Have you been told not to test your blood sugars?

[carina62]

When I was first diagnosed 7 years ago I was told not to test and I was on diet/lifestyle monitoring only and was told I didn't need to test so I used to buy the odd box of testing strips from Ebay (I paid £25 for a pot of 50 strips the first time) and I think it's disgusting that we can't get testing strips as soon as we are diagnosed. Now that I am on Metformin, I can have testing strips on prescription and I am testing regularly as I intend to lower my BS levels over time with losing weight and low carb foods.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

I was initially told that testing was a waste of time and I wouldn't get a meter. When my Hba1c hit 58 I got a meter and test strips. When I actually used the test strips they were canceled on the grounds that I used too many.

 

[paganlass]

Hello everyone, I was diagnosed on July 12th this yr and I was told I don't need to test my blood by the diabetic nurse. Even tho my blood test was 9.4. I looked on this site that said I should test so that I no Wat affects my blood sugar levels. So yesterday I asked my doctor and told her Wat was said on here and she said no u don't need to test ur blood. So I'm going to buy myself one. Sometimes I eat then get a banging headache. I don't know if my blood is low or high or something unrelated! I'm also doing low carb diet.

 

[6cats]

You do need to test to understand what suits you food wise. There is no other way of finding out. It works so 'just do it', as the advert says!

 

[fobbletops]

You also need to test to keep control of your readings. High blood sugars lead to complication such as arteriosclerosis,ulcers,stroke and low blood sugars can lead to loss of oxygen to the brain ,therefore brain damage to state a few complications. This attempt to stop T2's from testing is about budget but what the ill informed people do not realise it will create greater problems for the health budget with complications causing more T2's attending hospital for treatment.

 

[pensionistamike]

I have an appointment at my diabetic clinic this Friday to try and sort out whether I can be allowed
to have test strips again on prescription after being in Hospital twice last month for treatment for
bladder cancer and Investigative surgery on my right kidney which the Specialist thinks is also
producing "unseen" cancer cells and is only functioning at 30%......
Both specialists agree that my blood sugar and blood pressure have to be monitored regularly
and say I should test my blood at least 3 times a day and blood pressure every fortnight.
It should be interesting as my test strips were stopped about 4 months ago as I am Type 2 and
not on insulin and told they were not necessary.....I am wondering if the Specialists opinions
will be able to overrule the Diabetic Nurse ?......roll on Friday........best wishes to all.

 

[KPJ]

I have also been told testing is unnecessary for type 2. I am usually tested by my clinic 2 times per year if lucky

Hi All, I was reduced from 4 metforms a day down to 2 also not to test only if I am unwell. With in the meet month or so I spoke to two other chums who go to different docs than I do both similar ages etc, both had been told to do the same thing as me. Don't take a lot of working out why !!

 

[tonyjr]

Hello everyone, I was diagnosed on July 12th this yr and I was told I don't need to test my blood by the diabetic nurse. Even tho my blood test was 9.4. I looked on this site that said I should test so that I no Wat affects my blood sugar levels. So yesterday I asked my doctor and told her Wat was said on here and she said no u don't need to test ur blood. So I'm going to buy myself one. Sometimes I eat then get a banging headache. I don't know if my blood is low or high or something unrelated! I'm also doing low carb diet.

Initially I was sent to stay in hospital for a night , bs was 32 . I went low carb and lost 4 stone. Hba1c 43 for 12 months so nurse took my strips away and told me I didnt need them ! ! She even asked if I was eating normally ! Doh ! My advice would be buy strips and lose weight . Keep a food diary with your weight and bs readings for your and your doctors guidance.

 

[JenniferW]

I also think if you're new to all this you need some practical guidance - how often to test and why. I'd recomend Reverse your Diabetes by David Cavan (cheap to buy online, not just from this website). I read it cover-to-cover when I got it a year ago but have been surprised how much it's helped me to go back and re-read sections when I didn't immediately achieve miracles!

