finger pricking after meals, when to test?

[pjgtech]

So I'm just trying to think about when I start reintroducing "normal" foods (long way off yet!)
I will want to test my BG after some meals to see whats affecting my BG and by how much, etc.
Now I appreciate when you eat certain foods, my BG will normally rise. But how long does this take and when should I test it?
For example I have heard from many that theres a 2hr period when the BG rises after eating, so should I test after two hours?
And then I assume the BG will slowly drop again, so do I need to test again, say after 4-6hrs to see if its returned to normal again?
As I assume some foods will take longer to drop than others, and likewise some foods will not affect BG levels or more slowly than others or to a lesser extent.

Or is it best to avoid testing after meals and just take a BG reading in the morning to get an overall resting BG level?
Cheers for any advice....

 

[Alan44]

@pjgtech Can't help, but am very interested in the answers.

Also, what test kit do you use ?

 

[Martin.A]

The usual routine is to test just before eating and then again 2 hours later. The pre-meal target is to be between 4 and 7 and the post-meal at the 2-hour mark less than 8.5, and no more than 2 or 3 higher than pre-meal. Also, nothing but water until after the 2-hour mark.

 

[Leadinglights]

I think testing has to be for a purpose so random testing really tells you nothing so as Martin mentioned is a good routine. Once you have established a meal is OK there is no real need to test that one again. I would also add it is a good idea to test if you feel unwell.
The GlucoNavii, TEE2 or Contour Blue are all monitors with the cheaper test strips and cheaper if bought on line.

 

[pjgtech]

@pjgtech Can't help, but am very interested in the answers.

Also, what test kit do you use ?

Mine is a Gluco RX Q blood glucose monitoring system, works well.

 

[pjgtech]

Thanx for the useful info, cheers 🙂

 

[Alan44]

@pjgtech What are your readings in the morning before food ?

 

[stephenS50]

When I was diagnosed with T1D I was told to do the trick test just before eating and another one two hours later as well...and that's the way I've always done it.

 

[Leadinglights]

When I was diagnosed with T1D I was told to do the trick test just before eating and another one two hours later as well...and that's the way I've always done it.

That is certainly what is suggested for Type 2 but I not sure if that applies to Type 1 I suspect it all depends.

 

[Drummer]

That is certainly what is suggested for Type 2 but I not sure if that applies to Type 1 I suspect it all depends.

I was just told that type 1s don't test after eating, only before - but it seems odd that there isn't supposed to be a check - oh well -
For type 2s, testing 2 hours after starting to eat should give long tern benefits if the information is acted upon - high blood glucose would indicate that the meal contained too many carbs to cope with.
Oddities like my ability to get more carbs than listed from peas and beans definitely make a few checks worthwhile.

 

[pjgtech]

@pjgtech What are your readings in the morning before food ?

Now its settled down after starting the pathway to remission program, its 5.6, when I first tested it in day 1 of the program it was over 10, about 12 I think? But as I say its comes down and is now 5.6. Cheers

 

[helli]

When I was diagnosed with T1D I was told to do the trick test just before eating and another one two hours later as well...and that's the way I've always done it.

I test when I will do something with the results such as include any "overages" as corrections in a bolus or tweak my basal or because I am about to drive and I am legal obliged to do so (although this is now replaced with my CGM reading). I do not prick my finger in order to record the results.
Given injected "fast acting" insulin lasts 4 hours, I am not sure the value of testing after 2 hours when you have Type 1.
My understanding has been that the 2 hour advice for people with type 2 is to check the body's tolerance to the meal you have just eaten. This is not necessary for Type 1.
Out of interest, what do you do with the reading 2 hours after eating? Have you made any changes to what you eat or your insulin bolus due to these results?

 

[CoolShot44]

hi peter
I find testing every 2 to 3 hours after eating helps me to keep my levels in a good range and logging the results through an app or keeping a journal , i keep my logs through accu-chek app . For my journey its took me ten months to get daily readings like these but its been a long journey and strict diets limiting carb intake , everyone's different so targets vary a lot but i try to keep mine between 4 and 9 anyway good luck on the path to remission scheme
.

 

[Alan44]

Now its settled down after starting the pathway to remission program, its 5.6, when I first tested it in day 1 of the program it was over 10, about 12 I think? But as I say its comes down and is now 5.6. Cheers

That's a good reduction, when I started testing some 10 weeks ago it was in the mid 7's or so, now with weight loss, a change of diet and more exercise, I'm in the mid 5's to low 6's which is going in the right direction prior to my next blood test.
Alan 😉