Type 2 Blood Testing - told a waste of time by GP

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paulnicholls

paulnicholls

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I've been made to feel guilty, and, quite frankly, a bit of a knob for wanting to test my bloods. I've seen the other threads on here regarding this.

I haven't tested my blood for around a fortnight now. My GP was saying that it was a waste of time and he would only prescribe the first lot of strips on the understanding I would wean myself away from them. He explained it was pointless as the Metformin would take time to work.

I'm beginning to feel like a chump as I have absolutely no idea where I am at the moment. I'm not sure what foods are making me hyper (my problem is stupidly high counts).

I really envy the care that most of you seem to be getting from your GP. Mine just makes me feel like an imbecile when I see him. I'm thinking of changing practice as I'm really not happy. I'll go out and buy the blinking strips if the surgery is too mean to prescribe them.

Anyone else have the same problems?
 
I think the understanding is that if you aren't going to make any decisions based on the results, then there really is no point in testing. However if you're making dietary choices based on your results then there IS a point. I don't know where you live but in my borough (Greenwich) GPs have to give one pot of strips to type 2s per month if they require them. I would try and find out if there are any rules about that in your area.

In any case if you aren't happy, definitely see if you can find another practice. It's important that you feel confident with the care you're getting. Good luck 🙂
 
It does seem crazy that he has this attitude. Okay, he reckons that the Metformin take a while to get in your system, but how can you get any idea how well they are working? If you were able to test, lets say before every meal initially, at least you would have an indication (re food eaten) if its the right amounts portion food wise, and also dosage of medication. etc. My husband initially was prescribed Metformin, but he was expected to test his blood sugars to I assume give the doctor an idea what was happening. He was eventually sent to our hosptal Diabetic Clinicand has continued testing his BGs. It was only after being on Metformin quite some time, he was changed over to insulin. This could not have been sorted if the medics had no idea what was happening. Well I suppose they could tell by his HBA1C on reflection. Perhaps this is the plan of your doctor. Have you a diabetic clinic near you. because of course they have a greater understanding of the condition. My neighbour told me that his GPs surgery, had a "diabetic nurse" and she had given him alot of incorrect advice. It was not put right until he attended the diabetic clinic at our local hospital. It will all sort itself out, but I do understand your frustration.
 
I'm type 2 and I test, and my doctor even insisted I have tests strips and lancets. I live in Greenwich and most of the diabetic care I get is rubbish compared to what others get in the borough.

I test, OK metformin takes a while to work, but it gives me a better idea of what my dietry choices and physical activity are doing to my system.

It's your treatment, and if you don't take control of it, who will? With my GP I have to be persistent. It takes time to get exactly what you want, but worth it.

The whole reason behind testing is to keep track of how things are going, it is to help you stay healthy. I am told GPs get paid to look after diabetics. Perhaps there is another doctor in the practice who is more sympathetic? If not look round and think about changing.
 
That is terrible. I would make a formal complaint about this doctor using the surgery complaint procedure, then complain to your local Primary Care Trust - find it by going to the council website and searching or google '[name of council] primary care trust'.

I sympathise, my GPs are idiots too, I wouldn't let them take care of my diabetes. Is there a specialist diabetic clinic you could go to at the hospital, or is type 2 care always with the GP? I am sure I have seen type 2s at my clinic, but a lot on here seem to see their GP for diabetic care. I would not do this personally, GPs are not specialists and in my experience know very little about diabetes. One of mine did not know the difference between ketone and blood test strips!
 
I'm due my review (after I have had the nasty blood test) and am planning to ask for a meter so I can test as I have no idea what happens when I eat certain stuff, or exercise. I was diganosed in Sept last year, diet and exercise controlled at the moment but as I test using DIastix and haven't had a positive reading I am pretty much in the dark. I will let you know how I get on (in terms of getting a meter) and what I am entitled to in my borough. It may give you some indication of what to do in terms of your care.
 
