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Type 2 Should I test?

crazyfrog

crazyfrog

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Just been to the doctor as I was worried about rising levels and high 'spikes' each day, there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. The doctor said they don't recommend testing, just to rely on the HbA1c. This seems a bit drastic to me as my doctor only does the HbA1c every 6 to 12 months. My question is am I overreacting and should I stop the testing? Thanks in advance for any help offered.
 
No, you are not over-reacting. You should test, but don't be obsessive about it. You may need to buy your own meter (the SD Codefree is low-cost). This will help show you what foods affect you most and for the small number of mis-diagnosed LADAs it helps them avoid an emergency visit to A&E like my nephew when their blood sugar rockets up.
 
Daibell said:
No, you are not over-reacting. You should test, but don't be obsessive about it. You may need to buy your own meter (the SD Codefree is low-cost). This will help show you what foods affect you most and for the small number of mis-diagnosed LADAs it helps them avoid an emergency visit to A&E like my nephew when their blood sugar rockets up.
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Thank you, that is good advice
 
No - testing is the only way you can find out what foods are causing the worst spikes, so that you can avoid them or reduce the size of your portions. So it may be worth testing more often - immediately before and two hours after each meal to see what's going on. If you're eating high carb food (bread, cereals, etc) and possibly test after an hour as well for a while. Once you've got levels under better control you can then think about testing less often.

You definitely need to know how your glucose levels are actually behaving at the time, not what your average levels are over several months. Twelve months later is not going to be any help if you don't find out until then that you are not managing them too well.:(

Robbity
 
crazyfrog said:
Just been to the doctor as I was worried about rising levels and high 'spikes' each day, there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. The doctor said they don't recommend testing, just to rely on the HbA1c. .
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Does he also say "Don't use your speedometer, rely on the time it takes you to make your journey?"
Yes, test to find how your body is responding. (I found that my body was dealing with my BG rises well within the +2 hr point : OGTT was back @ fasting at 2hr, so tried testing at +1hr to trap the "spikes")
 
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Robbity said:
No - testing is the only way you can find out what foods are causing the worst spikes, so that you can avoid them or reduce the size of your portions. So it may be worth testing more often - immediately before and two hours after each meal to see what's going on. If you're eating high carb food (bread, cereals, etc) and possibly test after an hour as well for a while. Once you've got levels under better control you can then think about testing less often.

You definitely need to know how your glucose levels are actually behaving at the time, not what your average levels are over several months. Twelve months later is not going to be any help if you don't find out until then that you are not managing them too well.:(

Robbity
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Thank you, that seems really sensible to me, may need to find another doctor!
 
Hi Crazyfrog, most doctors of T2s on medication will tell you not to test too rigorously as the medication is supposed to control it. However, you definitely need to test to some degree to work out which foods make you spike.

Having said that, I was unwell some months back with a chest infection - it sent my bloods soaring and took a very long time to come down. I kept testing and getting more and more anxious as they were so high. Doctor told me to lay off testing as it was stressing me out! The problem is that almost anything can spike your bloods (stress, illness etc), even when you think you are being good.

So, my advice is, definitely test but don't get too hung up on it. Hope this helps and welcome to the forum! :)
 
Catlady19 said:
Hi Crazyfrog, most doctors of T2s on medication will tell you not to test too rigorously as the medication is supposed to control it. However, you definitely need to test to some degree to work out which foods make you spike.

Having said that, I was unwell some months back with a chest infection - it sent my bloods soaring and took a very long time to come down. I kept testing and getting more and more anxious as they were so high. Doctor told me to lay off testing as it was stressing me out! The problem is that almost anything can spike your bloods (stress, illness etc), even when you think you are being good.

So, my advice is, definitely test but don't get too hung up on it. Hope this helps and welcome to the forum! :)
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Thank you for your advice, I wasn't aware that stress and other illness could have such an impact, definitely something to watch.
 
crazyfrog said:
First thing when I get up, 2 hours after breakfast, before and 2 hours after evening meal - is that too much?
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As the others have said, its your dis ease, the doctor doesn't have to live with it, you test to see if what you eat is affecting you.
 
crazyfrog said:
Just been to the doctor as I was worried about rising levels and high 'spikes' each day, there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. The doctor said they don't recommend testing, just to rely on the HbA1c. This seems a bit drastic to me as my doctor only does the HbA1c every 6 to 12 months. My question is am I overreacting and should I stop the testing? Thanks in advance for any help offered.
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Hi, my doctor also told me not to test, but this is only because the strips are expensive.
After speaking no to him he agreed, and hasn't raised the subject since.
 
Having Type 1 for 48 years I test 4 or 5 times daily. That is why I am healthy because I know how to look after myself. Learnt at a very early age of 6 that you can live with Type 1 Diabetes as long as you do everything in moderation. I am 54 years old and I think I am 20. Have 2 reviews and HBA1C's yearly 1 in Hospital with Consultant and 1 at GP's. With Type 1 you can adjust your insulin accordingly.
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply, your comment gives me confidence I can sort this, thank you
 
I need. A jargon buster, haven't got a clue what most people are talking about with abbreviations.
 
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