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NHS Direct doctor says... NO testing when taking Metformin
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<blockquote data-quote="ButtterflyLady" data-source="post: 915524" data-attributes="member: 43498"><p>I am T2 and have always had a meter and test strips, in NZ GPs give them out to all T2 diabetics so they can learn about the illness and in case they need to check while they are sick, eg tummy flu. We are allowed a box of test strips free per month. I certainly agree with testing up to 8 times a day for as long as needed, to learn what to eat and not eat. In my case this was a few months.</p><p></p><p>I don't agree that paying for every T2 diabetic to have 8 or more free test strips a day forever is necessarily a good use of public health money. Theoretically, as long as the person knew what to eat to keep their diabetes under control, then regular blood tests ordered by the doctor and occasional home testing should be enough testing to manage the risk of complications. If a large number of test strips were made free for everyone, that would cost a lot of money, that would not be available for specialist appointments, insulin, tablets, GP visits, etc. Both extremes are bad - no free test strips, or free test strips for everyone. Drawing the line somewhere in between is more rational.</p><p></p><p>I tested a lot when I was first learning about diabetes. Now that my HbA1c sits around the high 30s/low 40s I just don't need to test every day. I'm bored with the results, I'm not interested in constantly finding out that my BGs are fairly normal. It doesn't add value. But it's good to have a few test strips there in case I want to know for some reason.</p><p></p><p>I fully agree that when a doctor or nurse tells someone they should not ever test, that is rubbish, and harmful advice. It's also not what the NICE guidelines actually say.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ButtterflyLady, post: 915524, member: 43498"] I am T2 and have always had a meter and test strips, in NZ GPs give them out to all T2 diabetics so they can learn about the illness and in case they need to check while they are sick, eg tummy flu. We are allowed a box of test strips free per month. I certainly agree with testing up to 8 times a day for as long as needed, to learn what to eat and not eat. In my case this was a few months. I don't agree that paying for every T2 diabetic to have 8 or more free test strips a day forever is necessarily a good use of public health money. Theoretically, as long as the person knew what to eat to keep their diabetes under control, then regular blood tests ordered by the doctor and occasional home testing should be enough testing to manage the risk of complications. If a large number of test strips were made free for everyone, that would cost a lot of money, that would not be available for specialist appointments, insulin, tablets, GP visits, etc. Both extremes are bad - no free test strips, or free test strips for everyone. Drawing the line somewhere in between is more rational. I tested a lot when I was first learning about diabetes. Now that my HbA1c sits around the high 30s/low 40s I just don't need to test every day. I'm bored with the results, I'm not interested in constantly finding out that my BGs are fairly normal. It doesn't add value. But it's good to have a few test strips there in case I want to know for some reason. I fully agree that when a doctor or nurse tells someone they should not ever test, that is rubbish, and harmful advice. It's also not what the NICE guidelines actually say. [/QUOTE]
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