Should you not test every day or even at all if you’re aT2?

[lucylocket61]

Besides the undoubtedly good advice on testing before eating and two hours after, would the experts among you also advocate testing after one hour to try to measure a spike at its highest amplitude? I am asking only in the context of those of us relying on simple finger-prick glucometers.

I don't bother. I found it of little use as different foods spike me at different times. I am on a low income and self funding, so I test when I need to.

 

[chrisjohnh]

I don't bother. I found it of little use as different foods spike me at different times. I am on a low income and self funding, so I test when I need to.

I think I’m too much of a worrier.

 

[lucylocket61]

I think I’m too much of a worrier.

I go with the flow, do my best, and get on with life. In my decade at this I have learnt that trying to regulate my blood glucose levels only works up to a point, and worry raises blood sugar levels. Our bodies are not machines. There are too many variables to cover all bases all of the time. For me, reducing my carbs to a level safe for me, as much as possible, is my main control. It works for me.

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

I was told this morning by GP that I shouldn’t be testing and recording my meals and I should just take it easy ‍ What do you think?

Getting back to what the OP asked, I test before and after meals so three meals a day is six times a day.

It helped to get me back below the borderline with a hba1c of 5.6% / 38 mmol/mol.

 

[MrsA2]

Each to his own, due diligence is called for.

Talking re T2s only...
Each of us has to find a way that is best for us as individuals.
While testing can and does provide information, some may find they get too obsessed with it and it starts ruling their lives (which is very different to it being an aid to controlling bg)
If it can be an easy and natural part of one's life and routines, all well and good.
But, once the initial lessons of what spikes and what doesn't, have been learnt, then for some they may not want or need to carry on testing too often for them.
Me, I'm happy with once a day (in normal times), it fits with my routine, I glance at it and then carry on with the rest of my day.
I could move to once a week, or a month, or even irregularly , but I like that casual daily check. However if it starts to rule my life in any level that I'm not comfortable with then I would review the situation.
There are people who may not have that level of self understanding and/or for whom it brings negative emotions and reactions. If they can keep their bg under control without testing then let them be.
It's only a tool.

 

[Kiwigal]

I test my glucose 8 times a day, extra more if driving or unwell.

As my doctor ticked medication affecting blood glucose for getting 6 monthly glucose strips NDSS form for Type 2 Diabetes in Australia.

 

[KennyA]

Current pattern for me is to do the occasional morning test, and before and at +2 hrs for new foods or food combinations. I'm probably testing around 90% less than I used to.

First couple of years after diagnosis I tested before and at +2 hrs for all food, plus mornings and at various times during the day. I kept a food diary and logged what I ate. I don't do that so much now, because based on the collected information I can generally predict where my blood levels will be.

 

[Lobsang Tsultim]

I think you know yourself whether testing or not testing is more stressful. If you are finding testing particularly stressful, worrying about every single reading, then your doctor's advice might be useful. But, for myself, I like to know what's going on. I like to know what my individual response to different foods is. There is an old adage: knowledge is power. The knowledge I get from my meter gives me the power to change the outcome of this disease.

 

[MrsA2]

I test my glucose levels twice a day, morning and evening, I will do another test if the reading is higher than I’d like. I was diagnosed June 21’ and it was a total shock, no symptoms, just went confused and got taken to A&E. I was told this morning by GP that I shouldn’t be testing and recording my meals and I should just take it easy ‍ What do you think?

Reading back over this thread seems no one has actually said it depends if your bg is low and under control in which case testing not necessary only optional, but if you are still struggling with bg then testing food is probably still a good idea

 

[lucylocket61]

Reading back over this thread seems no one has actually said it depends if your bg is low and under control in which case testing not necessary only optional, but if you are still struggling with bg then testing food is probably still a good idea

I would still recommend testing for a few days a month, no matter how much control someone appears to have. It's wise, in my experience, to make sure nothing has changed, and keep on top of this condition.

 

[AshrafUM920]

Since i am on blood sugar lowering drugs like Gliclazide and Trulicity.. i tend to check several times a day. My pharmacy only give me a box of 50 and the rest i self-fund..

 

[Cellogirl45]

There is no point in random testing. Test before and two hours after a meal to check the rise is not more than 2 points, then you know if a meal is sufficiently low carb for you to eat safety.

on extremely low carbs my bs rises by about 5 or 6,,, 30 g carbs is my absolute maximum, lower if possible. Exercising hard...

