Confused, Glucose monitoring.

L

Lil3823

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Pronouns
She/Her
So i went to see the Diabetes nurse last Thursday. She has now put me on metformin 500mg once a day due to me having type 2. ( Hba1c is 55) Was first diagnosed in Oct 23.
I mentioned about checking sugar levels. No she said dont need to at all!
I also have atrophy of the pancreas and i thought it would of been important to at least check them a few times a week?
Perhap a concern i should raise to my gastro consultant.
 
Lil3823 said:
So i went to see the Diabetes nurse last Thursday. She has now put me on metformin 500mg once a day due to me having type 2. ( Hba1c is 55) Was first diagnosed in Oct 23.
I mentioned about checking sugar levels. No she said dont need to at all!
I also have atrophy of the pancreas and i thought it would of been important to at least check them a few times a week?
Perhap a concern i should raise to my gastro consultant.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum
Your HbA1C is not too far into the diabetic zone and dietary changes are more likely to be effective than a low dose of metformin. They are not obliged to provide a blood glucose monitor and strips on prescription but many do self fund to give them control over managing their condition. I am curious why you have been diagnosed as Type 2 as those whose diabetes is caused by pancreatic problems would normally be Type 3c and may eventually need a different treatment plan that if Type 2.
That in itself would warrant raising concerns with your gastro consultant and get a referral to the hospital diabetic clinic.
This link explains about Type 3c https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/type-3c-diabetes
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum
Your HbA1C is not too far into the diabetic zone and dietary changes are more likely to be effective than a low dose of metformin. They are not obliged to provide a blood glucose monitor and strips on prescription but many do self fund to give them control over managing their condition. I am curious why you have been diagnosed as Type 2 as those whose diabetes is caused by pancreatic problems would normally be Type 3c and may eventually need a different treatment plan that if Type 2.
That in itself would warrant raising concerns with your gastro consultant and get a referral to the hospital diabetic clinic.
This link explains about Type 3c https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/type-3c-diabetes
Click to expand...
Diabetes nurse is just going on my Hba1c result. I raised my concerns about the atrophy and i dont feel she was knowledgable about this. I havnt collected my metformin prescription as yet as waiting for my exemption card to arrive. I also have a liver condition so will be checking any medication im prescribed is safe with that. I guess its finding out whether the pancreas has caused the atrophy or the diabetes has. Will certainly mention Type 3c as ive had slight pancreatitis a few times over the past few years. Its just so frustrating getting myself sorted as all i want to do is feel better.
 
Lil3823 said:
Diabetes nurse is just going on my Hba1c result. I raised my concerns about the atrophy and i dont feel she was knowledgable about this. I havnt collected my metformin prescription as yet as waiting for my exemption card to arrive. I also have a liver condition so will be checking any medication im prescribed is safe with that. I guess its finding out whether the pancreas has caused the atrophy or the diabetes has. Will certainly mention Type 3c as ive had slight pancreatitis a few times over the past few years. Its just so frustrating getting myself sorted as all i want to do is feel better.
Click to expand...
Finding a dietary approach which suits multiple conditions can be tricky and I don't know if low carb would be suitable but it is certainly one that many find successful in reducing their blood glucose.
You could look at this link to see if that approach would be suitable for your other issues but in any case it may give you some ideas. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
Lil3823 said:
I havnt collected my metformin prescription as yet as waiting for my exemption card to arrive.
Click to expand...
Id pay for the metformin if you can and explain to pharmacist that exemption is on the way and can you have a receipt to reclaim the cost afterwards. Or check online if your exemption status has been updated as you can show the online status instead of the actual card
 
I also have an atrophic pancreas. It was self inflicted in my case. This problem caused the diabetes it seems. I was told that it is calcified also, so doubly inefficient in doing its job. This lead to temporary jaundice (fixed by taking gliclazide).
Your gastro consultant should help. He might put you down for an endoscopy that would allow them a visual check on the condition. I've had four of these, all with the same result.
 
victorhamesse said:
I also have an atrophic pancreas. It was self inflicted in my case. This problem caused the diabetes it seems. I was told that it is calcified also, so doubly inefficient in doing its job. This lead to temporary jaundice (fixed by taking gliclazide).
Your gastro consultant should help. He might put you down for an endoscopy that would allow them a visual check on the condition. I've had four of these, all with the same result.
Click to expand...
The Atrophy was picked up on a contrast dye mri. I also have a liver condition and cystic kidneys. So i shall be checking first with my consultant that everything diabetes nurse is doing is correct and safe.
 
Welcome @Lil3823,

My instinct is, like @Leadinglights, your T2 could be T3c. At first glance you might say "so what" and so might the GP or whoever is doing the diagnosing. But T3c does usually make future treatment paths much more flexible and inclusive; certainly including a meter and test strips on prescription, but also Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) if appropriate. Also setting you up to be referred to an Endocrinologist for a more specialised review. Meanwhile do ask your Gastro Conaultant for advice.

Since your Practice Nurse is reluctant to encourage you to do regular tests, you might wish to do what other newly diagnosed people do and self fund a meter and test strips. The cost of the meter is small in relation to the ongoing cost of test strips. I need to rummage here in the Forum to remind myself which system is most cost effective. Testing systematically is a really good way of working out what foods work for you, regardless of whether you are T2 or T3c; you still need to know that.

Good luck.
 
In terms of self funding - I use a Contour Plus Blue meter. With the VAT relief, the strips cost around £8 for a pack of 50 if I remember correctly. It also has an app for recording readings, and connects to your phone by bluetooth. Another good thing for a newbie, is that if it doesn't get enough blood on the strip first time, it gives you 30 seconds to add some more rather than just erroring.
 
wantonnoodle said:
In terms of self funding - I use a Contour Plus Blue meter. With the VAT relief, the strips cost around £8 for a pack of 50 if I remember correctly. It also has an app for recording readings, and connects to your phone by bluetooth. Another good thing for a newbie, is that if it doesn't get enough blood on the strip first time, it gives you 30 seconds to add some more rather than just erroring.
Click to expand...
That is a good feature as people often think the blood goes onto the strip rather than being sucked INTO the strip which is why first attempts fail.
 
Welcome to the forum @Lil3823

Good to hear you are getting things checked.

I’m sure you’ll find your feet very swiftly, and hopefully you’ll find a balance between meds and menu that work for all your conditions and requirements 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top