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New T2

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R

RUSSSMITH169

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi I have been pre diabetic for 2 years & have now been diagnosed T2 this week, spent 2 days reading looking online there is so much info, I have read quite a few threads on here, getting my head round food now, need to move more, I have been advised to loose weight and change lifestyle, food, exercise, I wondered what do people recommend for Blood Glucose monitors, it all seems a bit of a minefield , any advice would be appreciated?
 
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Hi Russ I use a Tee2 Monitor this seems to work OK for me, plenty
advice from the members will probably follow 🙂
 
Hi Russ - your avatar shows you as Type 1, but you tell us you're Type 2. This doesn't affect how much the forum can help you - but many GPs don't prescribe BG monitors to Type 2 patients and much more to the point - don't prescribe the testing strips for them - since they are the things which cost money on an ongoing basis.

Whereas for Type 1s since we always have to use insulin - the NHS do cough up and prescribe meters and strips, no problem.

Assuming you are Type 2 and will need to fund a meter and strips yourself, the most reliable and cheapest ones that other T2s on here recommend are the Spirit Healthcare Tee 2, and the Gluco Navii one.
 
trophywench said:
Hi Russ - your avatar shows you as Type 1, but you tell us you're Type 2. This doesn't affect how much the forum can help you - but many GPs don't prescribe BG monitors to Type 2 patients and much more to the point - don't prescribe the testing strips for them - since they are the things which cost money on an ongoing basis.

Whereas for Type 1s since we always have to use insulin - the NHS do cough up and prescribe meters and strips, no problem.

Assuming you are Type 2 and will need to fund a meter and strips yourself, the most reliable and cheapest ones that other T2s on here recommend are the Spirit Healthcare Tee 2, and the Gluco Navii one.
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Hi Jenny, i have edited my account I am type 2, thank you for your advice, i will have to fund & want to keep an eye on my levels so will have a look at your suggestions.
 
Anitram said:
Hi. Welcome to the Forum. Are you happy to share information about your diabetes, eg HbA1c, any meds, have you been told to lose weight? This will show everyone where you are on the diabetes spectrum and tailor advice accordingly.

As far as BG monitors go the thing to remember is that the monitor is a one-off cost but there are running costs in the form of lancets and test strips, so those who are self-funding go for a monitor that's cheap to run. As mine was issued to me by my DN (although I'm self-funding lancets & test strips these days) I'll leave others self-funders to advise on the cheapest to run.

Welcome aboard.

Martin
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Hi Martin, early stages, i have been told to loose weight and alter diet & lifestyle all of which i am keen to get on with and am doing, i will be reviewed in 3 months regarding the need for medication etc. Thank you for your advice.
 
Hi, I use the Spirit Tee 2 too 🙂 they seem reliable, orders arrive really quickly. Easy to use. It really helps to know how your body reacts to different foods and portion sizes. Many of us were in your position so there's lots of friendly advice here.
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Welcome to the forum @RUSSSMITH169

As others have suggested the most affordable meters members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50

You can use a BG meter, taking a reading before and again 2hrs after eating, to see what the differences are, to identify any carbs that seem to be spiking BG (initially in a way the numbers themselves matter less than the differences between them). Once you can see how you respond to different meals you can begin experimenting with reducing amounts of carbs and trying different types (sometimes just having things at a different time of day makes a difference). Gradually tweaking and tailoring your menu to find one that suits your tastebuds, your waistline and your BG levels 🙂

If you are interested in this approach you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.

If you would like a good overview of T2 diabetes, to add to the knowledge you’ve already picked up, members here frequently recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter and Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year, which you can work through gradually and will give you a solid starting point.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
 
Hi @RUSSSMITH169 and welcome. Great advice from @everydayupsanddowns All three suggestions for reading material I would strongly support. For diet it is carbs you need to control. The body rapidly breaks them down into glucose. This is all carbs not just sugar so things like bread, rice, pasta, potatoes such be consumed in moderation (if at all). The book Carbs and Cals is very useful in this regard
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Welcome to the forum @RUSSSMITH169

As others have suggested the most affordable meters members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50

You can use a BG meter, taking a reading before and again 2hrs after eating, to see what the differences are, to identify any carbs that seem to be spiking BG (initially in a way the numbers themselves matter less than the differences between them). Once you can see how you respond to different meals you can begin experimenting with reducing amounts of carbs and trying different types (sometimes just having things at a different time of day makes a difference). Gradually tweaking and tailoring your menu to find one that suits your tastebuds, your waistline and your BG levels 🙂

If you are interested in this approach you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.

If you would like a good overview of T2 diabetes, to add to the knowledge you’ve already picked up, members here frequently recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter and Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year, which you can work through gradually and will give you a solid starting point.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
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Thank you some brilliant advice i will have a look at your suggestions. Russ
 
adrian1der said:
Hi @RUSSSMITH169 and welcome. Great advice from @everydayupsanddowns All three suggestions for reading material I would strongly support. For diet it is carbs you need to control. The body rapidly breaks them down into glucose. This is all carbs not just sugar so things like bread, rice, pasta, potatoes such be consumed in moderation (if at all). The book Carbs and Cals is very useful in this regard
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Thanks Adrian its great that the general consensus with most people is aligned there's nothing worse then 50 different opinions and ideas, this forum is a great source of info, knowledge & experience with great people sharing its great to have the support. Russ
 
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