Diagnosed and put straight onto tablets

[Patriciaw]

Hi I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 4 weeks ago and dr put me straight onto metformin . My level was 49
I’ve been told by numerous people I should be checking my blood sugar each day . I was never given and equipment to do this and haven’t seen anyone apart from the dr who told me I was diabetic and gave me the tablets
Is this the correct procedure when first diagnosed

 

[jeano999]

I suggest you request blood testing strips and equipment from your GP. The protocol has changed in recent years as they are discouraged from prescribing testing strips unless you are taking a medication that may lead to low blood sugar - and Metformin is not one of them. However newly diagnosed people can be given, at Doctors' discretion, relevant equipment. If this is not forthcoming it is worth self-funding if it is within your means. How else can you be sure the medication is doing the job?

 

[Patriciaw]

Thank you for that I will order some myself

 

[Antje77]

Thank you for that I will order some myself

Tagging @Rachox who has a list of good glucose meters in the UK with teststrips in the cheaper segment.

 

[Rachox]

Hi @Patriciaw , thanks for the tag @Antje77 ,
here’s some info with links for UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



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