• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Worth getting Blood Sugar Monitor?

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.

198d

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
At risk of diabetes
Afternoon all.
Currently classed as prediabetic (HbA1c 51) until the results of my next bloods in February so I have 5 and a bit weeks to make changes.

Is it worth getting a blood sugar monitor and jabbers etc in that time or would it be best to wait and see if I’m slapped with Type 2 for definite?

Cheers for any advice 🙂

Q xo
 
YES its worth if how else can you work how /if certain foods effect you they can be brought very cheaply good luck let us know how u get on
gail
 
@Quill As you are on the lower slopes, as a prediabetic, you could easily be back down in normal numbers by the time you have a retest - I was about to declare that the only negative would be that as you are not diagnosed as diabetic, (HbA1c over 47), you are not eligible for exemption from VAT for the meter and supplies - but your HbA1c would appear to be 51 which is in the diabetes range.
Now I am puzzled.
 
your HbA1c would appear to be 51 which is in the diabetes range.
Now I am puzzled.
Two hba1cs in the diabetic range are required to diagnose diabetes. The OP has until February to turn things around and get the hba1c under 48, if the second one is 48+ they’ll be diagnosed with diabetes.
 
YES its worth if how else can you work how /if certain foods effect you they can be brought very cheaply good luck let us know how u get on
gail
Thanks Gail, got one coming tonight 🙂
 
If you are getting one, then I'd recommend getting a decent lancing device as some can hurt! Gold Standard is Accu-Chek Fastclix which has multiple options on the depth of needle penetration - they aren't that expensive but you do need to get a box of cartridges too if you buy one (as it only comes with one cartridge (containing 6 lancets)

1735494886650.png
This is what I use and it's great - you can get them from all over the place (including Amazon)
 
If you are getting one, then I'd recommend getting a decent lancing device as some can hurt! Gold Standard is Accu-Chek Fastclix which has multiple options on the depth of needle penetration - they aren't that expensive but you do need to get a box of cartridges too if you buy one (as it only comes with one cartridge (containing 6 lancets)

View attachment 33256
This is what I use and it's great - you can get them from all over the place (including Amazon)
Cheers Matt, got one coming tonight but noted this down for future reference 🙂

Q xo
 
Two hba1cs in the diabetic range are required to diagnose diabetes. The OP has until February to turn things around and get the hba1c under 48, if the second one is 48+ they’ll be diagnosed with diabetes.
That didn't happen at my GP surgery - my first test was 91, and I was told I was diabetic - 2nd test 47 - third 41.
 
That didn't happen at my GP surgery - my first test was 91, and I was told I was diabetic - 2nd test 47 - third 41.
If you have symptoms then only one a1c is required
 
That didn't happen at my GP surgery - my first test was 91, and I was told I was diabetic - 2nd test 47 - third 41.
I think the 2 tests is a relatively recent thing, so probably after you were diagnosed.
 
@Quill I would work on basis first test shows you in the diabetic range. Look at the Freshwell site/ app for guidance on diet. If you are overweight or carrying extra round your middle i would aim to lose some of it. I note you are 42 so changes now will be good for your overall health. Some people go on an 800 calorie a day diet. Check the forum for threads about the Newcastle diet. It may be at this stage a low calorie diet is a bit too brutal.

I was told my cholestral had crept up and discovered my annual blood test wasn't tested for diabetes. I had started peeing a lot and asked for a test. My reading at end of June was 69 which horrified me. I had cut out pastry cake etc and then went for fish eggs cheese and veg. My HCP said you needed two readings to be diagnosed though I behaved as though I was now diabetic..

My second reading 4 weeks later was 64. I saw a diabetic nurse 3 weeks and started on metformin. Three weeks later my reading was 58. I am now 44 but on two medications. I knew very little about diabetes until I joined this forum in mid August. I had already used the helpline.

I effectively went low carb between 80 and 130 and started losing weight. Other members who are not obviously overweight have reduced carbs but increased fat and protein.

Consider reducing carbs eg potatoes rice pasta Try to remove added sugar.

Try and move more even a ten minute walk.

Look carefully at what you are eating and see where you can change, for example I have bought some pasta alternatives. Freshwell gives alternatives for some things you may want to eat.

Don't panic and don't cut too much too quickly. Smaller portions and more veg will work.

Given the timescale I expect your second reading will be below the diabetes threshold.

The only thing I am not sure of, is if you are diagnosed as diabetic you get eye and foot checks annually even if after diagnosis you quickly go below the diabetic range. However, I'm sure most people in your situation would prefer the health benefits of lowering blood glucose.
 
@Quill I would work on basis first test shows you in the diabetic range. Look at the Freshwell site/ app for guidance on diet. If you are overweight or carrying extra round your middle i would aim to lose some of it. I note you are 42 so changes now will be good for your overall health. Some people go on an 800 calorie a day diet. Check the forum for threads about the Newcastle diet. It may be at this stage a low calorie diet is a bit too brutal.

