To test or not

[dbr10]

I am newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic on metformin do i need to get blood sugar monitor to test or not.
is it important to do this nurse says not
Thanks Richard

Yes; test so you know the effect of your food on BG levels. I've been told not to by my doctor, but suspect that is because you would realise the high carb diet advice is nonsense. It is the only way I have succeeded in reducing my Hba1c from 52 to 34.

 

[Rich H]

Yes; test so you know the effect of your food on BG levels. I've been told not to by my doctor, but suspect that is because you would realise the high carb diet advice is nonsense. It is the only way I have succeeded in reducing my Hba1c from 52 to 34.

Thanks dbr10
my blood level was also 52 interesting info

 

[Jeffamos]

Anyone that believes that testing so high the meter wont recognize it is no big deal and that nothing will happen is living in a fools paradise. Ask anyone suffering from blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, neuropathy, gastroparesis, ED, or amputations if running seriously high is a big deal. It may not have happened yet but it doesn't mean that it won't happen. Testing is the best way to learn how to control our sugars. Dizzy may not be low blood sugar, it may be something else that is serious. Assuming it is a low and not testing could have huge consequences. I cannot tell you what to do but if you think that seeing numbers so high the meter can't compute is "kinda fun", you should not be giving advice to anyone.

I've been tested with every test under the sun, and nothing is wrong. It's even unknown why my BG was so high for many years. Not normal so Docs shot me up with insulin, Not good as that shot my BG into the high 40's. Just felt angry, and shot my fist through a garage door. So say I tested every day, and a couple hours after eating, or in my case not eating My BG is suddenly high, what is that going to tell me, oh no its high, guess I shouldn't eat that or that water I had must have been it. Too many variables in life to worry about. I'm 55, and had this likely since my 30's , hmm still alive, few hiccups here and there. Been on Metaformin, and Insulin, (lost eyesight on Insulin for quite a while) On Metaformin, and Glipzide. Had a massive wieght gain, Now on Invokanna, massive weight loss and leveled out.

 

[paulinderby]

With being diagnosed type 2 just a week ago and the diabetic nurse not going a bundle on a meter ive been looking on here and until about half a hour ago I was swinging towards not testing. The advice i have been given is to reduce sugars and portion size and of course exercise.
This afternoon the wife and i went out and indulged in fish and chips..... quite a large portion of chips!. Since diagnosis i have been very carful to reduce the carbs. For years i have had problems with restless legs syndrome. Since reducing carbs this hasnt been a problem tonight, 3 hours after the chips it starts with a vengence! So I will be testing as soon as i can get a meter. Not to monitor levels but to check when i suddenly go tired or when legs start kicking like a whirling devish so that i can DEFINATELY put it down to something i are just a few hours before.

It all makes sense now!

 

[Liam1955]

@paulinderby - Hi and welcome. Quite a lot of forum members use the SD Codefree Blood Glucose Meter because the test strips are the cheapest to buy. Take a look at this link: http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring if you decide to purchase, quote you are Diabetic (vat exemption) and you need to choose mmol for UK.

 

[paulinderby]

@paulinderby - Hi and welcome. Quite a lot of forum members use the SD Codefree Blood Glucose Meter because the test strips are the cheapest to buy. Take a look at this link: http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring if you decide to purchase, quote you are Diabetic (vat exemption) and you need to choose mmol for UK.

Thanks Liam will check that out. Been really keen on reducing the carbs (which has been my downfall before ) and making a concerted effort to walk each day work as a minimum. Down 3kg in 2 weeks the tester is just another tool for me to ensure as a minimum the BG stays where it is or falls

 

[Moggely]

I'm still of 2 minds about the testing. I do it, but have noticed that i get really anxious about it, then do it again and so on and so on. I'm at the stage were i pretty much eat the same as always so i know what foods do effect me and therefore avoid it and that was all due to the testing. Maybe now it's time to ease up on it at least for awhile. Hi @paulinderby I notice this thread is two years ago. Oh well never mind.

