Testing Kits

[Hev62]

Hello,
I noticed that people have commented that they test their blood sugar level. Are kits being provided by the Doctors? My son-in-law who was pre-diabetic was given one but I haven't been offered one. Should I ask? Is is common for Doctors to provide them?

 

[Ljc]

Hi Hev, Welcome to the forum. Sadly and wrongly in our opinion most T2s who are not on meds that can cause hypo's (low blood glucose) are provided with a glucose meter and/or enough testing strips, to enable us to see how various carbohydrates affect our blood glucose (BG) levels and so be able to take better control of our diabetes, and reduce the chances of complications later on.
So do ask for one, if told no do try to persuade them, as the NICE guideline was never meant to be a blanket ban.

There is one meter that many T2s buy ,it's a perfectly good meter that has has the cheapest test strips we know of, around £7 for 50 where other brands are £15-£30
The SD Codefree meter from Amazon or directly from Homehealth, we use the mmol/l measurement in the uk and your entitled to claim vat relief
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/

 

[RobK]

Hello,
I noticed that people have commented that they test their blood sugar level. Are kits being provided by the Doctors? My son-in-law who was pre-diabetic was given one but I haven't been offered one. Should I ask? Is is common for Doctors to provide them?

I'm not on meds but from the advice given by other T2's invested in the Codefree meter so I could see what foods were good and bad for me, Sadly this is self funded as the docs wont issue me one as I'm not on meds.

Rob

 

[Bubbsie]

Hello,
I noticed that people have commented that they test their blood sugar level. Are kits being provided by the Doctors? My son-in-law who was pre-diabetic was given one but I haven't been offered one. Should I ask? Is is common for Doctors to provide them?

As Ljc has said most GP's/ DSN's do not provide meters/testing strips for diabetics on anti-diabetic medication that does not pose a risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)...I would ask them to provide you with one...if refused...ask them why...usually we are given excuses...such as...no need you can rely on the quarterly HbA1c test...too emotional...you may become obsessive...those are just EXCUSES...I believe it's all about the cost...no consideration is given to the benefits for the patients...no doubt they will point to the NICE guidelines...which do not exclude T 2's on the basis they are not dependant on hypo inducing medication...the guidelines say 'do not routinely prescribe'...so there is room for discretion there... the local Clinical Commissioning Groups (those bodies which tell our GP practices what they can & can't prescribe) interpret this as a 'blanket' no...this is wrong...the CCG can be challenged on this refusal...I believe it's essential for all diabetics to test their blood regularly...see how what they eat affects their BG levels...what is suitable for one diabetic may not be suitable for another...how activity can help to reduce levels...I would ask your GP to prescribe you testing strips & a meter...if that request is declined...ask why...if the guidelines or CCG restrictions are quoted...they can be challenged...I have done exactly that...now my GP prescribes me testing strips (and supplied the meter)...if you need help get back to me...happy to help...so tired of seeing how shabbily we are treated...expected to manage/control our conditions...yet being denied the equipment we need to do exactly that...good luck.

 

[Northerner]

No motivated person should be denied access to testing, in my opinion. If your surgery are resistant it can help sometimes if you fund your own for a while and then go back to them to explain how it is helping you understand your diabetes better, and informs your food choices to improve your levels - often they will then agree to a prescription 🙂

Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to understand how you can test efficiently and effectively 🙂

 

[Pine Marten]

Hello,
I noticed that people have commented that they test their blood sugar level. Are kits being provided by the Doctors? My son-in-law who was pre-diabetic was given one but I haven't been offered one. Should I ask? Is is common for Doctors to provide them?

Hi Hev, I use the SD Codefree one mentioned above. My GP is very good in many ways but I never got given a meter as she says she is not allowed to give meters to type 2s 🙄 ....but actually when I bought one and started to use it (as advised on these forums) I began to find it very interesting to compare how different foods affected me. I'm not much of a cook but even I found it quite illuminating, and I started to read recipes!

I was taking Metformin until January last year, when my GP suggested stopping, as my levels were very good. At my 6-monthly review last week my HbA1c was down to 5.3, and my GP said I needn't see her any more as I was at a non-diabetic level, and just go to the yearly appointment with the nurse for foot checks etc - so you see it can be done! I don't test half as much now as I used to, and am determined to carry on and not fall into bad ways 😱.

Lots of people here have found that they have changed their life style as well as eating habits, and have become fitter and healthier than before. It can be a long slog at times, and of course nobody wants to be diabetic, but as we are stuck with it, a bit of determination is worth it in the end.

 

[khskel]

As @Martin Canty has stated health insurers in the USA pay for test kit for T2s because it makes sound commercial sense. The better control someone has the less likely they are to have (expensive) complications. Our NHS unfortunately takes the short term view.

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Ah, see, Ive been thinking about this.

Do Ktel make a kit ? One that says everything is fine even when you've had 8 pints of John Smiths, fish chips and peas and a large bowl of trifle ? Followed by some fags ??

Is it available on Amazon ? Do the NHS provide it ??

Bill.