Frequency of testing for Type 2s

[Katieb]

Hi all. I know this has been asked many times before, but now I'm several months down the line with this, I wonder about the benefits of testing too frequently ie. I know what I can and can't eat these days and can almost predict my bg based on that. I'd like my bg to come down a little lower in the mornings (that's my personal hotspot). So, I guess I'd just like a bit of reassurance and to know what other people do? I think testing less frequently now may be OK, particularly given how expensive it all works out having to buy my own strips! What do you guys do? I think it's different for Type 1s (am I right?) because it's a little less predictable, though I may have that completely wrong! I am thinking of testing a couple of days a week now just to keep my eye on things and perhaps if I feel unwell or do more exercise than usual or eat anything I'm not used to. Does this sound like an OK plan? Katiex

 

[Newtothis]

Hi all. I know this has been asked many times before, but now I'm several months down the line with this, I wonder about the benefits of testing too frequently ie. I know what I can and can't eat these days and can almost predict my bg based on that. I'd like my bg to come down a little lower in the mornings (that's my personal hotspot). So, I guess I'd just like a bit of reassurance and to know what other people do? I think testing less frequently now may be OK, particularly given how expensive it all works out having to buy my own strips! What do you guys do? I think it's different for Type 1s (am I right?) because it's a little less predictable, though I may have that completely wrong! I am thinking of testing a couple of days a week now just to keep my eye on things and perhaps if I feel unwell or do more exercise than usual or eat anything I'm not used to. Does this sound like an OK plan? Katiex

Hi Katie,
I test less frequently myself because I know what foods I eat,on a regular basis, spike my sugars. However, I always test first thing and when I try something new - over Christmas I had a few treats and didn't beat myself up testing. I've managed to keep my numbers relatively low and have lost the weight I've needed to - lost the weight gained anxiety...

I don't test when exercising - I think that's due to having to pay for strips and need to ensure I ration them - I tend to use about 50 per month. I don't want to become obsessed with testing especially if I don't need to.

You're doing incredibly well and sometimes all we need is re-assurance - you're doing well...you're doing well....you're doing well.... Much love Amanda xx🙂

 

[trophywench]

Sounds like a plan to me Katie. As long as you never get blase though, that's my main caveat.

I also think you should check up on yourself every so often, say by having a couple of days when you test before and after all your food and activity - because there's no doubt that things do change from time to time and if you aren't testing enough, it's easy to miss the signs - especially if food choices and/or activity have experienced 'slippage'

 

[Katieb]

Sounds like a plan to me Katie. As long as you never get blase though, that's my main caveat.

I also think you should check up on yourself every so often, say by having a couple of days when you test before and after all your food and activity - because there's no doubt that things do change from time to time and if you aren't testing enough, it's easy to miss the signs - especially if food choices and/or activity have experienced 'slippage'

I agree with all of that. I can't afford to become complacent at all, I know, and if money was no object then I'd continue to test more frequently. I also agree that occasionally I need to test before/after meals to check that I am still on track. I would still like to get my bg a little lower at times and I still have some weight to lose, so hoping that will help, combined with the exercise I am doing. Thankyou for your input -it's good to have some input from others.🙂 Katiex

 

[slipper]

I agree upto a point that we can test less several months down the line, and did just that. However, I have tested the same meals this last two weeks, to find that my BG is up on the last times I tested some months ago, yet my twice weekly fasting tests are still good.

I dont know why the change, but perhaps its wise to just keep your eye on things every few months or so.

 

[ukjohn]

I think the title should read frequency of testing for type 2 not on insulin.
I am type 2 but have been on MDI since first day of diagnosis. I have to test before each meal and at bedtime.

John.

 

[cherrypie]

I think that once you have got the hang of it, it still pays to do some frequent testing now and again. You just never know with this condition. It is not predictable and the time between HBA1c's is too long to know that your control is sliding. I also think that some Type2's need the reassurance of testing.

 

[Katieb]

I think the title should read frequency of testing for type 2 not on insulin.
I am type 2 but have been on MDI since first day of diagnosis. I have to test before each meal and at bedtime.

John.