 

[Crocodile]

I'm still of 2 minds about the testing. I do it, but have noticed that i get really anxious about it, then do it again and so on and so on. I'm at the stage were i pretty much eat the same as always so i know what foods do effect me and therefore avoid it and that was all due to the testing. Maybe now it's time to ease up on it at least for awhile. Hi @paulinderby I notice this thread is two years ago. Oh well never mind.

I agree. I test now only when I'm eating something I'm not sure about. I rarely test in the mornings now because my breakfast choices have all been tested, vetted and logged so I know the effects. Same for week day lunches at work because all the various choices are known. Evening meals vary a bit so anything I'm not sure of gets tested. Maybe once a week I may do a spot check to make sure there is no creepage. Seems to be working OK and my box of strips last a lot longer.
Glenn

 

[pollensa]

Hi. There is only one answer and that is to take control and test. You may not need to test very often but you must test occasionally to check what foods are affecting you and whether your blood sugar is drifting upwards. The reason the NHS does not support T2s testing is due to the cost of test strips.

Good pragmatic reply, there are politics involved, business and costings, i.e. "not need to test very often but occasionally", seems the order of the day. It depends on individuals situation end of day, but it is not so black and white as I see it.

Non Diabetes normal ones blood sugar goes up and down daily.

Daily testing
Pre diabetics, Diabetes D2 if testing, good positive, allows one to see how foods affect the sugars and other. Results may affect oe in different ways, may give depression as not happy with the result, worried, re the result number, re test, and see that even without certain foods, may same or more, or less, ones day is constantly on edge, what will my test reveal, what will it show, Will I be over, low, high, anxious. It can be good and also not so good as stress tension, can surely affect what could be a happy normal day.

Test Occasionally
Can give good positive also. I speak from own experience as only test every three months. I do this for a reason, I know non diabetics in the world sugar goes up and down or so the professional meds inform, anyway, so I choose by personal choice to test myself this way.

Test same day, same time every three months. i.e. Fasting 7am normal and if intermittent fasting x 24 hours test 6pm evenings. 2h after eat 4pm. Random 12noon and 6pm

Results. Amazing actually. During the three month period, my levels are more or less the same each time, yes there may be one or two points more i.e. fasting may be 96mg/dl previously compared to 94mg/dl or 2hr after eat 89mg/dl or 91mg/dl, random 98mg/dl or 94mg.dl as examples.

What does this tell me, that even not testing daily, and only every 3 months, I feel gives better knowledge and guide, how overall during a 12 week period of eating, daily life, shows indicates, if the levels were vastly different, then I would probably test slightly more often say each month, I feel results been more or less the same, speaks volumes overall.

Its entirely a personal situation of control and how wants to do it daily once or twice or many more times, and or monthly or as myself only 3 monthly for example.

the method I choose gives peace of mind during the three months, as long as I keep up my control regime, keto, exercising the same, intermittent fasting, skipping bread, potatoes, pasta rice, personally for my own body, I do not feel I can do any better than this anyway at the end of the day.

Ones situation may warrant daily testing, and if that's the case, it would be a must situation.

Another piece of info for the pot. In Spain doctors say Ignore testing of finger pricks, not necessary, they even now say ignore the "average BG" shown on an A1C, I agree to disagree on this to be frankly honest, and for this ignore same, and continue testing 3 monthly periods.

Mallorca

 

[Freema]

I Think most that stop testing end up with a blood glucose average that is generally too high

 

[Moggely]

Good pragmatic reply, there are politics involved, business and costings, i.e. "not need to test very often but occasionally", seems the order of the day. It depends on individuals situation end of day, but it is not so black and white as I see it.

Non Diabetes normal ones blood sugar goes up and down daily.

Daily testing
Pre diabetics, Diabetes D2 if testing, good positive, allows one to see how foods affect the sugars and other. Results may affect oe in different ways, may give depression as not happy with the result, worried, re the result number, re test, and see that even without certain foods, may same or more, or less, ones day is constantly on edge, what will my test reveal, what will it show, Will I be over, low, high, anxious. It can be good and also not so good as stress tension, can surely affect what could be a happy normal day.

