Are my 6 monthly checks sufficient?

[HpprKM]

This is a question I have been worrying about since joining the forum and reading about how proactive other members are.

As a T2 diagnosed around 18 mths ago, I have been relying totally on my regular blood tests and checks with GP, which (thankfully at last check) were good. But when I read about others experiences, testing before/after eating etc, I wonder if I really have as a good a grip on this thing as I should. I try to keep sugar intake to an absolute minimum, and more recently have been looking at the low carb option, although I seem to have been doing ok with carbs to date. My worry is that even though my 3/6 monthly checks are showing good results, will they really suffice, are they really giving me a true indicator of my sugar levels/control - is my blood sugar hitting highs and lows throughout the day that I may be unaware of?

Yes, this may sound like a really dumb question, as I do see myself as being a proactive T2, but I have these worrying doubts lingering at the back of my mind and wonder if I am really not as proactive and do not have as tight a rein on this thing as I might, or even should have. :?

Advice on this would be very welcome, and where to start if you feel I am not taking the right stance - please.

 

[cugila]

Hi hpprkm.

Personally I don't think that a 6 or even 3 month HbA1c is sufficient. Like driving a car without a speedo, just pure guesswork. It is only an average. No more. Your daily numbers could be all over the place ?

At least for a while you do need to test when you get up, before food and at the very least 2 hrs after food. Sometimes you might need to test 1 hr and 3 hrs as well. A check at bedtime will show you what happens overnight. You won't need to do this forever, just for a while.

Keep a food diary too to relate Bg levels to food type and intake.This will show you exactly what effect certain foods are having on your Bg levels through the day. Without knowing those figures you are walking in the dark.

The guideline figures for a T2 that you should aim to stay within are:
Fasting (waking)................between 4 - 7 mmol/l.
2 hrs after meals...............no more than 8.5 mmol/l.

Ken.