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checking sugar levels

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Chris cov

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
People seem obsessed with checking sugar levels l was not given meter and when l was diagnosed was just above the diabetes scale 50 my weight is stable
 
Hi Chris. One of the reasons we test is to find out how foods affect our BG levels, so we can change things. Diabetes is very individual, eg I can eat porridge without it spiking me others need to avoid it like the plague. We need to know these things so we can try to avoid unnecessary diabetic complications . Many in the NHS say the Hb1ac test is all we need, the trouble with this is it's only an average over the past 12 or so weeks.
We also believe that denying people who are not on drugs that can cause hypo's,is a cost cutting measure , which in the long run will end up costing them more.

Those of us on meds that can cause hypo's inc insulin actually need to test regularly

If you would like to test do ask your gp/ nurse . If as s likely your told no , many reasons are given inc things like, it would only upset you.
The SD Codefree meter is the cheapest one to self fund .
It's available from Amazon or directly from Homehealth
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
We use the mmol/L measurement in the uk.
 
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I am fairly new as well. At the moment I only check my levels in the morning after fasting, this is giving me an indication of whether the Metformin and changes to my diet have made any difference. Next week is on my list to start checking it before and after meals, I am a bit phobic of the whole testing process at the moment. My pharmacist recommended checking my levels.

I have the codefree one mentioned above.
 
Ljc said:
Hi Chris. One of the reasons we test is to find out how foods affect our BG levels, so we can change things. Diabetes is very individual, eg I can eat porridge without it spiking me others need to avoid it like the plague. We need to know these things so we can try to avoid unnecessary diabetic complications . Many in the NHS say the Hb1ac test is all we need, the trouble with this is it's only an average over the past 12 or so weeks.
We also believe that denying people who are not on drugs that can cause hypo's,is a cost cutting measure , which in the long run will end up costing them more.

Those of us on meds that can cause hypo's inc insulin actually need to test regularly

If you would like to test do ask your gp/ nurse . If as s likely your told no , many reasons are given inc things like, it would only upset you.
The SD Codefree meter is the cheapest one to self fund .
It's available from Amazon or directly from Homehealth
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
We use the mmol/L measurement in the uk.
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I am at docs nx wk but personally does it make you worry more keep testing l am on metformin 500mg 1 a day and l can't afford a meter l went on Desmond course and they never said about keep testing just diet and l have loss one and half stone in weight
 
Speaking personally, in the beginning When I was Metformin the norm was to prescribe meters and test strips , it not only reassured me but taught me what foods to avoid, change or so reduce portion size.
Then came the time they stopped prescribing the strips, I found that time hard as I couldn't afford them , the SD Codefree wasn't available then.
Now I'm on insulin and test around 5 times a day.
If you are worried about testing or needle phobic. Most of use use the lancing devise that come with the meter, the lancet is completely hidden, when we press the button it releases the spring , once it's pricked the finger the lancet disappears back into the lancing devise.
 
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Well done on your weight loss. I think you need to do what you find best for you, as I am discovering a one size fits all approach does not work with diabetes. When I was diagnosed I expected to come on this forum and just be told, don't eat sugary things, but as you know it is not as simple as that, each one of us is different. What works for me, might not work for you and vice versa.

I like the idea of testing so I can see if my BG is coming down and want to start seeing what foods affect me, I am secretly hoping that I am the person that can still eat pasta without raising my BG levels, but I think that is just a dream. I actually hate the thought of testing in terms of actually picking myself but for me if I need to do that to control my diabetes, then I have to get over that phobia. But for you know your BG levels might make you worry more.

I hope you find out what works for you, I am still learning so much and find this forum so helpful.
 
Chris cov said:
People seem obsessed with checking sugar levels l was not given meter and when l was diagnosed was just above the diabetes scale 50 my weight is stable
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I went to my chemist to pick up a prescription and spoke with pharmacist he said people who on not on insulin don't normally check levels anyway he had a meter and gv it me free its a freestyle optium neo does anyone hv one he said don't keep checking it
 
Chris cov said:
I went to my chemist to pick up a prescription and spoke with pharmacist he said people who on not on insulin don't normally check levels anyway he had a meter and gv it me free its a freestyle optium neo does anyone hv one he said don't keep checking it
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Sorry that is not necessarily right, there are a group of drugs, which is one Gliclizide that can cause the blood sugar level to drop, so legally drivers should check before driving that they are fit to do so.
 
grovesy said:
Sorry that is not necessarily right, there are a group of drugs, which is one Gliclizide that can cause the blood sugar level to drop, so legally drivers should check before driving that they are fit to do so.
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I am on metformin one in the morning and l tk blood pressure tablet vitamin D and statin
 
Chris cov said:
People seem obsessed with checking sugar levels l was not given meter and when l was diagnosed was just above the diabetes scale 50 my weight is stable
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Good news on the weight loss Chris.
For myself, I regard testing as invaluable, my FBG taken in the morning gives me a baseline for the day, it's typically around 5.0 (today 4.8). Based on that I can decide on my daily meals. Spot checks for when I feel a little off can help understanding why I am feeling like I do. Testing before & after trying a meal outside of what I usually eat will tell me if I tolerate the food that I have eaten.

