Alternative Blood Sugar Meters on NHS?

[CAElite]

Hey folks

My first post here so I figure I will provide some details about myself, I am in my mid 20s, have been diabetic T1 for 6 years, use a basal bolus insulin regime (Lantis & novorapid pens), which I have used since a wee bit after my diagnosis, use a Freestyle Optum BG meter, again which I have had since diagnosed.

I am just looking to know if there are any alternatives for blood glucose monitoring to the finger prick things, I wish to discuss this with my consultant but my local diabetes clinic times are incompatible with my work at the moment. Last time I spoke with him I asked about the continuous BG meters and he recommended a couple, but neither where available on the NHS and require ~£60/month in bits to keep running, I can't afford this at the moment.

So yeah, would love some advice as to what BG meters are available that are, possibly more compact and less of a hassle to use than the finger prick types, I currently am a student and work part time as a delivery driver (3.5 ton luton), but really want to get a good 3 months of decent BG record so I can go for my HGV class 1 medical. I will admit to being pretty mince at keeping a track of my BG readings at the moment, I seldom hypo & when I do I tend to be able to catch it when I am still 4.5-5.0, but do however let my blood sugar creep up to the early to mid double digits without rectification more often than I would like.

I know it is a bit of a cop out blaming my current BG meter for my laziness to check my blood sugar, but I do feel I'd be able to keep much better control if stopping to check my sugar wasn't such a faff.

Thanks for reading, would love to hear any input as to what is available
CAE

 

[SB2015]

Hi CAE

Welcome to the forum.

The only things available to monitor your glucose level, apart from finger pricker, are sensors which as you have found out are costly. In some areas the Libre has been provided on the NHS for those that meet strict criteria which are set by each Clinicla Commissioning Group who set out the plans and funding for each area. HOWEVER it is important to realise that DVLA will not accept the readings form these for driving. You still need a fingerprick test before driving and then every two hours.

With regard to meters, before I switched to the pump and it’s associated handset I used a Freestyle lite meter, which had a bolus calculator, and included any active insulin in these calculations. It was small, required a very small sample, and very quick to use. In some areas where people are not on a pump they are being asked to switch to meters that use cheaper test strips. What are you using at present?

You mention that you are on the basal/bolus regime and that you would like to reduce the amount of time that you are running high. Have you done a DAFNE course, and/or been taught how to make corrections?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

There are choices in style of fingerprick meters (eg compact ones like USB style Contour Next Link, and meters that offer bolus advice like Expert or Insulinx)

For continuous monitoring the most affordable system is still the Freestyle Libre which several members here self-fund.

Check the DUK website for their Flash Glucose campaign which has a map where you can see if Libre is available on tbr NHS in your area.

Other CGM which offer alarms if your BG is approaching high or low levelS include Dexcom (G4 or G5) Medtronic (Guardian Connect) or the newcomer Medtrum (A6). These are very rarely offered on the NHS though, but do ask in your clinic - especially if you have a specific reason why you think you would benefit, eg recurrent severe hypoglycaemia.