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Prediabetes diagnosis

Lynn1 said:
OK. My meter has arrived. How on earth do you use it? Instructions are pretty overwhelming. Scared I'll do something wrong.
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Firstly, I'll say I can't think of any way you could do yourself significant harm messing up a test. So, don't worry about that. there's a video on the Home Health site, demonstrating the meter: http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm It's not completely comprehensive, but a decent start. One thing I would say is that he uses the meter on it's deepest setting, but do NOT follow his lead. Start out on number one and only increase if you don't draw blood, then only increase by the minimum each time. Why doing this just place the end of the pricking tool on your finger; don't apply any pressure. If it doesn't draw blood, increase the setting, but again, don't apply any pressure.

You'll probably want to set the meter up, to reflect the time and date etc., so that looking back, in a few weeks, the readings make sense without reference anywhere else. I'm afraid that's a case of reading the manual and taking it steady. You'll get there.

So have a look at the video. Read the instructions. I think you get a booklet, or they are here, if you didn't: http://www.homehealth-uk.com/PDF Test Instructions/User_Guide_UK_final.pdf

Do all of that and come back when you're properly confused!! I only joke a bit, because you may have further questions, but no point in drowing you in info at this stage.
 
AndBreathe said:
Firstly, I'll say I can't think of any way you could do yourself significant harm messing up a test. So, don't worry about that. there's a video on the Home Health site, demonstrating the meter: http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm It's not completely comprehensive, but a decent start. One thing I would say is that he uses the meter on it's deepest setting, but do NOT follow his lead. Start out on number one and only increase if you don't draw blood, then only increase by the minimum each time. Why doing this just place the end of the pricking tool on your finger; don't apply any pressure. If it doesn't draw blood, increase the setting, but again, don't apply any pressure.

You'll probably want to set the meter up, to reflect the time and date etc., so that looking back, in a few weeks, the readings make sense without reference anywhere else. I'm afraid that's a case of reading the manual and taking it steady. You'll get there.

So have a look at the video. Read the instructions. I think you get a booklet, or they are here, if you didn't: http://www.homehealth-uk.com/PDF Test Instructions/User_Guide_UK_final.pdf

Do all of that and come back when you're properly confused!! I only joke a bit, because you may have further questions, but no point in drowing you in info at this stage.
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It's saying 6.0. What does that mean?
 
Hi Lynn,

Well done on managing your first reading.

6.0 means nothing at all without further information. You need to test immediately before you eat, and then again 2 hours after your first bite. Then you compare the 2 readings and see how much of a rise there is. Ideally this should be no more than 2mmol/l. The lower the better. If it is above 2mmol/l there may have been something in that meal that needs tweaking/reducing/avoiding. One test on a meal isn't much of a guide, however. You need to try again with the same meal/same portions and see if it is any better/worse.

As a guide, a non-diabetic is normally between 4 and 5.9 before a meal and under 7.8 at 2 hours. A Type 2 should aim for between 4 and 7 before a meal and under 8.5 at 2 hours. These are the guidelines used by the NHS but are considered to be over generous. The lower the better again.

When did you get your 6? Had you eaten or not?
 
Well done on getting the first test under your belt. That's the hardest one. How long did it take you to prick your finger?

Now you need to decide on your strategy for testing. Bluetit has given you the drill, and you probably won't need to do it for incredibly long before you have a decent idea of where you stand.

How many strips did you buy with your meter? That might govern your immediate approach.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Hi Lynn,

Well done on managing your first reading.

6.0 means nothing at all without further information. You need to test immediately before you eat, and then again 2 hours after your first bite. Then you compare the 2 readings and see how much of a rise there is. Ideally this should be no more than 2mmol/l. The lower the better. If it is above 2mmol/l there may have been something in that meal that needs tweaking/reducing/avoiding. One test on a meal isn't much of a guide, however. You need to try again with the same meal/same portions and see if it is any better/worse.

