Still Getting My Head Around It

JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
5,937
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Okay I don't really have enough strips to test that often. I have to get them through my clinic, who I haven't been referred to yet.
If you're not on insulin, the NHS probably won't provide strips. Most people here self-fund. And you can test less often once you have an idea of what certain foods do. I mean, if you have the same meal, say, eggs'n bacon every so often, you know what'll happen without testing. I tested loads when I started... Now I just do it when I feel off or use (painkillers) meds that influence my levels. It won't always be like this.
 
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Element137

Well-Known Member
Messages
128
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Okay I don't really have enough strips to test that often. I have to get them through my clinic, who I haven't been referred to yet.
Very few T2's get strips funded by their GP's - you may have to accept that you have to fund them yourself - crazy as it sounds, that's the line the NHS will take in most cases.
 

Jawl

Active Member
Messages
25
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Okay I'm in Ireland so not sure how that will work. If I ever get referred I'l know.
 

Smallbrit

Well-Known Member
Messages
284
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Oooooh I’ve just tested. It was 9.4 this morning as soon as I woke up. I’ve had breakfast, a mid morning snack and ate lunch two hours ago, and just tested now and it says 7.6. Surely that’s inaccurate??

Yep, that’s what happens to me. Every stupid day. Unless I have carbs for breakfast and then it just stays high. I expect a drop of around 2-3 mmol between breakfast and afternoon. And by evening I’m usually lower than that too.

It makes for interesting graphs if you’re tracking numbers. I do like the idea that eggs, bacon, spinach, mushrooms will give my readings a difference of minus numbers. Other factors are definitely coming into play though when that happens...
 
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Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,849
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Once I got down to about 8 after eating I did not test the before levels as it was unlikely to be higher. I tested less and less frequently and saw lower and lower numbers after eating, so I thought that was OK and them my Hba1c came back as 41, so yes, that was OK.
 
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Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,849
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Once I got down to about 8 after eating I did not test the before levels as it was unlikely to be higher. I tested less and less frequently and saw lower and lower numbers after eating, so I thought that was OK and them my Hba1c came back as 41, so yes, that was OK.
 

miahara

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,019
Type of diabetes
Type 3c
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm quite fortunate in that I've had test strips provided (I'm on a sulphonylurea) and for about the first 18 months I tested pre and post prandial pretty regularly and recorded and graphed the results. This gave me some very useful insight into how specific affected influenced my BG and a general insight into how well my BG management was going. It also provided very valuable positive reinforcement to keep on carefully managing my diet.
I've now got a very good idea of the good, the bad, and the very very bad as far as foods go so seldom do pre and post prandial tests. But I do do a fasting BG test a couple of times a week as I think it does give a fairly good general indication of my 'baseline' BG level and trend.
I think that at least initially, pre and post meal testing is extremely valuable for anyone diagnosed with T2 as we all react differently to specific foods. One man's meat is another man's poison (well meat may be ok for a T2 , but you know what I mean..):rolleyes:
 
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daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Jawl

Hello Jawl and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful and interesting. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.