'm fine with it.

It's something to do with rates of turnover of haemoglobin cells, and not something I can influence, so, for me, it is what it is.

Exactly.