Sorry John, you're right and I didn't mean to discount Type 2s on insulin. On the contrary, I value the advice of those on insulin equally, because, even though testing is essential for you, like those of us not on medication, we still have the same issues to face from time to time and the same approach is often needed. So thank you for your input too. Katiex

 

[Katieb]

I agree upto a point that we can test less several months down the line, and did just that. However, I have tested the same meals this last two weeks, to find that my BG is up on the last times I tested some months ago, yet my twice weekly fasting tests are still good.

I dont know why the change, but perhaps its wise to just keep your eye on things every few months or so.

Just goes to show that this thing is so unpredictable! You're doing great though, Slipper! Thanks for the advice. Katiex

 

[Katieb]

I think that once you have got the hang of it, it still pays to do some frequent testing now and again. You just never know with this condition. It is not predictable and the time between HBA1c's is too long to know that your control is sliding. I also think that some Type2's need the reassurance of testing.

Spot on, Cherrypie! I do like the reassurance of testing and to (sometimes!) feel in control. My last HbA1C was last May and my next not until this May! Way too long a gap if you ask me! I've no idea what to expect when I go back again, though I do think better control, weight loss etc has brought my bg down a bit. It's just, as I say, the cost of having to keep testing that's the big barrier. When will the NHS learn?!! Thanks for your support. Katiex

 

[David H]

In the begining, I tested 3 times a day before meals.

Then 6 times before and 1-2 hours after meals.

Now I very seldom test, because with the Glucophage (metformin) I'm within 5.3 and 7.5 always.

I used to find if I tested (within 10 mins) of getting up my readings were sometimes 8.5 and higher but if I waited 40 mins before testing the were lower and within range.

Though sitting with a bowl of ice cream late at night watching TV before going to bed doesn't help mornings.

 

[shirl]

I am on Metformin, Gliclizide and Lantus (insulin - long acting) I test just once a day either morning, lunch, dinner and bed time depending on when I tested day before; never test after eating mainly because my GP said it was no use testing after as of course bs levels would go up! No, really 🙄? Not much help from that quarter then 🙂

take care all

Shirl

 

[Northerner]

...never test after eating mainly because my GP said it was no use testing after as of course bs levels would go up! No, really 🙄? Not much help from that quarter then 🙂

take care all

Shirl

Well, of course they will go up - the point is by how much! Silly GP! 🙄

 

[shirl]

Well, of course they will go up - the point is by how much! Silly GP! 🙄

Yeah thats one way of putting it Alan, hehe

Shirl

 

[daisymoo84]

Hi all,

What an interesting thread! I'm currently learning to ween myself of the testing strips.

I was testing several times a day when very first diagnosed and learnt loads but was also testing to reassure myself what my level was an any current time 'just to see'. Then in Dec/Jan I ran out of strips for the first time and it was a few days before I could get new ones. It felt really weird going it alone and not taking my kit to work every day felt bizarre. It was a good experience though as I learnt to trust my new knowledge of what certain food does to my levels.

I now test 3-5 mornings a week and after new food 🙂

 

[karinagal]

This might sound stupid, I apologise if it does, but for me if I don't test regularly then I lose sight of the goal and tend to let things slip. Last year around this time I had lost weight and my bg was behaving really rather well. My HBA1c was 6.5 and they were happy with my control. Eight months later, the weight was back on and the bg was creeping up and now I'm on Metformin.... So I'm back to testing and am starting to lose weight again.

Testing is my proof to myself that I can take control of this "situation". I'm lucky that I can get strips on prescription (50 every 2 months) and I've now purchased the code free meter that someone else recommended with strips @?6.99 for 50.

The weight is now slowly melting away again thanks to Fatsecret.com, a web based resource (also has an android and iPhone app) that allows me to record what I'm eating to help me keep control. It's free - I would recommend it to anyone wanting to lose a bit of weight.

Karina
😉

 

[karinagal]

So far I've lost just over 8 pounds in weight. My fasting bloods are back down from high 6's to high 5's. The Metformin seems to be doing a sterling job and I'm starting to feel a lot better. Bit concerned about the readings I've been getting in the mid to low 3's around lunchtime, especially after walking the dog.. I've noticed that I've been a bit shaky when it's this low although I know I'm not likely to suffer a hypo on 1 tablet of Metformin once a day!

I know that the kind of focus I need to help me stick to my healthier eating regime is linked to me being able to test - I only hope the doc agrees with me and keeps prescribing strips for me... Has anyone with the Code Free meter been able to get strips prescribed for it? My prescription is for my Accu Check strips at the moment....?