I've been diagnosed over five years and had a meter for about four and a half years. I test my fasting levels on a daily basis, so I know where I am and if I've let things slip. Every couple of months I do a day of intensive testing, so I can see before and two hours after meal levels. My weekday diet doesn't change much so this is enough information for me.
I don't think an annual HbA1c is enough (mine is booked for the end of January and includes Christmas
). I tried to book a mid year one and was told no, as there was no clinical need.
The NICE Type 2 guidelines
http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/1 ... /40803.pdf have a section on testing between pages 47 - 51 and from what I have read and take to mean, says that people who test have a lower HbA1c. They also say that well the controlled should have a HbA1c every six months.
I do get strips on prescription (with the advice to test once or twice a week) so order 150 per year (although as I am on gliclazide, I should test before I drive). The rest I fund myself as I want to do this for my own piece of mind. I keep spreadsheets (and charts), so I know how I am doing in relation to the last month, three months, year, all time and since I started taking gliclazide.
I suppose my question would be - what do you call frequently? I test more frequently than my GP recommends - i.e. at least once a day. Do I test on a daily basis before and after I eat - no, I only do that every few months for a day.
I wouldn't be without my meter, it is a tool to keep me on the right track.