Do I need to buy a blood sugar meter?

[DaveT77]

Hi all. was diagnosed with type 2 about a month ago now. Im still trying to get my head round it all at the moment.

Not really changed my diet much other than going cold turkey on sweets and buscuits which I hope will help.

I keep seeing a lot of questions like what was your level when you got up this morning?

I'm on 2000mg of Metaformin a day, which should bring my numbers down - was 8.9 at last check.

do I need to get Blood Sugar kit, I dont really fancy stabbing myself daily but if they're worth having...

 

[xfieldok]

Metformin won't bring your numbers down, diet will. IMO a meter is essential to finding out what foods suit you and which don't.

Stabbing doesn't hurt if you do it properly. @Rachox has some info on test kits. The strips are your running cost.

Have a look around the low carb forum. Carbs are the enemy.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[Daphne917]

@DaveT77 welcome to the forum. Whilst you don’t have to buy a blood glucose meter it is a good idea as by using it you will be able to see how your blood sugar reacts to carbs which is the food group that most Type 2s cannot tolerate very well - some better than others. The most carby foods to be aware of and cut down on or avoid altogether, depending on how you react to them, are bread (although there are some low carb varieties), pasta, rice, potatoes, cakes and fruit although berries tend to be lower carb. Hopefully @Rachox and @Bluetit1802 will be along later and provide you with information re meters.

 

[Rachox]

Thanks for the tags @xfieldok and @Daphne917 !

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:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free which has the cheapest strips available. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable, although I hear reliability may have improved now. 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)

 

[Reemap]

Yes you need to buy a meter. That’s your only friend who can tell you what food affected you and to what level. You need to avoid sweets and carby food .. try cauliflower rice ..

 

[mouseee]

I agree, definitely a meter. I got one from tesco for £10 and 100 test strips for £10 there too. There are lots available but that one was convenient for me.

To be honest, it doesnt hurt to do the finger prick test, I stabbed myself with a seeing needle the other day and that hurt far more! Plus, I'll swap discomfort for a full complement of limbs and eyesight!

This forum has been a life line in so many ways for me. Lots of experts who have lived with diabetes far longer than me. Invaluable help.

 

[TriciaWs]

I doubt I could have got into remission without my meter.
I found out exactly how many carbs I could safely eat in one meal, and over a day, in order to get into remission.

Ane we react differently to foods, so eg I checked how many slices of low carb bread I can eat (1.5 slices) and that strawberries spike my blood more than raspberries even if they are apparently the same amount of carbs.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Yes, do get a meter. GPs tend to rely too much on Metformin. It's a good safe drug but won't reduce your blood sugar by much. Diet is the key.

 

[searley]

I would say it will definitely help even if you only use it periodically

My partner is T2 was doing well... stopped testing after getting a good hba1c a year later her hba1c is 99 because she was unaware how high her levels were going

 

[DaveT77]

Thanks all, will look into getting one over the next couple of days

 

[xfieldok]

I use the Tee2, I phoned spirit Health and ordered 200 strips, they threw in the meter for free.

 

[Reemap]

I m using SD codefree

 

[VashtiB]

I'm another that thinks you really need a meter- I'm glad you are getting one. Regular testing is the only way to find out what foods your body can tolerate and what it can't.

Good luck.

 

[xfieldok]

Don't use the finger pricker on the pointy end of your finger, too many nerve endings and it will hurt! Use the side of the finger, just under the fingernail.

You may also want to order some spare lancets at the same time. However, although they are "single use", lots of use use the same lancet for a looooong time, so, for example, mine don't get changed that often.

 

[DJC3]

I agree with the others here, unless you test you won’t know how different foods affect you. You might be surprised at some of the results, it’s not just sugar bread and pasta which will raise your blood glucose levels. People often find that breakfast cereal and those ‘healthy’ seed and nut bars cause big rises too. You’ll only know if you test ( immediately before a meal and 2 hrs afterwards) good luck.
Ps I use the Tee2 and they gave it to me free when I bought strips. Just give them a ring.

 

[ianf0ster]

I would say it will definitely help even if you only use it periodically

My partner is T2 was doing well... stopped testing after getting a good hba1c a year later her hba1c is 99 because she was unaware how high her levels were going

Yes, people say that they are cured of T2 but I think that although that may be possible for the majority all they can achieve is remission.
So the lifestyle to get you into remission is the lifestyle you need to stay that way for the rest of your life.
If you don't periodically test the you can get lifestyle or diet 'creep' - eating just a little more carbs and then just a little more. Or exercising a little less and then a little less etc. But if you test periodically you can detect if you are going off track.

 

[Tophat1900]

Agree with the get a meter responses, you need one. You wouldn't drive a car without a steering wheel. That's how important I think they are.

I find after a while that you get good at pricking your fingers and can often get a sample minus the pain. It's a skill you get better at over time.

And welcome!

 

[JoKalsbeek]

No-one fancies self-stabbing, really. But you get used to it, especially when it helps you get the T2 under proper control. It's SO worth it!

Hi all. was diagnosed with type 2 about a month ago now. Im still trying to get my head round it all at the moment.

Not really changed my diet much other than going cold turkey on sweets and buscuits which I hope will help.

I keep seeing a lot of questions like what was your level when you got up this morning?

I'm on 2000mg of Metaformin a day, which should bring my numbers down - was 8.9 at last check.

do I need to get Blood Sugar kit, I dont really fancy stabbing myself daily but if they're worth having...