I was told my cholestral had crept up and discovered my annual blood test wasn't tested for diabetes. I had started peeing a lot and asked for a test. My reading at end of June was 69 which horrified me. I had cut out pastry cake etc and then went for fish eggs cheese and veg. My HCP said you needed two readings to be diagnosed though I behaved as though I was now diabetic..

My second reading 4 weeks later was 64. I saw a diabetic nurse 3 weeks and started on metformin. Three weeks later my reading was 58. I am now 44 but on two medications. I knew very little about diabetes until I joined this forum in mid August. I had already used the helpline.

I effectively went low carb between 80 and 130 and started losing weight. Other members who are not obviously overweight have reduced carbs but increased fat and protein.

Consider reducing carbs eg potatoes rice pasta Try to remove added sugar.

Try and move more even a ten minute walk.

Look carefully at what you are eating and see where you can change, for example I have bought some pasta alternatives. Freshwell gives alternatives for some things you may want to eat.

Don't panic and don't cut too much too quickly. Smaller portions and more veg will work.

Given the timescale I expect your second reading will be below the diabetes threshold.

The only thing I am not sure of, is if you are diagnosed as diabetic you get eye and foot checks annually even if after diagnosis you quickly go below the diabetic range. However, I'm sure most people in your situation would prefer the health benefits of lowering blood glucose.
Honestly can’t tell you how brilliant this response has been, thank you SO much!
That’s pretty much everything I’ve needed to hear so appreciate it more than I can tell you.

I’ve done a very Freshwell friendly food shop tonight which has just been delivered and I’m actually excited to get going.
My BG monitor just arrived also so I’m feeling much more prepared now and weirdly a little excited

I’ll enquire about eyes/feet things, I know my Dad was at Podiatry a lot after he was diagnosed and had regular eye checks so fingers crossed.

My next bloods are February 6th so just over 5 weeks to make these changes and not go back to old habits.
This has honestly terrified me after watching my Dad get so bad with his and then pass so have to be sensible now.
I’m getting married at the end of 2025 so much more to focus on and move towards and I’d love to do that with a clean bill of health.

Thanks so much @saffron15 🙂 🙂 🙂

Q xo
 
Hi @Quill welcome to the forum

you’ve already got some great advice there especially the freshwell site and a AcuCheck lancing device if your going to be testing using a BGM

If you are testing sometimes strips can be costly for some testing devices
to get a good understanding of what your levels currently are, sometimes to people like to test first thing in the morning (on waking) then if you want to see how different foods affect you before then a few hrs after a meal
like breakfast one day
then at lunch time the next day
then after evening meal the next day
etc

good luck the forum has loads of good advice, and remember one of the most important things everybody says
there’s no such thing as a silly question on here
 
I think the 2 tests is a relatively recent thing, so probably after you were diagnosed.
Ah that might be it - I was diagnosed very late in 2016, so 8 years ago now.
Doesn't time fly when one is having fun!!
 
Hi @Quill welcome to the forum

you’ve already got some great advice there especially the freshwell site and a AcuCheck lancing device if your going to be testing using a BGM

If you are testing sometimes strips can be costly for some testing devices
to get a good understanding of what your levels currently are, sometimes to people like to test first thing in the morning (on waking) then if you want to see how different foods affect you before then a few hrs after a meal
like breakfast one day
then at lunch time the next day
then after evening meal the next day
etc

good luck the forum has loads of good advice, and remember one of the most important things everybody says
there’s no such thing as a silly question on here
Thanks so much!
I’ve just bought a BGM, managed to get 100 strips and jabbers, luckily I do have some of my Dads somewhere in the house for backup 🙂
 
Thanks Gail, got one coming tonight 🙂
Worth every penny. My GP insisted I didn't need to test, I thought that was ridiculous How would I know which foods would be ok for me? I ignored her advice and that was the right thing to do.

Good luck
 
@Quill thank you for the kind words. I've learnt so much from people like @Inka and @Drummer @Leadinglights and @rebrascora . There is lots of information and experience on this site.
Two other things I learned, many people use their lancets multiple times. I have done this because changing each time seemed wasteful. Obviously you mentioned you had a family member who was diabetic I do not share my machine and if I did the lancet would have to be changed. Ive heard it said the two hour test after a meal is two hours after the start of the meal but you will probably looking at trends.
 
Worth every penny. My GP insisted I didn't need to test, I thought that was ridiculous How would I know which foods would be ok for me? I ignored her advice and that was the right thing to do.

Good luck
Definitely! Yeah I thought I’d ask here first to see what actual pre/diabetics thought rather than be told not to bother by my GP.

Thank you 🙂

Q xo
 
Definitely! Yeah I thought I’d ask here first to see what actual pre/diabetics thought rather than be told not to bother by my GP.

Thank you 🙂

Q xo
In my opinion a vital tool in giving you control over managing your condition
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top