Hi, new on gliclazide

[Thomas Lewis]

Hi I am new to the group. Do I need to strip test in gliclazide? Do the NHS provide this? Thanks

 

[Nayshiftin]

I’d say not usual for nhs to provide it depends where you are and levels etc I guess . That postcode lottery thing I guess. It is you choice to by a glucose monitor and test. I did and do like to see how high or low it is. I am still finding foods that make me spike. Also making sure I am not climbing high or about to go too low. I guess some might be a good balance I am on a journey to get there. Hope I am making sense. All the best . Welcome this is a good site. Check the pinned messages for advice there is great reds and advice . Others will help too.

 

[Andy HB]

Hi Thomas. My understanding is that gliclazide is one of those medications which can cause low blood sugars (it stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin). Consequently, it is your responsibility to ensure your blood glucose levels are suitable before driving etc. The only way you can do that is to have a meter.

Now, whether you can persuade your GP to prescribe test strips is another matter, but the GP should have already had that conversation with you when they first prescribed the medication!

If you can self-fund test strips, you may find that an 'easier' approach. My Codefree meter strips cost between £7 and £8 for a pot of 50.

 

[Ljc]

Hi as Gliclazide can cause hypo’s (low blood glucose) you should be given a glucose meter and prescribed testing strips .
If your practice refuses, they are in the wrong and you will need to put in a complaint.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi I am new to the group. Do I need to strip test in gliclazide? Do the NHS provide this? Thanks

Welcome to the forum @Thomas Lewis

Gliclazide is a medication that stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin, and carries a risk of hypoglycaemia. As such it is recommended by NICE and Diabetes UK that you shoud be offered a BG meter and suitable supply of test strips.

This is a review of Self Monitoring by Diabetes UK from 2017

Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels for adults with Type 2 diabetes (March 2017)

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Lozzark]

Gliclazide is from the class sulphonylureas and does indeed stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin. It is important to know how it works. It is complicated and if you are new to diabetes you might find this explanation a bit overwhelming. Food, usually carbohydrate increases glucose in the blood after eating it, and insulin is needed to move the glucose into cells where it is used for energy. A type 2 cannot produce enough insulin, or sufficient fast enough to facilitate cellular glucose absorption in most cases (or sometimes the insulin does not work properly). Glucose increases depend on the type and amount of food you eat and it would be useful to work out which foods send glucose soring (most peaks take half an hour after eating). Gliclazide helps bring the glucose down after a couple of hours. It's a balancing act. If you take gliclazide and don't eat, you are at risk of driving blood glucose down very low. Testing strips are essential otherwise you cannot know how high you glucose is going (allowing you to adjust your food) or if you glucose is going too low. You may notice you get "the shakes" when your glucose is low and it is inadvisable to drive. The DVLA therefore require diabetics on sulphonylureas to test before driving and then every two hours to make sure their glucose is above 4. Meter companies will often send you a free meter if you ask, but you need to negotiate with you doctor about getting test strips or cartridges on regular prescription. I did not find much problem after I explained why I needed to test. You have to remember many GPs do not really understand diabetes to any great depth (it's a complex disease) - at least they didn't when I first contracted it. Just one comment, did your doctor talk about metformin? Metformin works by helping the glucose into cells without stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin and can work well in tandem with gliclazide. Metformin is the first medicine of choice according to NICE guidelines, but then there may be reasons it is not suitable for you. The problem with producing more insulin with gliclazide is that it may cause weight gain, which in turn is not helpful.