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Best Meter please ?

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Noodle66

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Hi ,diagnosed t2 19/03 ,diet and Metformin after horrendous numbnessAnd pain in feet (down to tingling now ) ,lost 8lb ,feeling better apart from continued upset tum - tmi sorry ,I need to buy a meter ,not sure whether I 'll be able to get strips on nhs prescription or not as not seen doctor ,the nurse that gave me the pills just said 3 monthly blood tests but I'd like the support of monitoring so all recommendations greatly received .Tia
 
Hi Noodle and welcome to the forum, first I’ll tag in @daisy1 for her useful info post.
Next regarding the meters, you’re very unlikely to get a meter and strips as a type 2 unless you take any meds that carry a hypo risk.
Here’s some info on meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for 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/


With more expensive strips is the 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:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/caresens-dual-blood-glucose-and-ketone-meter/

With the strips here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/caresens-pro-blood-glucose-test-strips/


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free which has the cheapest strips available. However I found itto be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go:

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 that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)
 
I can highly recommend the Accu Chek Mobile, although will grant that the cassette's are somewhat pricey at around £15.00 GBP for x50 tests (lancets around £5.00 GBP x6). Works really well, no sharps to dispose of and if you fill-in a brief form, subject to supplies then Roche will send you a wireless bluetooth adapter F.O.C. that you can 'ping' over your results to a (subscription only for PRO version) application called 'mySugr'.
 
First.Officer said:
I can highly recommend the Accu Chek Mobile, although will grant that the cassette's are somewhat pricey at around £15.00 GBP for x50 tests (lancets around £5.00 GBP x6). Works really well, no sharps to dispose of and if you fill-in a brief form, subject to supplies then Roche will send you a wireless bluetooth adapter F.O.C. that you can 'ping' over your results to a (subscription only for PRO version) application called 'mySugr'.
Click to expand...
Brill thank you x
 
First.Officer said:
I can highly recommend the Accu Chek Mobile, although will grant that the cassette's are somewhat pricey at around £15.00 GBP for x50 tests (lancets around £5.00 GBP x6). Works really well, no sharps to dispose of and if you fill-in a brief form, subject to supplies then Roche will send you a wireless bluetooth adapter F.O.C. that you can 'ping' over your results to a (subscription only for PRO version) application called 'mySugr'.
Click to expand...
Ahh thank you for all tgat info I appreciate it x
 
My recommendation is any of the Contour Next systems. They are all good meters in my experience, but the strips are expensive so may not be suitable for those on a budget or who test frequently. I tried a couple other systems but found the repeatability to be lacking compared to Contour.
 
Jim Lahey said:
My recommendation is any of the Contour Next systems. They are all good meters in my experience, but the strips are expensive so may not be suitable for those on a budget or who test frequently. I tried a couple other systems but found the repeatability to be lacking compared to Contour.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that Jim ,all interesting x
 
...of course, the sadness in all of this is that i suspect that if there was a little bit more thought, the NHS could maybe issue a suitable meter and testing strips to more T2's, as IMHO to know where you are pre and post prandial, and various other times (regarding blood glucose) is highly desirable and would effect better control for many who are currently only really aware of how they are controlling the condition as and when they are subject to the results of the HbA1c test. Wholly unsatisfactory and kinda like an 'own goal' in respect of costs savings projected only over a short-term. But it is what it is lol.
 
First.Officer said:
...of course, the sadness in all of this is that i suspect that if there was a little bit more thought, the NHS could maybe issue a suitable meter and testing strips to more T2's, as IMHO to know where you are pre and post prandial, and various other times (regarding blood glucose) is highly desirable and would effect better control for many who are currently only really aware of how they are controlling the condition as and when they are subject to the results of the HbA1c test. Wholly unsatisfactory and kinda like an 'own goal' in respect of costs savings projected only over a short-term. But it is what it is lol.
Click to expand...

The trouble with cost saving is that it equals profit saving for several influential organisations.
 
I'm a T2 and I'm on insulin and I don't have a problem as most of you do on Metformin as I use a bayer contour next one meter and I have checked how much the test strip's are and Lancet's and don't recommend it if you are on Metformin due to the prices but I get them from the GP on prescription and have done for awhile now and the same for when I was on Metformin I had a meter from the hospital and I just asked for the test strip's and Lancet's and got them but now if I change my meter I don't think I would get away with what it was like a couple of years ago when you just asked and you got so now I watch what I use and it would be hard if it wasn't for the insulin as I don't think I would check as much as I would go by how I feel but I can't as been in hospital more than a few times just doing that and it takes it out of you when you have any ketones in your body
 
@Noodle66
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 147,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 
I find the SD code free really reliable, I've checked it against the gluco nexus that was prescribed by nurse(only get strips every 3-6months hense why I have a cheaper meter as well) all results matched up. It's important to remember to change meter every 1-2 years
 
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