Hi, a couple of years ago I was feeling very tired and running out of energy, I'm 68 years old and weigh around 11.5 stone, and put it down to age. I visited my doctor and he took a blood test and informed I was prediabetic with a reading of 42, he advised lifestyle changes, which sadly I ignored and continued to pig out on ice-cream, chocolates and sweets, red wine etc. Anyway two years down the line he called me in for a follow up blood test, and it worked out at 94. Alarm bells rang at the surgery and they put me on metaforin. After taking this for several weeks I find it really upsets my digestive system, so I want to stop the medicine and manage my type 2 diabetes. My question to anyone reading this is: which is the most accurate blood sugar monitor system? There is so much conflicting information on the internet, that I'm really confused as to which one to buy. Any help would be appreciated TIA
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On and up, or maybe down
- Thread starter JeffT
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nonethewiser
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Accu Chek are excellent bg meters, always own preference over other makes but think all brands are pretty much accurate so nowt much in it if honest.
Bruce Stephens
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Talk to your GP or nurse. There are alternatives to metformin, some of which may work better for you. (Slow release metformin, if that's not what you were given, is one obvious next thing to try.)
For the test strip meters, they're all more or less equivalent in accuracy. (I'm sure they vary a bit, but all that are sold in the UK are of acceptable accuracy.)
So you're looking for other factors. How big is it, can it connect to your phone or computer for recording results, etc., and the biggest factor: how much do the test strips cost?
There are also continuous monitoring devices such as the FreeStyle Libre 2 (there are others). I doubt you'd find something like that good value.
(And the evidence, such that it is, on using test strips suggests you get most value in the first few months after diagnosis. That's presuming you stay on diet and metformin (or something not too much more than metformin).)
Leadinglights
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Welccome to the forum, It is the cost of the strips which can be a factor as some are very expensive and if that deters you from testing then look for a monitor with the cheapest test strips which is either the GlucoNavii or Spirtit TEE2 available on line.
Alongside medication changes to diet are also needed. Many find a low carbohydrate approach successful and this link may point you in the right direction for finding a way of modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Low carb is suggested as less that 130g total carbs not just 'sugar'
As far as the metformin is concerned for some it does cause stomach issues and if it is not the slow release version you should ask to try that. Taking with food is supposed to be easier to tolerate.
Alongside medication changes to diet are also needed. Many find a low carbohydrate approach successful and this link may point you in the right direction for finding a way of modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Low carb is suggested as less that 130g total carbs not just 'sugar'
As far as the metformin is concerned for some it does cause stomach issues and if it is not the slow release version you should ask to try that. Taking with food is supposed to be easier to tolerate.
Hi, and thanks for your quick reply. The medicine that I'm currently taking is Slow release metformin and it really disagrees with me, The doctors I see are very unresponsive, and take weeks to book appointments, and when they do, they make huge mistakes and I would feel more confident taking control of my diabetes, I just need to know which monitors are the most popular/reliable/accurate and economical to use ie price of test cards and finger prickers. ( Not up to speed with the terminology yet)
Bruce Stephens
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NICE has some recommendations for alternatives, 1.7.10 onwards of https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28/chapter/Recommendations#first-line-drug-treatment
Your GP really should be able to handle that (or refer you to someone who can) since not tolerating metformin isn't that unusual.
harbottle
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I use a Contour Next One which is apparently very accurate, far more than the ISO standard. However, the strips are a lot more expensive than other brands.
I also use a Contour Blue - test strips are cheaper (Half the price of the Next One), and it connects to my phone via bluetooth along with the Next One and uploads results to a web portal.
I also use a Contour Blue - test strips are cheaper (Half the price of the Next One), and it connects to my phone via bluetooth along with the Next One and uploads results to a web portal.
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Welcome to the forum @JeffT
It's the test strips which make up the ongoing and most significant cost. For those in the forum who self fund BG meters, 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. Some other brands can be £25 for a pot!
Onwards and downwards!
It's the test strips which make up the ongoing and most significant cost. For those in the forum who self fund BG meters, 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. Some other brands can be £25 for a pot!
Onwards and downwards!
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