A question for the Keto brigade... I guess...

Sarbak said:

I agree 100%. However, having had no income or benefits for 14 months, money is very tight, so if I can effect positive change and get into remission without spending any 'unnecessary' money, I'll do that for now.

I'm getting the feeling from most people here that even if I find out that I've successfully got into remission next week, I'm being reckless in not planning to monitor my BG before and after meals for... I guess the rest of my life?!

Click to expand...

I test a lot less than I used to. I mostly know which foods and how much works for me. Mostly it’s now just the odd day to make sure I’m on track and around new foods I am uncertain of. But I will continue, at least sometimes, for the rest of my life. Remission for many of us us is more than a single test. It’s about maintaining it too.

@Rachox has info about the cheaper testing options that have been found

Sarbak said:

I agree 100%. However, having had no income or benefits for 14 months, money is very tight, so if I can effect positive change and get into remission without spending any 'unnecessary' money, I'll do that for now.
I'm getting the feeling from most people here that even if I find out that I've successfully got into remission next week, I'm being reckless in not planning to monitor my BG before and after meals for... I guess the rest of my life?!

Click to expand...

I have been barely testing myself for years. Once I knew that I respond to the carbs in everything that has carbs (sigh) I only checked to see if I should or should not have dessert, and as my numbers drifted down I knew I always could if I wanted to, and then I was in normal numbers, so I just kept on the same way.

Hi @Sarbak , welcome to the club no one wants to be in!

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-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/

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.

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

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



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)

Sarbak said:

I agree 100%. However, having had no income or benefits for 14 months, money is very tight, so if I can effect positive change and get into remission without spending any 'unnecessary' money, I'll do that for now.

I'm getting the feeling from most people here that even if I find out that I've successfully got into remission next week, I'm being reckless in not planning to monitor my BG before and after meals for... I guess the rest of my life?!

Click to expand...

Totally get where you’re coming from. Everyone has different circumstances. However, if you are interested in testing, while unmedicated or metformin only type2s almost overwhelmingly don’t get meters/strips given to them, an NHS nurse recently disclosed to me that she sometimes ‘bends the rules’ where she sees that the person concerned wants to make change and would benefit from a defined period of prescribed meter/strips. Worth a conversation.

I should disclose that I am a tester and have continued to be despite ‘remission’ or whatever you want to call it (personally don’t like to claim that) and am pleased with the decision as despite never eating high carb foods, I have learned that other eating/lifestyle choices have a negative impact on me remarkably quickly. However plenty on here stop or drastically reduce testing once they know what works for them.