Recently diagnosed with type 2.

[Tinamaan76]

Hi there. I’m 45 year old and was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was put on metformin.

I have made changes loosing weight walk a lot up to 4 mile a day. Following slimming world but cut down on carbs.

Doc had said my blood levels were too high. In the 100s she said.

I don’t have a blood machine. Will I need it ?

 

[Resurgam]

It would probably help you to be sure that you are eating right if you have a meter, and also to check that you are improving with exercise etc. but also that you are not pushing down levels too much.

 

[Pipp]

Yes, @Tinamaan76 , a meter is a very useful tool to check how what you are eating is affecting your blood glucose levels. Test on waking, before meals and around 2 hours after. Record the results and what you have eaten. After a week or two you will see patterns emerging.
You have made a good start, in losing weight and reducing carbs.
meters and test strips are seldom prescribed on NHS to people with T2, though some manufacturers give free meters, the test strips for them can be expensive..


The following information regarding self funded meters in UK has been provided by @Rachox

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for the Tee2 + found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/ with the strips found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/


Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:


Phone number 0800 8815423



With more expensive strips is the Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual


Home Health have recently bought out this one, but I haven’t heard any reviews yet, links to strips and the meter:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/


https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free from Home Health which has the cheapest strips available if bought in quantities of 5 or 10 pots with the codes below. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go, just bear in mind it seems they are replacing it with the Navii, details above.


http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)

 

[VashtiB]

Hello and welcome,

I will echo those previous posters that a meter will be a very helpful tool.

You see we are all different in relation to how many carbs our body can tolerate. Also many find that some types of carbs (for example bread or potatoes) punch above their weight so to speak and some can't tolerate the sane number of carbs in them as in something else.

The meter has no biases. It will tell you the effect your meal had on your levels. This makes it easier to make decisions which will lower your levels. As @Pipp said test before a meal and then 2 hours after the first bite. If the increase is more than 2 we don't recommend it. That means the meal was too high in carbs for your body.

The 3 monthly HbA1c only gives an average and if it is high doesn't tell you which meals made the most difference.

Your health is so important. You've been given some great information about meters so arrange top get one and learn what your meter tells you about the level of carbs your body can tolerate.

Good luck and welcome.

 

[muzza3]

Hi and Welcome @Tinamaan76

This is a great place to educate yourself on Diabetes from the collective experience of the posters and and feel free to post any questions you have as you move thru your journey

I don’t have a blood machine. Will I need it ?

I agree with all the posters above that a meter is essential as it gives you control

Good Luck

 

[Tinamaan76]

Thank you everyone for all the info x

 

[Tinamaan76]

Thank you so much. I’m trying to obtain my latests readings from the nurse.Can someone please show me or send a chart what normal readings should be?

 

[Pipp]

Thank you so much. I’m trying to obtain my latests readings from the nurse.Can someone please show me or send a chart what normal readings should be?

Hope this helps
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html