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Newbie Testing Question

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Charliewatch

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Good morning a couple of questions-- l have been testing my BG for about a month now,l am buying my own testing strips they are not on my prescription l tested this morning when l got up it was 5.3 l thought thats out of the ordinary so l tested it straight away on the same blood dot it was a 6.1 so l was happy with that one.Is that what other people would have done?are the BG monitors accurate, or are they just giving an idea of your BG.Did l waste a strip on the second test?
And finally when l next go to the GP and tell him l bought myself a BG tester will he give me a prescription for the strips of the model of tester, how does it work.or is it best to not to tell him.cheers Charlie.
 
Most of us would be very very happy with morning levels in the 5.0's and 6.0's. 🙂

My own preference is to be in the mid to high 4.0's though the 4.0's are sailing close to hypo levels. For me these levels help with the rest of the day as tend to peak in the teens if not careful.

I would say the big names in meters tend be be the most accurate, some meters do have a reputation to read higher than average or give varied readings.

Its always worth asking your GP for test strips, as you might be one of the lucky type 2's who will be given them on prescription. I get mine on prescription as on meds that can cause hypos and must test according to DVLA. Though I did have to justify and send a letter in to the docs to get them re-added at a decent rate.

If your doctor is one of the good ones who give strips out, may want you to change meters as some have deals with certain meter suppliers so they get the strips cheaper.
 
5s and 6s are fine Charlie. These days I'm usually in that range in the mornings as well and very happy to be there. If I wake in the fours, it usually means that either I've had a hypo in the night, or I'm headed down and I will normally test more frequently until I'm sure I'm not going to have a hypo. But that's just me, I get persistent hypos sometimes and they really scare me.

Most meters are accurate, and the latest ones are normally very reliable. I think you can probably trust the results, but if you're going to test twice in such a short time, you ought to use a new blood drop. I'm not sure but I think it's possible that exposure to the air probably changes the drop fairly quickly. Remind me though, which meter did you go for in the end?
 
l bought a accu-check aviva nano is that one any good? by the way thanks for replying.
 
l bought a accu-check aviva nano is that one any good? by the way thanks for replying.

Yes, I've never used it, but I understand it's a good option.
 
That sort of variation between fingers is something one often sees. It takes time for anything introduced into the blood to even out and also, if you squeeze your finger to get a drop, you push out other fluids into the sample.

350px-Illu_capillary_microcirculation.jpg
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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