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New to diabetes
- Thread starter Matt7979
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stephknits
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi, that will be down to your individual GP practice. If you are on blood sugar lowering medication they should provide you with one, bit otherwise it is very hot and miss unfortunately.
It is definitely worth an ask at your surgery, especially if you can explain how useful you will find it. There are some great pinned links on the newbie thread which go though testing regimes and what you can get out of them.
Many people on here self-fund so they can keep a track on how the carbs they are eating are affecting their blood sugar numbers. Someone will know which is the cheapest at the mo.
It is definitely worth an ask at your surgery, especially if you can explain how useful you will find it. There are some great pinned links on the newbie thread which go though testing regimes and what you can get out of them.
Many people on here self-fund so they can keep a track on how the carbs they are eating are affecting their blood sugar numbers. Someone will know which is the cheapest at the mo.
D
Deleted member 27171
Guest
Hi @Matt7979
If the doctor is willing to supply the meter and prescribe the strips that’s great! Often people with Type 2 find it difficult to get the doctor to agree to this depending upon how they treat their diabetes. Are you on any medication?
If the doctor isn’t prescribing the strips then it is worth looking around as the cost of strips can vary quite a lot, so if you will be self funding then finding an affordable meter is important. Your pharmacy can advise and as has been mentioned you can also get them online.
Once you have decided on a meter it is important you make the most of the information you gather from it. The following link may be helpful: https://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html
If the doctor is willing to supply the meter and prescribe the strips that’s great! Often people with Type 2 find it difficult to get the doctor to agree to this depending upon how they treat their diabetes. Are you on any medication?
If the doctor isn’t prescribing the strips then it is worth looking around as the cost of strips can vary quite a lot, so if you will be self funding then finding an affordable meter is important. Your pharmacy can advise and as has been mentioned you can also get them online.
Once you have decided on a meter it is important you make the most of the information you gather from it. The following link may be helpful: https://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html
HenryBennett
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
My DN was adamant that I didn’t need one, so I’ve bought one from Amazon. It’s the best thing I could have done.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Matt7979
It is certainly worth asking your GP - some are more switched on to the possibility of using a BG meter to support dietary changes than others.
If you do need to self fund though, the Spirit Tee2 and Caresens Gluco Navii both have strips priced at approx £8 for 50, and that can be a huge saving over some high street brands that can cost £30 for a pot!
Let us know how you get on with your Dr.
Diabetes UK have an advocacy pack which might give you some useful ammunition if you read it before you have the conversation 🙂
I’ll see if I can dig out a link...
Edit: Here it is, I’m not sure if it has been changed or updated recently, but there used to be sections about access for T2s (inc diet & exercise) as well as T1s
www.diabetes.org.uk
It is certainly worth asking your GP - some are more switched on to the possibility of using a BG meter to support dietary changes than others.
If you do need to self fund though, the Spirit Tee2 and Caresens Gluco Navii both have strips priced at approx £8 for 50, and that can be a huge saving over some high street brands that can cost £30 for a pot!
Let us know how you get on with your Dr.
Diabetes UK have an advocacy pack which might give you some useful ammunition if you read it before you have the conversation 🙂
I’ll see if I can dig out a link...
Edit: Here it is, I’m not sure if it has been changed or updated recently, but there used to be sections about access for T2s (inc diet & exercise) as well as T1s
Availability of blood glucose test strips
Diabetes UK Advocacy pack We have produced this pack for people with diabetes who are concerned about the restriction of blood glucose test strips on prescription. As well as containing information about how to challenge any test strip issues and some tools to help you advocate for yourself, it...
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