Hi and thanks for the acceptance, just diagnosed the type 2, well 5 weeks ago. Not had much guidance from the doctor,, finding things quite hard, been told to only test once a day (in the morning) but average for the last 2 weeks is 9.5, it was higher so going in the right direction. Anyway I'm looking forward to getting some helpful information from you guys, thanks
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- Thread starter Steve T5
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Leadinglights
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Testing in the morning will give you the general trend of your blood glucose level from day to day but as you say it is higher than you really want it to be, but it is early days. You hope to be seeing 4-7mmol/l fasting /morning and before meals.
Many find that by testing before and 2 hours after meals they can identify which foods are increasing blood glucose more that you want if you are to get your overall level down. The increase from your meal to aim at in an increase of no more than 2-3mmol/l. If it is then you know your meal is too carb heavy and you should reduce the portion of the high carb food or cut it out completely. As your level reduces the rule of thumb is a 2-hour post meal reading of no more than 8-8.5 mmol/l.
Obviously doing this will initially use more test strips so you may have to fund those yourself, so people opt for a monitor with the cheapest test strips, the GlucoNavii or TEE 2 are 2 monitors with such strips.
Once you find a meal suits you then no need to test that meal again and you will soon build up a repertoire of meals that are safe.
Many find that by testing before and 2 hours after meals they can identify which foods are increasing blood glucose more that you want if you are to get your overall level down. The increase from your meal to aim at in an increase of no more than 2-3mmol/l. If it is then you know your meal is too carb heavy and you should reduce the portion of the high carb food or cut it out completely. As your level reduces the rule of thumb is a 2-hour post meal reading of no more than 8-8.5 mmol/l.
Obviously doing this will initially use more test strips so you may have to fund those yourself, so people opt for a monitor with the cheapest test strips, the GlucoNavii or TEE 2 are 2 monitors with such strips.
Once you find a meal suits you then no need to test that meal again and you will soon build up a repertoire of meals that are safe.
rebrascora
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Hi Steve and welcome.
Sorry you qualify to be here but from my experience it is a great place to be for diabetes knowledge and support.
Are you on any medication for your diabetes? I am guessing you might be if you have been provided with a BG meter. Can you clarify what you have been prescribed and do you know your HbA1c result? This is the blood test used to diagnose diabetes and will be a number in excess of 47 but can be into 3 figures if things have gone significantly awry. The number gives you an indication of how significantly you may need to adjust your diet and perhaps exercise/activity levels and it is used to track your progress with managing your diabetes. The finger prick tests are just a moment in time and BG levels fluctuate quite a lot throughout the day and night so whilst they can be really useful in seeing the impact of certain meals or foods on your levels by testing just before and then 2 hours after eating, it can be of less use when very limited, random testing is done. If you are on particular medication like Gliclazide it is important to be able to test if you feel unwell, in case your BG levels have dropped too low, but generally GPs are very reluctant for patients to home test because sadly they don't understand the huge benefit of using it to tailor your diet to your particular response to foods and of course your tastes.
Anyway, if you can give us a little more info about your diagnosis, how it came about, medication and the sort of foods you currently eat, we can perhaps make some appropriate suggestions, for how you can improve things.
Sorry you qualify to be here but from my experience it is a great place to be for diabetes knowledge and support.
Are you on any medication for your diabetes? I am guessing you might be if you have been provided with a BG meter. Can you clarify what you have been prescribed and do you know your HbA1c result? This is the blood test used to diagnose diabetes and will be a number in excess of 47 but can be into 3 figures if things have gone significantly awry. The number gives you an indication of how significantly you may need to adjust your diet and perhaps exercise/activity levels and it is used to track your progress with managing your diabetes. The finger prick tests are just a moment in time and BG levels fluctuate quite a lot throughout the day and night so whilst they can be really useful in seeing the impact of certain meals or foods on your levels by testing just before and then 2 hours after eating, it can be of less use when very limited, random testing is done. If you are on particular medication like Gliclazide it is important to be able to test if you feel unwell, in case your BG levels have dropped too low, but generally GPs are very reluctant for patients to home test because sadly they don't understand the huge benefit of using it to tailor your diet to your particular response to foods and of course your tastes.
Anyway, if you can give us a little more info about your diagnosis, how it came about, medication and the sort of foods you currently eat, we can perhaps make some appropriate suggestions, for how you can improve things.
Cherrelle DUK
Much missed Online Community Coordinator
Hi Steve T5, welcome to the forum.
I found testing in the morning and after my meal helpful as you can track the impact of your meals on your blood sugar. Maybe only for a few weeks until you get use to things and can adjust accordingly.
We've got some helpful info re testing that's worth a look https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.
I found testing in the morning and after my meal helpful as you can track the impact of your meals on your blood sugar. Maybe only for a few weeks until you get use to things and can adjust accordingly.
We've got some helpful info re testing that's worth a look https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.
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