Urine test strips

[ianbilly]

Sorry if this has been done before, can anyone tell me if urine strips will be of any use. Until I go back to the doctors in January for new blood tests he advised me not to buy a meter and blood tests kit. I'm not on any meds either, just diet control. Does this mean i'm borderline ? I'd still like to check and wondered if urine strips might help at all?

 

[trophywench]

Not really Ian - glucose doesn't even register in your pee until it's already reached 11. FAR too high for comfort, or to be useful. Much better to invest in the meter and strips already recommended cos it's a reasonable meter and it's the cheapest when you have to pay yourself.

 

[Lilian]

I am wondering if there is any reason why they cannot be manufactured to start at say 6 instead of 10. If that could be done that would be a quick, easy and less expensive way of testing newly diagnosed type 2's.

Another thing I am thinking is that one is a urine test the other a blood test. Would the concentrate of glucose be higher in the urine than in the blood, the same, or vice versa?

If say the BG is 6 but the concentrate in urine for that is 10 then the strips would be roughly right.

 

[Ljc]

Sorry if this has been done before, can anyone tell me if urine strips will be of any use. Until I go back to the doctors in January for new blood tests he advised me not to buy a meter and blood tests kit. I'm not on any meds either, just diet control. Does this mean i'm borderline ? I'd still like to check and wondered if urine strips might help at all?

Hi. Unless you're put on meds that can cause hypo's most gp practices don't prescribe test strips. As the urine test strips don't react till you go into double figures and also lag quite a way behind a blood finger prick , imo I wouldn't bother with them.
If you're gp won't prescribe a meter and strips , go for the SD Codefree on Amazon.

 

[Robin]

I am wondering if there is any reason why they cannot be manufactured to start at say 6 instead of 10. If that could be done that would be a quick, easy and less expensive way of testing newly diagnosed type 2's.

Another thing I am thinking is that one is a urine test the other a blood test. Would the concentrate of glucose be higher in the urine than in the blood, the same, or vice versa?

If say the BG is 6 but the concentrate in urine for that is 10 then the strips would be roughly right.

I think the problem is that your body only starts excreting glucose in the urine when it's over 10 in your blood.

 

[Northerner]

I think the problem is that your body only starts excreting glucose in the urine when it's over 10 in your blood.

I was going to say the same thing, they are unlikely to show anything below 10, are notoriously difficult to 'read' anyway, and useless for discovering your tolerances for different foods

Really, it's worth investing in a meter of your own if your GP won't prescribe. Often, when a patient has self-funded, then gone back to to the GP with some results showing how the testing has helped them improve their diet and blood sugar levels, they are more prepared to support you by prescribing some strips. As mentioned before, the cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50 - a good investment in your health for years to come 🙂