 

[fitzroyp]

Angela64. I think testing twice a per day, even three times per day is in order, although I am not a diabetic specialist. But I had diabetes since 1985.
In my view the main way to manage your glucose levels it to monitor it. You monitor your glucose by testing. Then you can make decisions on the basis of the results. In many cases you have to do nothing all, but you have that piece of mind that your glucose level is alright. When you are sure your glucose level is stable you can reduce the number of tests per day. Even something like three times per week.
Angela with diabetes there is a steep learning curve. Read a lot on the subject and follow research on the subject.
In my view exercise plays a major role in the management diabetes. But I am afraid that exercise is not promoted as such. Although, I noticed that exercise is given a more prominent role now a days in the control glucose levels. This is long over-due.
The main methods I used to manager my glucose levels: Medication, diet, and exercise, exercise and exercise. Some diabetics use fasting. There may be other methods around.

 

[lucylocket61]

In my view exercise plays a major role in the management

I have ME. I do zero exercise. Carb counting and reduction plays the major role in treating and controlling my type 2 diabetes. Exercise, if you can do, helps overall health, but is not a major factor.

After more than a decade of type 2 diabetes I continue to maintain good control, with no medication, by tailoring my carb intake to my meter readings and results.

 

[chrisjohnh]

I have ME. I do zero exercise. Carb counting and reduction plays the major role in treating and controlling my type 2 diabetes. Exercise, if you can do, helps overall health, but is not a major factor.

After more than a decade of type 2 diabetes I continue to maintain good control, with no medication, by tailoring my carb intake to my meter readings and results.

My one regret with testing, at least by glucometer and strips, is that it is so infernally inaccurate. Is it 5.2 as it says? Or actually 4.5? Or 5.9? I wish the technology could get down to accuracy of 5% not 15%. Of course if it says 5.2 then we can be pretty sure it’s not 8, so it gives us something. Well this is old hat, just my mini-grumble. Should be grateful we have this much, of course.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

My one regret with testing, at least by glucometer and strips, is that it is so infernally inaccurate. Is it 5.2 as it says? Or actually 4.5? Or 5.9? I wish the technology could get down to accuracy of 5% not 15%. Of course if it says 5.2 then we can be pretty sure it’s not 8, so it gives us something. Well this is old hat, just my mini-grumble. Should be grateful we have this much, of course.

Why do you need such accuracy?
When there are so many things that can affect our blood sugars in addition to food, I am happy with 15% accuracy … and I use it to calculate my insulin dose which is a potentially lethal medication.

 

[lucylocket61]

My one regret with testing, at least by glucometer and strips, is that it is so infernally inaccurate. Is it 5.2 as it says? Or actually 4.5? Or 5.9? I wish the technology could get down to accuracy of 5% not 15%. Of course if it says 5.2 then we can be pretty sure it’s not 8, so it gives us something. Well this is old hat, just my mini-grumble. Should be grateful we have this much, of course.

The important thing is the difference before and after meals. It's not an exact science. Trends are important, exact figures to the tenth of a point are not.

I have used the same model of meter for over 10 years. I know roughly how it records my figures. So I can judge trends. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Type 2 diabetes, whether in remission or not, will be with me for the rest of my life.

Stress raises my blood sugar levels. I have learned to be ok with reasonably accurate figures to work from.

 

[chrisjohnh]

Why do you need such accuracy?
When there are so many things that can affect our blood sugars in addition to food, I am happy with 15% accuracy … and I use it to calculate my insulin dose which is a potentially lethal medication.

People often make the analogy of not wanting to drive without a speedometer but I doubt they’d settle for one with 15% accuracy! And I did say I’d settle for 5%, not exact …

 

[Deleted member 489048]

I test after waking up. After breakfast. After lunch and before tea and after tea. I did do it occasionally but since my BG has been 'out of control' and been put on meds (not insulin) then think I need to do this. When I get a balance then I may go back to testing occasionally.

 

[lucylocket61]

People often make the analogy of not wanting to drive without a speedometer but I doubt they’d settle for one with 15% accuracy!

Seriously, what do you want? What reassurance is enough? Our blood sugar levels fluctuate constantly, we can help control some parts of this condition by what we eat and drink.

Monitoring these blood sugar levels is not the same as monitoring the speed of a car. It's just the nearest example we can come up with. A tenth of a point error margin in a meter doesn't have the same potential consequences as driving a car.

I understand you want certainty but some leeway of its unpredictability is essential with managing this condition without raising stress levels.