I don't always test (now I'm under good control) but I do find testing helps keep me accountable
 
Grannylorraine said:
I am secretly hoping that I am the person that can still eat pasta without raising my BG levels, but I think that is just a dream.

One tip for pasta (other than reducing portion size and using wholewheat rather than white), is to cook it, let it cool, and then reheat. Some people have found this helps.
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Chris cov said:
its a freestyle optium neo
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I've got one of these. They're okay, nice flat design so sits in my pocket easier. :D It has strips to check ketones on it as well. If you're paying for strips for it then I think they're quite expensive £20-25 for 50.
 
I was given a meter and I've had repeat strips provided by GP. I test as it keeps me focussed on trying to keep my levels on target. I am a bit obsessive at times. I am very happy if my waking blood sugar is in high 5 or worse still over 6, because I have achieved fours!! I'm not sure why the last 2 weeks I am never below 5 and why sometimes I'm low 6s.

I found eating a hefty chunk of birthday cake put me up to into the 8s at the two hour mark but back down to low 7s at the three hour mark - so no need to feel too guilty over a very occasional treat.

I have try to test before/after food. Not always possible as sometimes work/life gets in the way. As a bare minimum I check first and last thing each day. It stops me stressing because I have an idea what my levels are.

Nice of pharmacist to give you a free meter but how much are the strips. A free meter with strips costing £15-30 maybe a false economy.
 
Grogg1 said:
I was given a meter and I've had repeat strips provided by GP. I test as it keeps me focussed on trying to keep my levels on target. I am a bit obsessive at times. I am very happy if my waking blood sugar is in high 5 or worse still over 6, because I have achieved fours!! I'm not sure why the last 2 weeks I am never below 5 and why sometimes I'm low 6s.

I found eating a hefty chunk of birthday cake put me up to into the 8s at the two hour mark but back down to low 7s at the three hour mark - so no need to feel too guilty over a very occasional treat.

I have try to test before/after food. Not always possible as sometimes work/life gets in the way. As a bare minimum I check first and last thing each day. It stops me stressing because I have an idea what my levels are.

Nice of pharmacist to give you a free meter but how much are the strips. A free meter with strips costing £15-30 maybe a false economy.
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The Pharmacist most properly got it of the company rep as some of the meter manufacturers will give them away on thier websites.
 
It would worry me to death not knowing what my BG levels are. OK, yes, when you get an unexpected spike, it is a worry, but I'd rather know this so I can do something about it.
 
Chris cov said:
... personally does it make you worry more keep testing
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Of course we're very scared and depressed because of not knowing compared to testing and knowing. A nurse at my old GP practice said I'd just worry if I knew my figures. That's one of the big reasons I left. Such a condecending, stupid and *%$£%& thing to say.
 
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Mark Parrott said:
It would worry me to death not knowing what my BG levels are. OK, yes, when you get an unexpected spike, it is a worry, but I'd rather know this so I can do something about it.
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Same here Mark.
 
Testing can be pretty scary. When I was first diagnosed, and I wasn't put on insulin, I refused to test myself. I was terrified of doing it. It meant I couldn't be in denial about my illness, it meant I had to be accountable for what I was eating etc, and quite frankly, it was easier for me to live in denial and pretend it all wasn't happening. My HbA1c whilst not testing, wasn't great. I began testing, and seeing some of the high numbers I was having was upsetting. Eventually however, I started to test, I discovered what foods I could tolerate, and what I couldn't. For example. I can tolerate a jacket potato, which I love, but I can't tolerate porridge. This is the opposite to many people, and I wouldn't have known this without testing. My HbA1c after I was testing for a few months was hugely improved. Without testing at home, the only way you'll know how well your diabetes is controlled is with a HbA1c, and whilst this is a good indicator, it's only an average, so you won't know if your BGs are spiking on a day to day basis, and spikes are what cause issues.
So I think that testing is an invaluable weapon in learning about how diabetes affects you. Keeping your BGs controlled will make you feel much better, and it will greatly reduce the risk of complications in the future.
The most cost effective meter that many people use on here is the SD Codefree form Amazon or Home Health. The strips are much cheaper than other brands.
 
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