Advice

[Jason uk]

hi.. I've just received a phone call from my doctor saying I have type 2 .nothing about how bad it is or how high sugar level is I have to wait 3 weeks for a phone call from a specialist ive researched diet and that going not bad im on metformin 2 tablets a day can any body tell me the best gadget to see what my levels are please

 

[ianpspurs]

hi.. I've just received a phone call from my doctor saying I have type 2 .nothing about how bad it is or how high sugar level is I have to wait 3 weeks for a phone call from a specialist ive researched diet and that going not bad im on metformin 2 tablets a day can any body tell me the best gadget to see what my levels are please

This should help https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood_glucose_monitor_guide.html. Buy one, test on waking, immediately before each meal and 2 hrs after eating. It may help to keep a diary of what you eat and when alongside the starting and 2 hr levels.

 

[Rachox]

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.

Spirit Healthcare have a meter with cheap strips, the Tee2 + found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/

with the strips found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/

Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:

Phone number 0800 8815423


With more expensive strips is their Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual




Home Health have recently bought out this one, but I haven’t heard any reviews yet, links to strips and the meter:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/


There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips respectively (these are printed on a business card supplied with the meter).


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free from Home Health which has the cheapest strips available if bought in quantities of 5 or 10 pots with the codes below. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go, just bear in mind it seems they are replacing it with the Navii, details above.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/


and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


Disclaimer, I haven’t used any of the discount codes I have quoted so I don’t know if they are still current.


Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)

 

[Rachox]

Sorry @Jason uk , I forgot my manners, welcome to the forum! Have a good read around and ask as many questions as you want

 

[VashtiB]

Hello and welcome,

the decision to get a meter is a great decision. you may find that your doctor does not recommend you doing regular testing but as one type 2 to another I think a meter is a necessity.

Again my suggestion is to decrease your carb intake - by a lot. I went very low carb but really the answer is that your meter will let you know how many carbs your body can tolerate.

you have found this site which in my view is the best resource in the world for a diabetic. read around and ask questions.

good luck and welcome.

 

[Andy_Warlow]

Hey, dude (@Jason uk )

Welcome.

As said above your doctor will say not to test. But it help me big time.

As I tested, tested and tested.

I basically set out a food diary.

I went low carb to begin with to lower my blood sugars.

But I also tested every 30, 60, 90 mins after eating and look to see what raised my blood sugars. This gave me an plan of what I can eat and not eat.

This approached got my Hac1 down back to normal levels by my next tested 12 weeks later.

There is plenty of good advice on this forum.

I highly recommend these books.

60 ways to lower blood sugar by Dennis pollock

The diabetes code by Dr Jason Fung.

Both they help me get my run away blood sugars under control and back into a normal range.

 

[RFSMarch]

Another +1 for getting some kind of metre to test and be prepared for your GP to tell you 'nahhhh you don't need that, let me give you more tablets for this and that'

To be fair *some* GPs are better than others - I have another GP in my practice who does recognise the benefit of testing and I now see him rather than the other one because he actually is grateful that he has a patient that is being proactive.

I personally use a Libre Freestyle sensor but they are pricey, but as a writer by trade, finger pricking for me is less than ideal...