As a guide, a non-diabetic is normally between 4 and 5.9 before a meal and under 7.8 at 2 hours. A Type 2 should aim for between 4 and 7 before a meal and under 8.5 at 2 hours. These are the guidelines used by the NHS but are considered to be over generous. The lower the better again.

When did you get your 6? Had you eaten or not?
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About an hour after lunch. Will be more precise before and after dinner this evening. Sorry to be so ignorant. I'll get there, hopefully!
AndBreathe said:
Well done on getting the first test under your belt. That's the hardest one. How long did it take you to prick your finger?

Now you need to decide on your strategy for testing. Bluetit has given you the drill, and you probably won't need to do it for incredibly long before you have a decent idea of where you stand.

How many strips did you buy with your meter? That might govern your immediate approach.
Click to expand...
Didn't take long at all. After two Ceasarian sections and a total knee replacement it was a doddle!

Have just ordered extra testing strips and lancets from Amazon. The strips etc included with monitor won't last any time at all. How often should I test?
 
If it was about an hour after lunch it wasn't a bad reading at all. Don't panic, all this takes time to get used to.
How often you test is entirely up to you. If you want to discover what particular foods do to you, then a before and after eating that food is good, even if it is for all 3 meals, plus a morning fasting (immediately you get out of bed), and if that is higher than you want to see, then a before bed test might help solve some mysteries. Once you know for sure that a particular meal and portion size is OK for you, there is no need to test that meal over and over again.

The best way to check meals is to keep a strict food diary of every single thing you eat and drink in a day, and compare your readings with this. You will soon see patterns emerging. It might seem a faff, but it is worth it, and the best way to learn in the initial stages. I still do this every day as it is one of my main motivations and I'm a control freak! :)
 
Lynn1 said:
About an hour after lunch. Will be more precise before and after dinner this evening. Sorry to be so ignorant. I'll get there, hopefully!

Didn't take long at all. After two Ceasarian sections and a total knee replacement it was a doddle!

Have just ordered extra testing strips and lancets from Amazon. The strips etc included with monitor won't last any time at all. How often should I test?
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Many people find the first one can take a little while, so well done on that.

Well, my advice (and there may be conflicting views you may want to consider too) would be that you eat as normal. By normal I mean before you knew anything about this. Doing that, test immediately you get up, before breakfast, cups of tea, shower etc., then immediately before each meal, and 2 hours after your first bite. After a few days you'll probably have a notion of where you are, and maybe where there are rises you don't like.

I use rather an unscientific "after a few days" because it's not an exact science and so many factors come into play, All very helpful, I realise!

But, once you have a few days readings you can share; and you can share them as you go, or wait until you have some data, you may be able to see where you might want to trim your diet a bit. We can obviously help you with that bit too. As you are near the lower end of the pre-diabetic range, you may not have to do too much. It could be something as simple as trimming some portions of certain carbs. At this stage we can't know. That's why the meter is pretty fundamental in my view.

Does that make sense?

Apologies if I don't answer posts very quickly. I'm multi-tasking today, so I'm not ignoring anyone, but dipping in and out of here, as I tackle other "stuff".
 
AndBreathe said:
Many people find the first one can take a little while, so well done on that.

Well, my advice (and there may be conflicting views you may want to consider too) would be that you eat as normal. By normal I mean before you knew anything about this. Doing that, test immediately you get up, before breakfast, cups of tea, shower etc., then immediately before each meal, and 2 hours after your first bite. After a few days you'll probably have a notion of where you are, and maybe where there are rises you don't like.

I use rather an unscientific "after a few days" because it's not an exact science and so many factors come into play, All very helpful, I realise!

But, once you have a few days readings you can share; and you can share them as you go, or wait until you have some data, you may be able to see where you might want to trim your diet a bit. We can obviously help you with that bit too. As you are near the lower end of the pre-diabetic range, you may not have to do too much. It could be something as simple as trimming some portions of certain carbs. At this stage we can't know. That's why the meter is pretty fundamental in my view.

