Blood Glucose Test Strips Refused by GP

[kareng236]

Hello,

I was diagnosed as Type 2 in December 2010. Prescribed Metformin 2x500mg twice a day. Reduced to 1x500mg as managed to achieve decent HbA1C through strict control. I have been told Metformin will not induce hypos - thus no necessity for home blood-testing. However, I have been testing and have had a reading of 3.8 on several occasions.................admittedly in the evening, having worked late and not eaten since lunch. Nevertheless, from what I have read, I thought that the liver would kick into action if the body needed a top up of glucose, so I am confused as to how I can ever have a hypo reading. There have not been any warning signals. Infact I have felt lousy on other occasions, tested thinking I was possibly hypo - only to discover that I have had a reasonable reading. All very confusing. Also - please can I ask.............if a diabetic can maintain good control over a number of years - can the progression of the severity of diabetes be halted?

Many thanks.

 

[ebony321]

Hi karen,

Your post seems to have slipped through the net!

Whilst some medications are not classed as hypo-inducing. It is perfectly normal for someone without diabetes to dop below 4 on occasion, and like you say your liver and other glucose storing parts of your body will release glucose (liver dumping as it's commonly described as) will usually take care of this if nothing is eaten or drank to boost glucose levels.

However it's quite important especially if you are strict with your control that you eat regularly to make sure your body has the fuel it needs, if you are going below 4 you really should have a fast acting carby snack to bring you back up to a suitable level.

There are many people here and elsewhere who has successfully controlled their diabetes well and avoided complication or severe progression for many years. Aslong as you take care of yourself, test frequently, exercise and eat a healthy balanced diet then there's no reason why you can't either

I'm hoping my post will prompt Daisy or one of the Moderators to post the Info commonly given to new members, newly diagnosed or experienced alike as it's not only very interesting to read, it's very informative, it also includes a link to another post for advice on what you can do to try convince your GP to give you test strips on precription as it's unfortunately quite a common problem.

Hope this helps a little and the forum is of great use to you

 

[daisy1]

I'm hoping my post will prompt Daisy or one of the Moderators to post the Info commonly given to new members, newly diagnosed or experienced alike as it's not only very interesting to read, it's very informative, it also includes a link to another post for advice on what you can do to try convince your GP to give you test strips on precription as it's unfortunately quite a common problem.

Hi Karen
Here is the information that Ebony mentioned. I hope it helps you.

Here is the advice that Ken and I, as Forum Monitors, usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.

It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.

For more information on CARBOHYDRATE see here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20306

This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.

The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.

The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.

Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.

When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.


As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!

For TIPS FOR STRIPS see here:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002#p173253

If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.

The latest 2011 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)

2hrs after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do at least 30 minutes moderate exercise a day, it can be split into 10 min sessions to start with. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.

Finally a few QUESTIONS TO ASK AT DIABETES CLINIC.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091



Sue/Ken.

 

[anna29]

Hi karen, welcome to us all here. o dear we missed you with being on a 'topic' thread. We do have a greetings and introductions thread where new members and newly diagnosed pop in to say Hi and tell us a bit about yourself also. Please feel free to still do this if you wish to, its there as a helpful starting place to gather the first bits of help, support, suggestions. Am sorry we missed you as ebony says you slipped through the net but now we have found you and welcome... Ask any questions you feel/need to, someone will come n help you along. Anna.x