Blood Glucose Testing-Bad Advice

[janabelle]

Hi, I've discovered that my local PCT are giving the most outrageous advice for Type-1s, and Type-2s regarding blood testing. The article is written by the Lead Specialist Diabetes Nurse in our London borough with the advice of a Hospital Consultant Specialist in Diabetes,
It states that type-1s only need to check their blood sugar twice a day, unless ill or pregant, when it's 4 times a day! Type-2s are not to test at home, but rely on 3 monthly HBA1c result.
Is this common advice.
I'm quite shocked, I've been type-1 for 20 years and always check over 4 times a day. Its astounding that while doctors prescribe synthetic insulins, which are known to be responsible for reduction of hypo warning signs, that they can promote such bad advice for testing. Do they not know about advice from the DVLA?
As for the type-2 advice; a relative of mine had his HBA1c checked recently and it was 10. He's not on medicaton and was told to come back in a year for another test. I did a random blood sugar on him and it was above 17!
Sounds like there's a conspiracy to kill off us diabetics, if they can't do it with Lantus they'll find other ways
Jus

 

[Vikingepigen]

I have just received a similar leaflet from CPT Surrey Heath, claiming that this is NATIONAL GUIDELINES!! The leaflet is dated January 2007 and states that T2 does not need to test at home unless on medication and then only once or twice a week!! And they are saying that 6 monthly blood tests are sufficient to control T2. Utterly rubbish, but what does one expect from such people - needless to say that they are about to receive a letter from me, escalating my complaint to government level as they are clearly in breach of the OFFICIAL NHS NATIONAL GUIDELINES (NICE Guidelines).

What is worse is that PCT are commending the DUK backed high carb diet and although DUK advocate selftesting as an intregreal part of self management. Seems the PCT takes what every suit their needs from the DUK and disregard the rest!! Typical!!

Off to write letters to "people"!!


Alice

 

[hanadr]

I've been battling this for a couple of years. It is outrageous and WRONG ADVICE. My own PCT admits that fewer than half the diabetics in its care achieve HbA1cs of <7.5%. Says something about the efficacy of their protocols. Trouble is in NICE GUIDELINES. they are merely guidelines and have no teeth.
I wrote My PCT a letter a couple of days ago, after I encountered their "We'll help you stop smoking for Free!" stall in a shopping mall. Smokers chose to smoke. Diabetics don't choose this, even lifestyle doesn't cause it.

 

[kegstore]

Unfortunately this is another symptom of a fundamental problem with our healthcare system - individual PCTs are permitted to interpret NICE guidelines as they see fit. This affects all healthcare provision and not just test strips. As well as writing to our PCTs on specific matters of concern, we need to be lobbying our MPs to get this disastrous arrangement changed. The postcode lottery is alive and well in the 21st century.

 

[Serial45]

That is diabolical advice, to think I sometimes test my blood sugars in excess of 15 times a day.
My doctors prescribe me 350 a month i generally use them within this time as well. Could cut it down but I like to see exactly how certain foods react to my levels.

 

[greenp3]

hi my doctors too only do testing once a year and i cannot have any lancets or strips to do home testing and no longer feel in control so im going to have to save and buy them. its so wrong whos deciding all this.
green p3

 

[gbtyke]

So I am assuming that all you indignant people have signed up to John's petition against this?


http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Diabetes-Advice/

 

[Sweet3x]

heh, move to France My doctor gets upset that I do only 4 a day, and is trying to get me to do 6 - we've compromised on 5 for the moment. Since my readings are rarely over 8 unless I've just eaten, I felt it a fair compromise

 

[Sweet3x]

What is worse is that PCT are commending the DUK backed high carb diet and although DUK advocate selftesting as an intregreal part of self management.
Alice

High carb, or just your normal regular daily dosage? There is a big diff, you know

 

[Parselmouth]

Is there any way of testing your own Hba1C at home? I assume not, but thought I'd ask anyway.

 

[kegstore]

I just Googled it and got a whole stack of results so the kits are out there, just not sure about accuracy vs your normal lab...

 

[Parselmouth]

Just had a quick look and it seems that there are kits available in the US but not here. I guess there's not that much call for them here when you can get it done on the NHS for free, in the US they have to pay around $150 to get it done, that would certainly motivate you to pay $25 to get a kit for testing at home!

Looks like you can get them shipped here at around $30, so I might do that if I feel the need to get all competitive about it. lol

 

[sugarless sue]

I've just done Google search and found several UK companies that sell these.