Test Occasionally
Can give good positive also. I speak from own experience as only test every three months. I do this for a reason, I know non diabetics in the world sugar goes up and down or so the professional meds inform, anyway, so I choose by personal choice to test myself this way.

Test same day, same time every three months. i.e. Fasting 7am normal and if intermittent fasting x 24 hours test 6pm evenings. 2h after eat 4pm. Random 12noon and 6pm

Results. Amazing actually. During the three month period, my levels are more or less the same each time, yes there may be one or two points more i.e. fasting may be 96mg/dl previously compared to 94mg/dl or 2hr after eat 89mg/dl or 91mg/dl, random 98mg/dl or 94mg.dl as examples.

What does this tell me, that even not testing daily, and only every 3 months, I feel gives better knowledge and guide, how overall during a 12 week period of eating, daily life, shows indicates, if the levels were vastly different, then I would probably test slightly more often say each month, I feel results been more or less the same, speaks volumes overall.

Its entirely a personal situation of control and how wants to do it daily once or twice or many more times, and or monthly or as myself only 3 monthly for example.

the method I choose gives peace of mind during the three months, as long as I keep up my control regime, keto, exercising the same, intermittent fasting, skipping bread, potatoes, pasta rice, personally for my own body, I do not feel I can do any better than this anyway at the end of the day.

Ones situation may warrant daily testing, and if that's the case, it would be a must situation.

Another piece of info for the pot. In Spain doctors say Ignore testing of finger pricks, not necessary, they even now say ignore the "average BG" shown on an A1C, I agree to disagree on this to be frankly honest, and for this ignore same, and continue testing 3 monthly periods.

Mallorca

@pollensa I'm in one of those categorizes. The first one, as it's making me anxious and does ruin a whole day for me sometimes .I am stopping the testing on the daily basic for that reason and see what it's like in say a week. I feel it can become obsessive at least in my case it has.

 

[pollensa]

I Think most that stop testing end up with a blood glucose average that is generally too high

I agree stop testing altogether if one has had issues previously, better or worse, not ideal, the topic is how many times to test, daily, how many times daily, weekly, and or less for example, to still keep testing, as and when for each individual. To stop altogether, not ideal.

 

[pollensa]

@pollensa I'm in one of those categorizes. The first one, as it's making me anxious and does ruin a whole day for me sometimes .I am stopping the testing on the daily basic for that reason and see what it's like in say a week. I feel it can become obsessive at least in my case it has.

Exactly Moggely, and I am sure ruins whole day for many out there too. I think it all has to be put into perspective a little, if possible, as dealing with control of an issue of insulin resistance /sugars, is one thing, but our body and general health overall may be good or very good. So what happens here, fretting, anxious, tension, stress, worried, and more so infuriating comes into the equation also, for say having been very good, eaten no carbs, exercised, not eaten fruit say same day or two days prior and what happens "higher result" than expected, and disappointment kicks in, then normal people levels go up and down also. Worrying may sadly cause problems on what is normally good health and that's the last thing that is required.

I have a friend who works in a Lab in Australia and I listened to some good advice from her, and she said, to get worked up about a test result that is higher than expected, wanted, or envisaged is not worth it, and its much better for one to take the "majority" of averages, if ones numbers have been good day before or days before, and one result shows high, don't worry about it so much go with the majority as this may cause problems for general good health always worrying and anxiety, ie. if fasting and 2hr are normal, yet random test shows high, this day, don't worry base the majority, same if random and 2hr are normal, yet fasting may prove high, take the majority even though values differ for different zones. I have followed this advice, same she said with A1C if an A1C is higher, but others have proved good results perhaps lower, and if normal finger prick tests have proved on average normal x 3 months, and A1C proved disappointingly high, yet other A1C lower, go with the majority. Whether that is good sound advice I am not a Doc to know, but seems common sense sometimes has to kick in.

