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Blood testing and monitors

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Shirley Cooper3791

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi I was diagnosed just under 2 weeks ago I'm on metformin 1 a day then 2 on tues and then 4 500g. I was wondering do your doctor give you a monitor and strips or do u have to buy them yourself. Thank you
 
Evening Shirley
It's currently a contentious issue some of us get strips and a meter then again some don't it's really dependant on where you are in the country. When I was first diagnosed and diet and exercise only I didn't get one. Some members I know have gone out and bought there own . Have you had any inkling from your GP you would get one is you asked,?
 
Hi. It would be worth asking to see if they will provide a meter and some test strips, however most practices say no to people who are not on meds that can cause hypo's. Saying it's not necessary, it would only upset you etc or that the Hb1ac blood test they do is all that's necessary.
Most of us find testing our own blood glucose , initially before eating then two hours afterwards beneficial in finding out what foods our bodies tolerate best.

Many here use the SD Codefree meter from Amazon or directly from Homehealth.
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
It has the cheapest test strips we know of. Around £8 for 50, others are £15+
We use the mmol/l measurement in the UK. You are entitled to claim VAT relief
 
Steff said:
Evening Shirley
It's currently a contentious issue some of us get strips and a meter then again some don't it's really dependant on where you are in the country. When I was first diagnosed and diet and exercise only I didn't get one. Some members I know have gone out and bought there own . Have you had any inkling from your GP you would get one is you asked,?
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I'm not sure she was talking about how I would be seeing them a lot over the next few months. I 've the practice nurse on Thursday she has monitor s in her room. I'm still not very sure what the numbers should be. When I did the fasting test I was 10.1 I assumed it was bad by the docs reaction my nephew has diabetes he tested me last Sunday and I was 9.4 I don't know if that's good or bad. Sorry it's so confusing
 
I have been given monitors and a repeat prescription for test strips and lancets.
 
Shirley Cooper3791 said:
I'm not sure she was talking about how I would be seeing them a lot over the next few months. I 've the practice nurse on Thursday she has monitor s in her room. I'm still not very sure what the numbers should be. When I did the fasting test I was 10.1 I assumed it was bad by the docs reaction my nephew has diabetes he tested me last Sunday and I was 9.4 I don't know if that's good or bad. Sorry it's so confusing
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Gosh my numbers are yuk at the minute and my doc actually was real supportive your 10.1 I'm only just getting In to the 11s so I'd he happy. But usually between 5 and 7 is good for us . Maybe approach the subject and see what reaction yout get
 
I was given a monitor and repeat for test strips. When I was first diagnosed I was told to aim for under 10. The levels you should eventually be aiming for are under 8.5 two hours after eating and between 4-6 before eating.
 
Steff said:
Gosh my numbers are yuk at the minute and my doc actually was real supportive your 10.1 I'm only just getting In to the 11s so I'd he happy. But usually between 5 and 7 is good for us . Maybe approach the subject and see what reaction yout get
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Thanks Steff I'll lets yours know how I get on. X
 
Steff said:
Great best of luck x
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Hi I had the nurse yesterday I 've been writing a good diary since I was diagnosed she was really happy with what I'm eating she weighed me and I've lost 11 lbs in 3 weeksi asked her about a monitor she recommended not to get one and they don't provide them for t2
She was really happy with what I'm doing and I'm going to see her every 4 weeks for a weigh in. I told her it's my wedding anniversary today and my hubby wants to take me out for dinner she said go out and enjoy a meal and a pudding as a treat. But back on it tomorrow.
 
Hi Shirley, it sounds like you're starting to do well. Ignore anyone who says don't bother to get a meter - it's the only way to see what effect different foods have on you! Ljc has given the link above to the SD Codefree, which a lot of us use. It's cheap and perfectly adequate so it's advisable to get one and start testing. You'll find it's quite fascinating to find out what spikes you and what doesn't - M&S chocolate eclairs for example seem to be fine :D !

Let us know how you get on, and ask any questions you like as we're here to help!

Happy anniversary to you and your husband 🙂
 
Happy anniversary to you both. Testing is definitely a good way of knowing how foods affect you. Well done on you weight loss too.
 
I had to buy my own meter and test strips, but it is worth asking first. My bs are still not good after 3 months but it does at least let me see what I can and cant eat. I cannot eat bread, porridge, pasta. I ok with couscous. I haven't testing myself with rice or potatoes yet as I rarely eat them anyway.

Well done on your weight loss.
 
Shirley Cooper3791 said:
Hi I had the nurse yesterday I 've been writing a good diary since I was diagnosed she was really happy with what I'm eating she weighed me and I've lost 11 lbs in 3 weeksi asked her about a monitor she recommended not to get one and they don't provide them for t2
She was really happy with what I'm doing and I'm going to see her every 4 weeks for a weigh in. I told her it's my wedding anniversary today and my hubby wants to take me out for dinner she said go out and enjoy a meal and a pudding as a treat. But back on it tomorrow.
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Hi Shirley,
First happy anniversary to you and hubby, hope you have a good meal.As PM states ignore anyone who says you dont need a meter you do need one its a diabetics vital bit of kit lol.
 
Another one for get a meter. I had one from my GP but would have bought otherwise I would be eating blind
 
I bought the meter and strips from the link Ljc gave the sd code free. My husband doesn't agree with me but hey ho I want to know what my bloods are. I don't want to become obsesed but only want to test once a week when is the best time to test. Thank you
 
Shirley Cooper3791 said:
I bought the meter and strips from the link Ljc gave the sd code free. My husband doesn't agree with me but hey ho I want to know what my bloods are. I don't want to become obsesed but only want to test once a week when is the best time to test. Thank you
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I'm fairly new to all this myself so this is only my thinking. I don't think that measuring once a week is of much benefit but much more experienced members may disagree. I bought a monitor to keep tabs on my BG, with an emphasis on learning what particular food was tolerable and which was not. So in these first few weeks I am monitoring once in the morning before food, once before my main meal and then two hours later. I'm literally noting my readings and what I've eaten, so that eventually after building up knowledge of the effects on BG I will be able to cut back on monitoring and eat more spontaneously, with a degree of confidence. That's my theory anyway, but I may learn otherwise in due course.
 
I'm afraid testing once a week is pretty pointless at this stage. You need to kmow how food affects you & the only way to do that is to test before & after every meal. Once you get an idea of whats ok to eat & what to avoid, then you can test less often.
 
I am type 2 and was told by my doctor that they don't give meters etc. However I have a new doctor and will be seeing her next week so going to ask again
 
Most GP's don't supply meters to type 2's unless you are on hypo inducing meds. I bought the SD Codefree which is available from Amazon or Home Health. It's cheapest for test strips.
 
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