It sounds like a health care lottery with some getting better treatment than others. I live in the borough of Greenwich. I have noticed the poorer the area the poorer the treatment. I wonder what would happen if we all became very rich?
 
Hi please dont be too concerned over testing. The meters (all types) are not very accurate anyway. I have tried many different ones (the free ones and the bought ones). You can do a test and get one result and do another test seconds later and get a completely different result and I dont just been a wee bit different.

I explained my findings to my gp (who specialises in diabetes) and to my diabetic care team at the hospital and they all said the same. That the monitors are to give a rough idea of your sugar level and are only any use if you are feeling a bit off due to very low sugars or very high and this is only really any use to those on insulin so they can alter their dose, not for us on metformin who take the same amount no matter what the result.

I have been told to take no notice of the results and only to test if I feel a bit "off" and think it could be due to extreme sugar levels, which i have never had in 8 years. The only true testing of our sugar is our blood tests that are done at the hospital when the blood is taken from the vein and not from our finger capillaries which can change from one second to the next.

Hope I've helped . As long as you get at least a yearly blood test done at the hospital they and you will be able to see if your metformin is working. It does take a long time to see any difference with metformin but this is a good thing as your level will change gradually rather than a sudden change which could result in a hypo because its to low to quick.
Debbs
 
redrose said:
I have been told to take no notice of the results

As long as you get at least a yearly blood test done at the hospital they and you will be able to see if your metformin is working.
Click to expand...

A year to find that you've been running very high without knowing it sounds terrible to me. I don't really like the stance your doctors are taking, i don't agree with it.

taking no notice of your results is a sure way to end up with complications. taking notice means you can make changes to improve your readings. it gives you the information to make informed choices.
 
I used to live in South London and my Primary Care Trust refused to pay for testing strips for Type 2. Having moved up here to North Wales I now get strips and have to say I find them invaluable to help guide my diet so I can get an idea of how much carbs I can eat.
 
I have no trouble with this so far. As someone stated two results within seconds can vary by quite a large amount.
However, overall regular testing has been extremely helpful. From the results over several months, it would seem that 80mg gliclazide pre breakfast often leads to about 3 mmols/L by 10:30/11:00 and thank goodness I recognise the light headed reaction.
I have a review in about three weeks and using the results will look at a split dose.
Pre bedtime readings tend to be at the top end of the post prandial target.
 
One of the main advantages of testing for me is I am able to make more informed food choices.

If I get a high reading (over 7) then I cut down on simple carbs and bulk things out with complex carbs. If I get a low reading (below 5) I can have a sweet pudding for afters. Sometimes if it is a long time before I am due to eat and get a reading of 5 or below I go in search of something sugary to tide me over.

Even if you only test once or twice a day, it help you get a feel of how things are going, and can help you make more informed choices. I know people who wont test at all.
 
I am new to this forum and have only been diagnosed type 2 for two years and am replying because there appears to be so many different facets here. In the first instance I would reccomend you change your doctor for blood testing is at the centre of personal control of type 2 diabetes. The reason for this is that type 2 diabetes is a progressive illness and it will get worse as the levels of insulin the body produces decreases. There is no other way to check how these levels are for you unless you test. As for a good blood test once a year - thats again not what I was told because ones levels change quite rapidly a HBA1C twice a year is standard proceedure. In my first year it took three months to get my levels settled. Once happy, I was told to check three or four times a week at various times. During the second year my sugar levels again erupred and have now just been placed on insulin and am testing six times a day and I can tell you the sugar levels are all over the place but have been told that the levels will settle when "we" get to a level of insulin that works. Testing, for me is the corner stone of good management and will continue to test which does give me fuller control and peace of mind.......James
 
i wouldnt stand for it at all. i would find a new doctor and also complain to the practice manager over the treatment. how can anyone be expected to take care of themselves and make sure their diabetes is controlled with stupid people like this around!!! makes my blood boil!!!!
 
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