Test for sure, one has to protect our other good health also as well as controlling a particular issue too Si???

Have a nice relaxing, non anxious day, be happy and think positive.

 

[Terrytiddy]

Hi all I test every morning and last thing at night. I don't test before or after meals as I do Low Carb High Fat (LCHF)/Keto way of eating with less than 10g carbs per day when not fasting. Another reason I test in the mornings is to see levels before driving. I'm currently on an average of 5.5 over 30 days so like to keep eye on things.

 

[Moggely]

Exactly Moggely, and I am sure ruins whole day for many out there too. I think it all has to be put into perspective a little, if possible, as dealing with control of an issue of insulin resistance /sugars, is one thing, but our body and general health overall may be good or very good. So what happens here, fretting, anxious, tension, stress, worried, and more so infuriating comes into the equation also, for say having been very good, eaten no carbs, exercised, not eaten fruit say same day or two days prior and what happens "higher result" than expected, and disappointment kicks in, then normal people levels go up and down also. Worrying may sadly cause problems on what is normally good health and that's the last thing that is required.

I have a friend who works in a Lab in Australia and I listened to some good advice from her, and she said, to get worked up about a test result that is higher than expected, wanted, or envisaged is not worth it, and its much better for one to take the "majority" of averages, if ones numbers have been good day before or days before, and one result shows high, don't worry about it so much go with the majority as this may cause problems for general good health always worrying and anxiety, ie. if fasting and 2hr are normal, yet random test shows high, this day, don't worry base the majority, same if random and 2hr are normal, yet fasting may prove high, take the majority even though values differ for different zones. I have followed this advice, same she said with A1C if an A1C is higher, but others have proved good results perhaps lower, and if normal finger prick tests have proved on average normal x 3 months, and A1C proved disappointingly high, yet other A1C lower, go with the majority. Whether that is good sound advice I am not a Doc to know, but seems common sense sometimes has to kick in.

Test for sure, one has to protect our other good health also as well as controlling a particular issue too Si???

Have a nice relaxing, non anxious day, be happy and think positive.

Thank you @pollensa .

 

[Alexandra100]

I do Low Carb High Fat (LCHF)/Keto way of eating with less than 10g carbs per day when not fasting.

Wow! I'm SO impressed!!! I won't dare winge any more about my luxurious 20+g carbs daily!

 

[Daphne917]

I Think most that stop testing end up with a blood glucose average that is generally too high

I rarely test these days and my hba1c has stayed between 35 and 37 for the last 2 years so I believe that, once you know what affect your food choices have, you can maintain good BS control with intermittent, rather than regular, testing. I do test if I’m trying something new or that I haven’t had for a while though.

 

[kitedoc]

Just to point out that if one is on insulin, blood testing is unavoidable - that is, IF you wish to have any idea of what is going on AND will act on the results. And testing BSL before driving a motor vehicle is a pretty strong legal incentive !
I cannot comment on other medications which lower blood sugar except to guess that intuitively it makes sense to test there also.
Since none of us can predict how we will respond to a given dose of insulin and a given amount of food (carbs, protein) and exercise etc there needs to be a monitoring system.
I fully appreciate where @pollensa and @Moggely are coming from. And I have had advice from my GP to not try to measure my Blood pressure too often. The anticipation of doing the measurement affects the result !!
Why do a reading if it has little value or meaning OR , importantly one is not going to act on it.
With finger pricks, you get so used to doing them that the anticipation is gone. (but I have to wonder about the person who said her husband and son bet on what her BSL before the evening meal will be) !!
Because diabetes tends to be long term condition, testing has a place in that continuum (and by continuum and I recognise that some persons may revert back to normal or near normal, or progress).
I agree with the notion that it is only by BSL testing (finger prick, CMG etc) that one can monitor responses to various foods, and changes to diet, as well as to stress and exercise, cycles, illness. That proves its value.
HBA1C measurement are a helpful but limited. I do not trust them as the final arbiter of my diabetes control, just a guide.
And it was something of a surprise when I realised 7 years ago that my specialist doctor and diabetes nurse were far more concerned with my low blood sugar readings, than the higher ones. Of course BSLs over 14 were of concern, particularly if ketones were also present but still with then near 45 years on insulin and having started on an insulin pump that emphasis on hypo prevention has remained. Avoid BSLs < 4 mmol/l. HBA1C readings will not help there.

