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Bg Monitors

T

Tdunk

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Newly diagnosed (over two months ago) and give little info from health professionals. Going back in two weeks for update.
Just wondered if it is worth investing in a BG Monitor and, if so, can any good ones be recommended.
Appreciate any advice.
 
Tdunk said:
Newly diagnosed (over two months ago) and give little info from health professionals. Going back in two weeks for update.
Just wondered if it is worth investing in a BG Monitor and, if so, can any good ones be recommended.
Appreciate any advice.
Click to expand...
It is absolutely essential. Tagging @Rachox for info for you.
 
Hi Tdunk and welcome! As this is your first post i’ll tag in @daisy1 for her info post.

Here are some meters that are popular on the forum:

Taken from a post by @Bluetit1802 as she wrote it so nicely:

The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2 because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.

Try here for the Codefree meter

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/
Showing as out of stock at the moment but also available from Amazon, link below.

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

The Tee2 is here and the meter is free.

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product-category/shop/tee2/

Amazon link to Code Free:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-G...F8&qid=1530477077&sr=8-2&keywords=sd+codefree




Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)
 
Highly, highly, highly recommend the TEE2 system from Spirit Healthcare.Their delivery is superfast and most of their stuff is free to Diabetics. I ordered a BG meter, Lancet pen, the sugar test solution, the computer software and the USB cable. All of which was totally FREE! (so was the postage!)

Their testing strips in packs of 50 cost £7:75 and seem to be the cheapest available (I'm prepared to be shot down in flames here if someone else knows different)

If nothing else, give them a try to see how you go with self testing

Welcome to the forum, get ready for a major overhaul of your life
 

Erm, better duck @TTTE I’m just preparing my flame thrower!

The strips for SD Code Frees work out at £5.98 per 50 if you claim VAT redemption and use the discount code for 10 tubs, codes in my post #3
 
Rachox said:
Erm, better duck @TTTE I’m just preparing my flame thrower!

The strips for SD Code Frees work out at £5.98 per 50 if you claim VAT redemption and use the discount code for 10 tubs, codes in my post #3
Click to expand...

Oh ******, my asbestos underpants are at the cleaners so it looks like I'm going to get burned.
Thanks for the discount code, I'll use it on my next order

Mod edit to remove swearword
 
Last edited by a moderator:
TTTE said:
Oh ******, my asbestos underpants are at the cleaners so it looks like I'm going to get burned.
Thanks for the discount code, I'll use it on my next order
Click to expand...
Store the code somewhere you can use it over and over!

Moderator edit of quoted post
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Have to admit that is a quite a saving, and with diabetics finding themselves to be blessed with self funding this sort of stuff (aren't we lucky) every little helps. I currently use the TEE2 meter which says that "no coding is required" but even if I have to buy the code free meter, at just under £13 it's paid for through the discount on the strips - Hoorah Winner winner Chicken dinner (low carb version obviously)
 
@Tdunk

Hello Tdunk and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will help.

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 235,000 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
TTTE said:
Oh ******, my asbestos underpants are at the cleaners so it looks like I'm going to get burned.
Thanks for the discount code, I'll use it on my next order

Mod edit to remove swearword
Click to expand...


TTTE - The percentage discount given is the same for 5 or 10 tubs, meaning no greater saving, per tub, between order 5 or 10.

I'm not making any sort of point really except clarifying. Not everyone wants (or can afford) to shell out for 10 tubs at once.
 
Just tried to order a TEE2 from Spirit but it's showing as out of stock. Are there any other suppliers?
 
Why is everyone buying their own meter? I was given one by my GP immediately before I had a definite diagnosis and told once confirmed, I wouldn’t have to pay for my prescriptions anymore! Just curious or have I been lucky?
 
Flora123 said:
Why is everyone buying their own meter? I was given one by my GP immediately before I had a definite diagnosis and told once confirmed, I wouldn’t have to pay for my prescriptions anymore! Just curious or have I been lucky?
Click to expand...

All diabetics get free prescriptions if they are prescribed Diabetes meds (that’s all meds free not just the diabetic ones). As for meters and strips you will get them on prescription if you’re put on meds which risk hypos but not usually Metformin alone. If you are on just Metformin then you have indeed been lucky.
 

Yes just Metformin for me. Interesting as my surgery is so tight with other things! Thanks
 
Flora123 said:
Why is everyone buying their own meter? I was given one by my GP immediately before I had a definite diagnosis and told once confirmed, I wouldn’t have to pay for my prescriptions anymore! Just curious or have I been lucky?
Click to expand...
Judging by all the comments on here from other type 2's and my own personal experience of my GP I would say you have been either very very very very very lucky, or your doctor thought you were a type 1 diabetic.

Generally type 2 diabetic do tgere bit for the countries economy by self funding their own test equipment.
 
As a follow on post to this I have ordered a Code Free tester and some test strips. I'm going to start using the Code Free meter along side the TEE2 and see how they compare. The kit from Code Free comes in a neat little pouch just like the TEE2. It contains a lancet pen, some lancets, a button battery for the enclosed meter and a very detailed instruction book. The savings on buying tubs of test strips makes it worth while. I initially used the TEE2 system as I was only going to self test a couple of times a day, however self testing becomes addictive and now I find myself testing up to 5 or 6 times a day depending on what I'm doing food wise etc. This means it's not long before you're using 100 to 200 strips a month which soon adds up, therefore the savings on bulk buying with the code free system soon start to mount up
 
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