No benefit of self-testing for type 2

[Administrator]

http://bit.ly/5E4oym

I think the community here might beg to differ...

[cugila]

Here is a link to the full text of the article.
http://www.iqwig.de/index.991.en.html

A short extract:
Contrary to the widely-held belief, there is no proof that non-insulin-dependent patients with type 2 diabetes benefit from glucose self-monitoring. Moreover, it remains unclear whether an additional benefit is displayed by the blood test compared to the urine test or vice versa, in other words, whether one or other of the tests might offer an advantage to patients. The current data are quantitatively and qualitatively inadequate: the few trials that are suitable for investigating these questions have not included or have insufficiently reported many outcomes important to patients. Owing to their short duration, it is also not possible to draw any conclusions on the long-term benefit of glucose self-monitoring. This is the conclusion of the final report of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), published on 14 December 2009.

[kentishman]

I am a long time T2. recently, alarmed at the readings I went onto a strict diet. This has had the efect of stabalising my readings. If I did not test I would not have the faintest idea of how I was going. Furthermore, having had two hypos at night I need to test before I sleep.
I imagine many of these people are not Diabetics.

[cugila]

Too flaming right. Here is one of the little gems in this report:

[quote] Blood glucose self-monitoring provides a snapshot of the blood glucose level. Depending on the measured value, patients can then take appropriate measures, for example, by eating something. However, blood glucose self-monitoring is not suitable for determining the quality of metabolic control. The HbA1c value is used for this. It is an indicator for long-term blood glucose control and serves as the "memory” for the blood glucose level. High HbA1c values in diabetes indicate poor metabolic control. /quote]

HbA1c is rightly as they say an indicator, shows a trend. For anybody to rely on that on it's own as a measure of control is sheer folly ! It does not show any peaks (Hyper's) or troughs (Hypo's), the true indicator of control is frequent daily testing.

Has any of these so called ' experts' ever thought that the reason for poor metabolic control is because many Diabetic's are denied the opportunty to test frequently to get good control by some
of the very same 'experts' who came up with this little bit of rubbish ! It is from Germany,
however the same thinking seems to be prevalent in some circles here too.

What a load of b...............

[goji]

I wonder if as a community, we couldn't start raising funds to conduct our own trial into the efficacy of self-testing for type 2s?

My thyroid group were sick of the medical mythologies promulgated by the NHS so they spent a year raising cash and are now in the process of conducting their own experiment which will be written up for publication by an interested doctor.

We could do a much better experiment that would involve an educational intervention that would tell people how to respond to their readings.

[Patch]

Telling a Type 2 Diabetic not to measure his/her BG is like telling an overweight person not to weigh themselves...

Ignorance is NOT bliss.

[Annjay]

When diagnosed with 'on the cusp' Type 2 in July 2009, I was prescribed Metformin 500mg. I asked about self-testing and was told airily, oh that's not necessary at all, which I thought was odd. Two weeks later, after spending that time feeling unusually faint and close to passing out, I decided I would halve the Metformin pills as I was sure they were responsible and doing more harm than good. I felt so much better within the next 24 hours and continued to feel fine. My theory is that the NHS has decided it is too expensive to encourage us to monitor our blood sugar levels.

I do think it's unfair to discourage patients who want to be proactive in taking care of their health.

Cheers - Ann

Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching - Jim Stovall

[goji]

Telling a Type 2 Diabetic not to measure his/her BG is like telling an overweight person not to weigh themselves...

Ignorance is NOT bliss.

Totally agree! I was told by a nurse the other week not to measure my blood pressure at home as 'home testing can cause patients to get worried"!!!

I can't stand that NHS mentality that thinks the HCP 'knows best' and the silly patient shouldn't worry their little head about things. It's only through testing that we can chart patterns, identify problems and get accurate treatments!

On the one hand HCPs like to label diabetics who aren't in control as non-compliant but when HCPs are faced with diabetics who are motivated to self-monitor and take responsibility, they tell us not to worry ourselves. You can't win!

[mogsta22]

Totally agree! I was told by a nurse the other week not to measure my blood pressure at home as 'home testing can cause patients to get worried"!!!

I can't stand that NHS mentality that thinks the HCP 'knows best' and the silly patient shouldn't worry their little head about things. It's only through testing that we can chart patterns, identify problems and get accurate treatments!

I NEED to know things. If I don't have the info then I get worried. If I have the info I can make a decision myself.

[lindas]

Sounds just like my experience to date. The medics don't even want to discuss it and treat the patient as if we are unable to make informed choices. I tabled the option of self testing with my practice nurse who dismissed it and said - that's only needed for Type 1 diabetics. Anyone any tips?

[cugila]

http://bit.ly/5E4oym

I think the community here might beg to differ...

[cugila]

Here is a link to the full text of the article.
http://www.iqwig.de/index.991.en.html

A short extract:
Contrary to the widely-held belief, there is no proof that non-insulin-dependent patients with type 2 diabetes benefit from glucose self-monitoring. Moreover, it remains unclear whether an additional benefit is displayed by the blood test compared to the urine test or vice versa, in other words, whether one or other of the tests might offer an advantage to patients. The current data are quantitatively and qualitatively inadequate: the few trials that are suitable for investigating these questions have not included or have insufficiently reported many outcomes important to patients. Owing to their short duration, it is also not possible to draw any conclusions on the long-term benefit of glucose self-monitoring. This is the conclusion of the final report of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), published on 14 December 2009.

[Garfield]

I believe the people that have produced this report are obviously not T2 diabetics and if they are they are still talking through their rear orifice (and that is putting it politely). T2's keep up the good work and testing, it's your body you are looking after.

[kentishman]

Different foods affect people in different ways. Only by continual testing can a T2 tell what foods can be tolerated and also in what amounts. Also if any exercise is taken what effect that will have on the BG. Economically it is a short term measure. Diabetic complications can cause the NHS a great deal of money.Would it not be better to allow a T2 some strips rather to have to treat Retinopathy or heart disease?

[makram1]

Hi everyone and a very Happy New Year to you all.
A few very relevant words to add here. Anyone who is not a diabetic would not have a clue what a disease a diabetic suffers in and how to check and maintain his/her general well being and also the level of BG.
Without keeping a close check or monitoring the blood sugar there are many complications and only a patient can tell not the others who got no clue of this problem.
Regular checking is absolutely essential and anyone who says its not can be called a person without any knowledge or concern with this problem. Its easy to say but not very wise.
A diabetic knows more about his/her body and its responses and can adjust the food intake and also the dose of Insulin or tablets.
Diabetes is a very dangerous disease and lucky enough there are some treatments available to-day and credit goes to researchers who were able to bring drugs and injections to the patients.
REGULAR BLOOD SUGAR CHECKING IS INDISPENSABLE.