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Do daily BG readings actually matter that much?

eastcoastphil

eastcoastphil

Active Member
Messages
31
Location
East Coast UK
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People obsessed with themselves and anyone who looks down at me. Take me as I am or go annoy someone else.
OK, firstly I should say that this thread is simply to discuss something that has been in my mind lately relating to my own condition, and hopefully no-one will take any offence as I realise we are all very different and will each be dealing with our Type 2 diabetes in a variety of ways.

So, I've spent some time on here now and one thing that is a constant theme are folks discussion their BG readings with each other. On another thread of mine said that I have been advised I don't have to test because, although I am on Metformin, I don't inject and my surgery seem more interested in dietary control etc.

Anyway, having set the scene, now to the point. I was initially concerned that by not testing I was somehow missing 'vital' information, or that I didn't have adequate control of my Type 2 as others seem to have on here. However I am now gradually considering that maybe I am fortunate in that I don't have daily concerns about my levels, and indeed am becoming more chilled out because of that especially when I see so many folks on here discussing them. I certainly am not taking any sort of moral high ground here, merely wondering if due to not testing I am having an easier ride than most?

I am controlling my diet very strictly now, I have cut out all added sugar, and taking more exercise and eating more fruit etc. Also gradually trying to reduce carb intake. So as long as my routine tests via the clinic are Ok with them, does it really matter that on a day to day level I have no idea what they are?

Just a question for other thoughts so please - no rants.
 
Personally, I prefer to know what is going on inside my body so that i can make adjustments if necessary. Metformin is not a magic bullet and it is possible to screw up your levels while taking it. I don't test as much now as I have a handle on which foods I tolerate well.

Most fruit, for example, contains a lot of sugar. Nature's sweeties. You say you have increased your fruit consumption, but how do you know if this is a good thing for you without testing? We are all different. Contrary to feeling more chilled by not testing, I would feel very unchilled if I had to go 3 months in the dark as damage could be done in that time. Just my tuppence worth based on my experience of improving my hba1c through a regime of testing :)
 
I don't test every day, but I do test when there is something I want to know and then I test every hour or in some cases every half hour until my bg is down to baseline.
 
Totto yours is the situation this thread is designed to compare with. Ok, my non-testing might not be ideal, but your situation would, for me at least, be an unbearable and unhealthy paranoia if I felt the need to test so often. Just my personal view, and each to their own of course.
 
It's what you are happy with. If there is no reason to test because of your annual tests, and you feel good. You could be happy not testing. However, when you get a reaction to your intake, surely it's better to know.
I went for a period of two years,without testing, simply because of my diet and how I felt.
 
eastcoastphil said:
OK, firstly I should say that this thread is simply to discuss something that has been in my mind lately relating to my own condition, and hopefully no-one will take any offence as I realise we are all very different and will each be dealing with our Type 2 diabetes in a variety of ways.

So, I've spent some time on here now and one thing that is a constant theme are folks discussion their BG readings with each other. On another thread of mine said that I have been advised I don't have to test because, although I am on Metformin, I don't inject and my surgery seem more interested in dietary control etc.

Anyway, having set the scene, now to the point. I was initially concerned that by not testing I was somehow missing 'vital' information, or that I didn't have adequate control of my Type 2 as others seem to have on here. However I am now gradually considering that maybe I am fortunate in that I don't have daily concerns about my levels, and indeed am becoming more chilled out because of that especially when I see so many folks on here discussing them. I certainly am not taking any sort of moral high ground here, merely wondering if due to not testing I am having an easier ride than most?

I am controlling my diet very strictly now, I have cut out all added sugar, and taking more exercise and eating more fruit etc. Also gradually trying to reduce carb intake. So as long as my routine tests via the clinic are Ok with them, does it really matter that on a day to day level I have no idea what they are?

Just a question for other thoughts so please - no rants.
Click to expand...

If your method is agreeable to you then that is all that matters.

What I would ask is if your next HBA1c is up then will you review your stance?
 
eastcoastphil said:
Totto yours is the situation this thread is designed to compare with. Ok, my non-testing might not be ideal, but your situation would, for me at least, be an unbearable and unhealthy paranoia if I felt the need to test so often. Just my personal view, and each to their own of course.
Click to expand...
Erm, paranoia? I call it research to build a knowledge base of what foods will keep eyes, heart and limb healthy in the long term. But I always was curious and scientifically inclined.
 
Each unto their own but I think it's not wise to rely on your hba1c test. The real reason your doc is telling you not to test is because he doesn't want to pay for your meter and strips. There are a number of people on this forum who followed their docs advice and have ended up being refused an operation because their bs was too high. I had a hypo about 3-4 weeks ago which was because I was on too much metformin. NHS sent the paramedic.
Re the diet, don't know if you need to lose weight but I manage mine through LCHF. It keeps my bs low and I don't need to weigh anything. I have lost 2 stone 4lbs since jan 28 and halved my bs. I wouldn't know if I didn't test. If I want to introduce something new then I test every 30 mins for 2 hours to see what the spike is. Good luck whatever you do to manage your diabetes!
 
Well, I do not feel I am paranoic. - In the beginning I tested a lot to kind of map and pinpoint which foods would raise my bg unduly. With unduly I mean within my own personal target range for where I wish my numbers to be. And our targets may be very different.

Now that I have found which foods will raise me, I will only test my fasting bg (and then also occasionally if I eat 'unknown' foods).