 

[KPJ]

Hi All, I have now been told I know longer need a fasting blood test for my annual check up, don't know why

 

[pensionistamike]

I sat and watched a video (11 minutes) all talk and a few posters made by a company who call themselves
The International Council For Truth In Medicine. claiming they have found the ROOT cause of Diabetes and
if you follow their instructions your Diabetes can not only be helped but in lots of cases they say they have
had "references" from some patients of theirs who's Diabetes has actually been cured.
The book is titled"7 Steps to Health...Big Diabetes Lie....all for only 40 euros or so......
Look it up on Google.....I figured if it was that good it would be on this site ....it isn't.
The Google reviews come down heavily in favour of it being a Scam....but see for yourself..it will only take
a couple of minutes to find........and if you have nothing better to do .......watch the video......Fascinating.

 

[dbr10]

I was initially told that testing was a waste of time and I wouldn't get a meter. When my Hba1c hit 58 I got a meter and test strips. When I actually used the test strips they were canceled on the grounds that I used too many.

How stupid is that!

 

[dbr10]

Hello everyone, I was diagnosed on July 12th this yr and I was told I don't need to test my blood by the diabetic nurse. Even tho my blood test was 9.4. I looked on this site that said I should test so that I no Wat affects my blood sugar levels. So yesterday I asked my doctor and told her Wat was said on here and she said no u don't need to test ur blood. So I'm going to buy myself one. Sometimes I eat then get a banging headache. I don't know if my blood is low or high or something unrelated! I'm also doing low carb diet.

Yes, you need to test, at least initially, and when eating something new to test the effect on BG. Test before meals and two hours afterwards. If the second reading is high, test again later. Try to avoid foods which cause high BS spikes. Ignore HCPs who tell you not to test. How do you know the effect foods have on your BG if you don't. I seriously suspect that we are told not to test because we would realise that the HCLF diet advice is nonsense and the treatment is inadequate - based as it is on the idea of waiting until the patient gets worse, before doing anything about it!

 

[dbr10]

You also need to test to keep control of your readings. High blood sugars lead to complication such as arteriosclerosis,ulcers,stroke and low blood sugars can lead to loss of oxygen to the brain ,therefore brain damage to state a few complications. This attempt to stop T2's from testing is about budget but what the ill informed people do not realise it will create greater problems for the health budget with complications causing more T2's attending hospital for treatment.

Yes, it is obvious that lack of effective treatment costs the NHS more eventually

 

[dbr10]

I have an appointment at my diabetic clinic this Friday to try and sort out whether I can be allowed
to have test strips again on prescription after being in Hospital twice last month for treatment for
bladder cancer and Investigative surgery on my right kidney which the Specialist thinks is also
producing "unseen" cancer cells and is only functioning at 30%......
Both specialists agree that my blood sugar and blood pressure have to be monitored regularly
and say I should test my blood at least 3 times a day and blood pressure every fortnight.
It should be interesting as my test strips were stopped about 4 months ago as I am Type 2 and
not on insulin and told they were not necessary.....I am wondering if the Specialists opinions
will be able to overrule the Diabetic Nurse ?......roll on Friday........best wishes to all.

And to you too.

 

[paganlass]

Initially I was sent to stay in hospital for a night , bs was 32 . I went low carb and lost 4 stone. Hba1c 43 for 12 months so nurse took my strips away and told me I didnt need them ! ! She even asked if I was eating normally ! Doh ! My advice would be buy strips and lose weight . Keep a food diary with your weight and bs readings for your and your doctors guidance.

Thankyou .

 

[Squire Fulwood]

How stupid is that!

On a scale of 1 to 10, pretty stupid.

EDIT: And there's more. I was offered Viagra. They have their priorities round their neck. A friend suggested I accept the Viagra, sell it in the pub and use the money to buy strips.

 

[Aliwoo]

I have been told there is no requirement to test even though I am on glipizide, A friend who also takes glipizide has been told she must test as she is on glipizide, she attends a different clinic. It seems that there is no standardisation on testing it is a postcode lottery.

 

[JenniferW]

Hi All, I have now been told I know longer need a fasting blood test for my annual check up, don't know why

The results of an HbA1c test give them - and you - a more useful 'picture'.

 

[pensionistamike]

I posted earlier in the week as to whether I thought the Cancer and the Kidney specialists at the Hospital I
am being treated at could overrule the decision made at my Diabetic Clinic to stop my test strips on prescription
because I am type 2 and not on insulin.
The answer is they can ...and they have....I had an appointment at the Clinic this morning and was given a 100 strips
and told I would get more when they run out. I hope this may help anyone in a similar situation......Keep Well.