Does that make sense?

Apologies if I don't answer posts very quickly. I'm multi-tasking today, so I'm not ignoring anyone, but dipping in and out of here, as I tackle other "stuff".
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Lynn1 said:
It's saying 6.0. What does that mean?
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The 6 is a good reading,
The food you ate is one that doesn't seem to spike you, so if you decide to eat to your meter, that would seem to be on the 'ok to eat' list.
What was it?
 
Thanks. Really helpful.

Can I ask, when eating normally with maybe four different items on my plate, how will I know which item has caused my BG to spike? Is it likely to be just carbs or is it trial and error? Presume it could just be portion control too?
 
douglas99 said:
The 6 is a good reading,
The food you ate is one that doesn't seem to spike you, so if you decide to eat to your meter, that would seem to be on the 'ok to eat' list.
What was it?
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Tuna mayonnaise, coleslaw, one tomato, cucumber and half an apple.
 
Lynn1 said:
Thanks. Really helpful.

Can I ask, when eating normally with maybe four different items on my plate, how will I know which item has caused my BG to spike? Is it likely to be just carbs or is it trial and error? Presume it could just be portion control too?
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It'll be some form of carbs, but not all.
Try the plate, if you spike, either try each item individually, or a different combination of just some of them with other different things.
And yes, the more you eat, the more you will be spiked by something.
Portion control works well to counteract that.

'Tuna mayonnaise, coleslaw, one tomato, cucumber and half an apple.' if that's your normal lunch, keep doing what you're doing, it sounds fine.
 
douglas99 said:
It'll be some form of carbs, but not all.
Try the plate, if you spike, either try each item individually, or a different combination of just some of them with other different things.
And yes, the more you eat, the more you will be spiked by something.
Portion control works well to counteract that.

'Tuna mayonnaise, coleslaw, one tomato, cucumber and half an apple.' if that's your normal lunch, keep doing what you're doing, it sounds fine.
Click to expand...
This evening's readings are 5.8 and 5.9 2 hrs later. How was that?
 
AndBreathe said:
Many people find the first one can take a little while, so well done on that.

Well, my advice (and there may be conflicting views you may want to consider too) would be that you eat as normal. By normal I mean before you knew anything about this. Doing that, test immediately you get up, before breakfast, cups of tea, shower etc., then immediately before each meal, and 2 hours after your first bite. After a few days you'll probably have a notion of where you are, and maybe where there are rises you don't like.

I use rather an unscientific "after a few days" because it's not an exact science and so many factors come into play, All very helpful, I realise!

But, once you have a few days readings you can share; and you can share them as you go, or wait until you have some data, you may be able to see where you might want to trim your diet a bit. We can obviously help you with that bit too. As you are near the lower end of the pre-diabetic range, you may not have to do too much. It could be something as simple as trimming some portions of certain carbs. At this stage we can't know. That's why the meter is pretty fundamental in my view.

Does that make sense?

Apologies if I don't answer posts very quickly. I'm multi-tasking today, so I'm not ignoring anyone, but dipping in and out of here, as I tackle other "stuff".
Click to expand...
Advice please. After apparently good BG results yesterday (my first day), this morning's first reading was 6.8. Sorry, but I forgot about a fasting test and had a cup of tea before testing!
 
For some people their fasting levels will be the highest of the day. Assuming your tea had some milk in it, that would have nudged you up a bit,.......... probably. So, your 6.8 is neither fasting, nor postprandial. It's not an issue.

Record it, and move on. See how it looks tomorrow. For the next few days you are purely data gathering. Don't be stressed by anything you see. In fact, in some ways, be pleased if you see the odd, slightly elevated score, because those could be hints for the way forward.

Just a reminder; record all your blood scores, your food diary, and if you feel off, or exercise a bit more than usual, write all that down. Are you doing that?

I guess you're probably now just about waiting for your additional strips to arrive.
 
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