Assuming I am prediabetic

Hi @Tutts711 and welcome to the forum. Rather than assuming you are prediabetic and self treating, I think it would be wise to get a blood test (an HbA1c which gives an average of your blood sugars over the preceding three months) via your GP, your symptoms are suggestive of diabetes but you should rule out other illnesses too.
If you do find your HbA1c is elevated then definitely start lowering carbs and test. We can give you some advice on blood sugar monitors with reasonably affordable strips.

I’d agree that checking in with your doc about your HbA1c and to rule out anything else would be a good idea, but in my opinion eating a low carb diet of unprocessed foods is a good move for anyone and will almost certainly lead to some tangible health benefits.

Tutts711 said:

I am planning to get some test strips and a lancing device to start testing my glucose. Any guide how to go about this?

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There are a few popular meters used by type 2s on here. The cost of the strips is important as they’ll be what you spend most on so don’t be seduced by offers of free meters with expensive strips.

The meter with the cheapest strips is the Gluco Navii. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/

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. Buying a pack of 10 boxes of strips using the discount code works out at £5.68.

The SD Codefree from Home Health has similarly priced strips, but is rumoured to be being discontinued at some point.

The Tee2+ from Spirit Healthcare also has relatively cheap strips, (although they have recently gone up in price): https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/products/copy-of-copy-of-tee2-blood-glucose-meter
with the strips found here: https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/products/copy-of-tee2-test-strips

I got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order the meter and 10 boxes of strips and they threw the meter in for free. Phone number 0800 8815423. I daresay Home Health would do the same.

Also from Spirit Healthcare, with more expensive strips than the Tee2+ is their Caresens Dual. This can be used for testing ketones too (strips for that very expensive). https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual

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

And in terms of testing, test immediately before eating and again 2 hours after the first bite. Generally you’re looking for a rise of no more than 2mmols assuming that you’ve eaten something low carb. There are some guides to blood sugar ranges elsewhere on this website - can’t find a working link right now.

I think this may be the link @Goonergal was looking for?
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

Tutts711 said:

@Goonergal thanks! The TEE2 meter looks cooler .
I presume mmol/L and mg/DL are different unit of measure. Which is more common?

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We use mmols/L in the UK while the USA favour mg/DL

Tutts711 said:

Please also provide guide to information exercise. High intensity?

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Something you enjoy, or you won’t keep it up. Personally I favour walking.

Goonergal said:

Something you enjoy, or you won’t keep it up. Personally I favour walking.

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Walking is good, so is gardening, housework, hobbies, sport, basically anything that isn't sitting down. You can find many exercise programmes on the internet. Good luck in finding something you enjoy

I am past the stage of high exercise, but I am also cunning! As well as walking, I take exercise by being inefficient. For instance, instead of piling items on the stairs to take up in one go, I take up one thing at a time. After a lifetime of time-and-motion efficiency, I deliberately do one thing at a time, especially if each time means going into another room or up the garden. I make sure I sit in different chairs/seats after about an hour of sitting-down work. If I make a hot drink, I fetch each item individually and go out of the room while the kettle is boiling. If I'm folding laundry, I do it one item at a time and walk away betweentimes.Tiny steps, tiny increments, but it all adds up.