 

[cugila]

As Sue says there are quite a few Uk sites.
Here is a link to just one which offers a meter very similar to a blood glucose monitor.

http://www.co-opxest.com/Store/ByUse/By ... ifications

Ken.

 

[Stunning]

Having had T1 for nearly 30 years and now have what i would say is a priviledge to use a 5 second meter (instead of the old BM Stix!!!), i think it is our RIGHTS to be able to test our BG whenever we choose. Testing BG has always been part and parcel of Diabetes, whatever the type.

Having had a terrible time with my control over the last few years, i test my BG at least 10 times a day as i believe that this can only benefit my control. Even if my control was better than it has been, i would still test 5 times a day. Twice a day is just ridiculous for a T1 IMHO.

DS

 

[Parselmouth]

Well I've had another look and can't find any Hba1C test kits available in the UK that give you a result at home, you have to take the blood and send it off to a lab. The US kits are complete self test kits.

Thanks for the link, Ken, but it seems to lead to a cholesterol kit, which wasn't what I was after.

 

[cugila]

Ooops, sorry about that.

That link should have been posted in another Topic. I'll leave it there anyway. Bad day at the office. :lol:

I'll take a look and get back to you if I find what you need.

Ken.

 

[cugila]

Hi Parselmouth.
Finally got my brain into gear.... :?

The cost of a Home HbA1c test kit is I am sure, totally prohibitive umless you have money to burn ?
I am making enquiries into costs and will get back to you as soon as I know. pm me if it seems like I have forgotten. Some of these things are not easy to find out.

Anyway, here are the details of one Company in the UK which does what you want but is not exactly what you are looking for. With this one as per the US kits you sample and then send away.

GlucoMen A1c is a blood glucose tes kit which you can use to do a blood glucose test do at home to measures the glycosylated haemoglobin in your blood, which is the best indication of your medium-term blood glucose control in diabetes .

Take control of your diabetes:
Fast, accurate and reliable HbA1c home test
You provide a small blood sample in the container provided
You send this sample to the HbA1c lab for them to test professionally
The test results are notified to you within 48hrs of receipt of sample

How GlucoMen A1c works:
HbA1 should be measured up to 6 times per year in people with diabetes*, in order to improve their quality of life
At present, most people are only offered one or two tests per year by their doctor
This easy to use kit helps you to take control of your future health and well being

The kit is priced at 19.94 Euros.

http://www.superliving.co.uk/pharmacy/y ... ?Itemid=12

Here are the contact details for the Company and the link is above to their website where you can order it.
SuperLiving Ltd
9 Philip House
Honiton Road
Exeter
Devon, UK
EX1 3RU
[email protected]
Tel: 01392 360125
Fax: 01392 360126
If you are outside the UK our phone number is 0044 1392 360125, and our fax number 0044 1392 360126 (i.e. +44(0)1392 360125/6).

 

[jenrose]

It is my personal opinion that It isn't right that people have to fork out the full cost of test strips (which the PCT does not have to pay) in order to be safe from complications, or safe driving. People are given free nicotine patches in order to stop smoking. I am not a against this but surely to manage blood sugars to avoid heatlh problems should be seen just as worthy as smokers stop smoking in order to avoid health problems for smokers, and will save the NHS money in the future just the same. As someone has already pointed out smokers can give up smoking if they wish. I gave up smoking over 30 years ago cold turkey for the sake of my health and I know it is a case of mind over matter but while diabetes can be well controlled, or badly controlled, no matter how much you want to be rid of the condition it is always there. I think PCTs must be wishing us to give in to the disease and depart of this world quickly and quietly. Not us, hey?

 

[Graham1441]

I have just received a similar leaflet from CPT Surrey Heath, claiming that this is NATIONAL GUIDELINES!! The leaflet is dated January 2007 and states that T2 does not need to test at home unless on medication and then only once or twice a week!! And they are saying that 6 monthly blood tests are sufficient to control T2. Utterly rubbish, but what does one expect from such people - needless to say that they are about to receive a letter from me, escalating my complaint to government level as they are clearly in breach of the OFFICIAL NHS NATIONAL GUIDELINES (NICE Guidelines).

What is worse is that PCT are commending the DUK backed high carb diet and although DUK advocate selftesting as an intregreal part of self management. Seems the PCT takes what every suit their needs from the DUK and disregard the rest!! Typical!!

Off to write letters to "people"!!


Alice

If you drive you can use that as a lever against th PCT, I did and they went mad and TOLD my doctor to let me have as many test strips as i want.
Graham1441 :twisted: :twisted: