high reading accu chek

[jonni]

hi iam 61 just registered on diabeties uk metformin controlled ive got accu chek mobile i dont use it much but just had readings in the low 20s , 23 , 24 so ive called the docs feed back please i pretty sure its been like this for months jonni

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[Inka]

Hi @jonni That was sensible calling the doctors. The Accu Chek meter is generally very reliable as long as your hands are washed and ‘contamination free’.

You must be feeling rough with sugars that high. Hopefully the GP will be able to help. In the meantime, if you’d like to tell us a little more about how long you’ve had Type 2, etc, that might be helpful.

Do ask any questions you want 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

hi iam 61 just registered on diabeties uk metformin controlled ive got accu chek mobile i dont use it much but just had readings in the low 20s , 23 , 24 so ive called the docs feed back please i pretty sure its been like this for months jonni

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Welcome to the forum. It is good you have called the doctor with those high levels, but it is concerning that you say 'metformin controlled' as without dietary changes metformin alone will not be very effective in reducing your blood glucose levels.
Reduction in the amount of all carbohydrates not just sugar you have is crucial in management of diabetes.
Have a look at the Learning Zone (orange tab at the top) and read the Type 2 sections.
Then come back with any questions you have and do let us know what your doctor says.
It would be useful to know what your HbA1C is and some idea of the meals you are having so people can make appropriate suggestions.

 

[jonni]

ive had metformin for 4years but not really been too concerned and not sticking to the low sugar rules
i dont feel rough at all now but need to get my bg levels down obs
ive just tested 18 iam full of joint muscle tendon pain but probably due to age
I think ive let it go too long need to address b4 i have damage
the only symtoms i have constantly is peeeing all day / night long

 

[Leadinglights]

ive had metformin for 4years but not really been too concerned and not sticking to the low sugar rules
i dont feel rough at all now but need to get my bg levels down obs
ive just tested 18 iam full of joint muscle tendon pain but probably due to age
I think ive let it go too long need to address b4 i have damage
the only symtoms i have constantly is peeeing all day / night long

That is a classic sign of high blood glucose levels and you really do need to get a grip on trying to reduce them before you get damage to your eyes and nerves. Your joint pain could be due to Vitamin B12 deficiency which can be a side effect of metformin so make sure you get that checked.

 

[Inka]

ive had metformin for 4years but not really been too concerned and not sticking to the low sugar rules
i dont feel rough at all now but need to get my bg levels down obs
ive just tested 18 iam full of joint muscle tendon pain but probably due to age
I think ive let it go too long need to address b4 i have damage
the only symtoms i have constantly is peeeing all day / night long

Diabetes is a nasty little condition @jonni It can creep up on you gradually and then lull you into a false sense of security, especially if you don’t feel too bad. As time goes by, high blood sugars can potentially cause damage to many parts of your body, and sometimes this damage can be happening well before you realise.

So, although you ‘only’ have frequent urination as a symptom, damage could still be happening over time that you’re unaware of. It’s those potential complications that are the issue more than any immediate symptoms.

Metformin is a good helper but you do need to look at your diet too and see if there are any changes you could make to improve things. Unfortunately it’s not just sugar that’s the concern, it’s savoury carbs too - things like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, crisps, etc. Many people with Type 2 need to reduce their carbs to a level their body can cope with.

Here are the blood glucose targets for Type 2s so you can see where you’re aiming to be, with support from your GP:

If you have Type 2 diabetes​

• before meals: 4 to 7mmol/l
• two hours after meals: less than 8.5mmol/l

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about your high levels @jonni

Hope you can have a prompt appointment with your GP, amd get some more help.

You quite right to want to get those levels down a bit, but it can be much easier on the fine blood to reduce high levels gradually over weeks or months, than trying to do it all for a sudden.

Maybe keep a food diary, keeping a note of the total carb content (not just ‘of which sugars’) of your meals and snacks and then consider reducing the carb count by a percentage - eg 20-25% then after a week or two by 20-25% again (which will be smaller this time)

All the best, and let us know how it goes.

Mike

 

[jonni]

I'm still quite hi reading 12.5 I m on more metformin

 

[jonni]

How long can I stay a these levels 12.5 and upwards

 

[Leadinglights]

How long can I stay a these levels 12.5 and upwards

Those are higher levels than you really want to be seeing for any length of time. Have you made any modifications to your diet in reducing your carbohydrate intake as you need to be considering that as well as just taking more metformin.

 

[Inka]

I'm still quite hi reading 12.5 I m on more metformin

Have you also changed your diet to reduce all carbs? Not just sugar, all carbs eg bread, potatoes, pasta, etc.

 

[Quakerbod]

It sounds odd but wash your hands well before taking a reading. Carb reductions are important and I found a regime. My GP is happy to provide the test strips and lancets with my prescription as I suffer with anxiety. I made myself a resolution to list what I eat in the day and check it against the Glucose reading. It takes a while but you can in a while understand what carbs bang your glucose up. I adopted an early rule. Leave alone vegetables that grow below ground.