Daily numbers are not carved in stone whether high or low - they are only spot checks. What I am looking for is trends, and I will adjust diet accordingly. But if you have no target range or know what the numbers should be taken to mean, i.e with a view to adjusting your diet, I believe it is a waste of money and effort to measure.

annelise
 
If HbA1C alone were measured, you don't get the full picture. If your 3 monthly avg is 8 for example, this could actually mean lots of individual recordings of 5 and 11. That may be an extreme example but without daily testing, you would have no idea that you were continually running high.
 
eastcoastphil said:
I was initially concerned that by not testing I was somehow missing 'vital' information, or that I didn't have adequate control of my Type 2 as others seem to have on here. However I am now gradually considering that maybe I am fortunate in that I don't have daily concerns about my levels, and indeed am becoming more chilled out because of that especially when I see so many folks on here discussing them. I certainly am not taking any sort of moral high ground here, merely wondering if due to not testing I am having an easier ride than most?
Click to expand...

Each to their own, but in the months following my diagnosis of T2, without testing I'd have been totally in the dark about what was going on, following the changes in my lifestyle that I knew I had to make, and how much effect each change was having.

No-one would argue that's a sensible position to be in, so my question would be: If you've just started out and are feeling your way through all this, why wouldn't you test? If your position is stable and you're into a fixed lifestyle routine, then I'd agree that a regimen of daily tests isn't important.

Coming back to the newly diagnosed, the other main issue to me is one of morale. Sure, it takes a hit when your readings aren't going the way you want them to but if you are in a position to do something about it, and you do, improved results can certainly play a major part in keeping you motivated.
 
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I am type 2 diet controlled.
I did what I was told re eating healthy whole grain low fat diet etc when I was diagnosed. I work in healthcare and respect NICE /SIGN guidance.( please note the word guidance not policy ) and felt no better for the first few months.
I read a lot on here about reducing carbs and testing.
I tried it and its been life changing, honestly it has made my life so much better. I try to stick to below 120/150g carbs a day ( I am human) . Testing has helped me to understand the relationship between my blood sugar levels and symptoms. I don't test as often now because I avoid the foods that make my bs rise ( as I said I do go off the rails sometimes and suffer for it).
In summary I don't need to test as often now because I understand MY diabetes and I emphasise MY because we are all different. Lower carb , testing (I buy my own testing kit) and my iexercise bike are my tools for controlling my bs.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
In my opinion the national guidance and evidence base is wrong re diet aspect. please note it is just my opinion and I know a lot of health care staff etc disagree,

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
I agree, I certainly would'nt rely solely on the HbA1c test. I tested quite a bit when first diagnosed, but once you get to know what spikes your bg you don't need to test so much. I do test if I try something new, I don't think is being paranoid to test I think it is the most sensible thing to do if you want to manage your diabetes. Within 3 months I have my bg under control and feel great, if you go by what your doctor or dn says regarding testing you will in my opinion be setting yourself up for complications in the future.
 
eastcoastphil said:
my surgery seem more interested in dietary control


I am controlling my diet very strictly now, I have cut out all added sugar, and taking more exercise and eating more fruit etc. Also gradually trying to reduce carb intake. So as long as my routine tests via the clinic are Ok with them, does it really matter that on a day to day level I have no idea what they are?

Just a question for other thoughts so please - no rants.
Click to expand...

Doesn't dietary control go hand in hand with control of bg?

A diet may be controlled for many reasons. Control: fat levels; fibre; potassium; cholesterol; blood sugar

There are lots of conditions people battle with and many require some form of dietary control.

As a diabetic I control my diet by measuring the effect food has on my bg levels. Gradually I have reduced testing to times when I try a different food or I go out. Presently I am testing more because my medication has been altered.

Personally I would not want to risk waiting for the 3 monthly (or for many annual) HbA1c result. I'm in agreement with what many have said here.

However, I accept your point regarding 'paranoia'. I can get that way at times, but it all adds to the drama of the battle we share. I test because I want to face the beast and hit back. I don't want to go into battle without backup. My backup ? My meter and this forum. Each to their own though.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Mazzer said:
I agree, I certainly would'nt rely solely on the HbA1c test. I tested quite a bit when first diagnosed, but once you get to know what spikes your bg you don't need to test so much. I do test if I try something new, I don't think is being paranoid to test I think it is the most sensible thing to do if you want to manage your diabetes. Within 3 months I have my bg under control and feel great, if you go by what your doctor or dn says regarding testing you will in my opinion be setting yourself up for complications in the future.
Click to expand...

Exactly! The key to successful diabetes control is getting to know how your body responds on a daily basis to basic foodstuffs, and learning what and when to adjust in order to bring your BGs within an acceptable range. That should normally not take you more than 3 months, and if you are only on metformin then just testing occasionally after that, or when trying new dietary ideas, should be all that's necessary. Obviously it is different for those on other medication, or T1s, LADAs, etc. So I would urge the OP to test in the first 3 months precisely so that he doesn't need to test as much later on.
But as other posters have pointed out, the suggestion that testing is unnecessary and wrong and makes you paranoid, and that hba1c is all you need, is simply a very cynical attempt by surgeries to avoid paying for test strips, and nothing more than that. I can understand that there are financial constraints and they may not be able to afford the strips, but for surgeries to actively discourage the newly diagnosed from managing and understanding their condition this way is an absolute disgrace.
 
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