Blood Monitor

[tinka21]

Have decided to buy a blood monitor.
Codefree Blood Glucose Monitor

One has got the reading mg/dL
the other has mmol/L

has it got something to do with the readings, wanting something simple to use and understand. cheers

 

[satindoll]

Hi tinks21 you need the mmol/L meter, it is simple to use and should help you get an idea of how you react to your food,

 

[Lazybones]

Here in the UK we commonly use the mmol/L range settings where as in America the preference is for the reading to be measured in mmol/dL the reading appears vastly different but are actually the same thing expressed in two separate ways. Just think of temperature it can be measured in either centigrade or Fahrenheit.
There is a simple mathematical conversion that changes one range to the other, but if you are living here in the UK then go for the mmol/L blood/glucose meter..

 

[tinka21]

Am I correct in thinking that if I take a reading before a meal then a reading 2 hours after and the reading stays in the safe zone so to speak in the future would I be able to eat that meal knowing that I'd be ok.

 

[Daks]

Am I correct in thinking that if I take a reading before a meal then a reading 2 hours after and the reading stays in the safe zone so to speak in the future would I be able to eat that meal knowing that I'd be ok.

That's pretty much how it works tinka, although I would still test the same meal again sometimes readings differ , just keep on monitoring, the more fine tuned you are the better control you'll have. Some folks test at 1 hour and at 2 hours.

Personally I test first thing when I wake, then pre and post 1h & 2h each meal x 3, so I'm testing about 10 times a day, but I'm new and a bit obsessed with it.

I would also recommend testing in-between if you feel off.

 

[urbanracer]

Am I correct in thinking that if I take a reading before a meal then a reading 2 hours after and the reading stays in the safe zone so to speak in the future would I be able to eat that meal knowing that I'd be ok.

.......and don't forget that activity, even just walking around, will change the readings. So the same food will in theory supply the same amount of energy but if you use it up by running or doing house work your BG levels will change at different rates.

 

[tinka21]

Blood monitors arrived, took first reading...
15.9

 

[Daks]

Blood monitors arrived, took first reading...
15.9

A bit high, what was for breakfast / lunch ?

 

[tinka21]

Couple a cups of tea and a bacon sandwich (2 slices of brown bread) What readings should i be looking for.cheers

 

[Daks]

Couple a cups of tea and a bacon sandwich (2 slices of brown bread) What readings should i be looking for.cheers

Usually somewhere between 4mmol/l and 8.5mmol/l

Maybe the bread has pushed your levels up a little, here is a link to help you better understand readings:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

here is another helpful dietary link:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diet/low-carb-high-fat-diet.html

 

[tinka21]

Yep it is slightly high, missus said i wasnt doing it right, had another go...12.7

 

[tinka21]

How often should i be checking my BG, is it before and after breakfast,dinner and tea. cheers

 

[Daks]

as soon as you wake, pre and post each meal, usually 2 hours after.

 

[tinka21]

Cheers, will give it a go before tea.

 

[cyclist]

Refer to the guidelines @daisy1 gave you in the Alcohol thread
This will give you ranges to aspire to (and try to keep within)

My reading on diagnosis was 16.1 and now I'm getting 5.1's
I follow LCHF and have found that weight loss have dramatically improved my readings
As I drop weight, so do my readings

 

[tinka21]

Want my readings down but don't want the weight loss.