 

[Moggely]

Just to point out that if one is on insulin, blood testing is unavoidable - that is, IF you wish to have any idea of what is going on AND will act on the results. And testing BSL before driving a motor vehicle is a pretty strong legal incentive !
I cannot comment on other medications which lower blood sugar except to guess that intuitively it makes sense to test there also.
Since none of us can predict how we will respond to a given dose of insulin and a given amount of food (carbs, protein) and exercise etc there needs to be a monitoring system.
I fully appreciate where @pollensa and @Moggely are coming from. And I have had advice from my GP to not try to measure my Blood pressure too often. The anticipation of doing the measurement affects the result !!
Why do a reading if it has little value or meaning OR , importantly one is not going to act on it.
With finger pricks, you get so used to doing them that the anticipation is gone. (but I have to wonder about the person who said her husband and son bet on what her BSL before the evening meal will be) !!
Because diabetes tends to be long term condition, testing has a place in that continuum (and by continuum and I recognise that some persons may revert back to normal or near normal, or progress).
I agree with the notion that it is only by BSL testing (finger prick, CMG etc) that one can monitor responses to various foods, and changes to diet, as well as to stress and exercise, cycles, illness. That proves its value.
HBA1C measurement are a helpful but limited. I do not trust them as the final arbiter of my diabetes control, just a guide.
And it was something of a surprise when I realised 7 years ago that my specialist doctor and diabetes nurse were far more concerned with my low blood sugar readings, than the higher ones. Of course BSLs over 14 were of concern, particularly if ketones were also present but still with then near 45 years on insulin and having started on an insulin pump that emphasis on hypo prevention has remained. Avoid BSLs < 4 mmol/l. HBA1C readings will not help there.

@kitedoc . I totally agree with you that T1 must test because they are on insulin and also for diabetics in general as to know what food effects their levels and so on, but the point i was trying to make and this is just in my own circumstances and not speaking for everyone, was that it really was becoming a real obsession with me and a bad number would ruin the whole day for me, even if i woke up healthy and happy, that bad reading ruined my day. In my own case i was thinking of stopping it for a week or so or maybe even take it a couple of days, but not to the point were i seem to be doing it constantly. Speaking of blood pressure i have white coat hypertension so have to take it at home and i was doing the same with that as i'm now doing the finger pricking. The blood pressure was years ago now so i don't take it all the time but maybe once a week or sometimes even monthly. I understand that diabetes is a forever condition and i will always have to be careful. Things that are out of my control, such as illness or stress or pain and certain medications, well those things i can do little about except to whether it out so to speak. Thanks for your input on it.

 

[liarsdance]

I tested for three months after diagnosis and am currently not testing. From the moment of diagnosis I embarked on a keto (<20g) low carb diet (green veggies, a square or two of Lindt 85%) with daily intermittent fasting and mostly eating only one meal a day. Over time I found my pre and post evening meal levels to generally be within 0.5mmol of each other, sometimes the same. My fasting glucose was all over the place though - ranging from 4.6 to 6.5. After my first review (HbA1c down from 52 to 35), I stopped testing my fasting BG because it stopped me worrying about it. At present I only test if if I've been out for a meal and might have inadvertently eaten something I wouldn't normally eat - and even then this is more out of curiosity than anything else. When I do test I use a Codefree meter and am happy with it. I would add that I'm not on any diabetes meds and if my HBA1c at the end of October shows an increase, I will probably resume testing. But right now I'm happy not testing. And as I am on lifelong anticoagulants and bruise easily, my fingers are really happy that I'm not testing too...

(Edited for typos and syntax errors!)

~Heath