greyposter
Well-Known Member
I will stop testing for now,as I have found my equilibrium.
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Do T2's need to test frequently long-term?
- Thread starter lucylocket61
- Start Date
greyposter
Well-Known Member
Still 7.1 after breakfast.
Squire Fulwood
Expert
Leaving aside the issue where the NHS mostly think that Type 2's don't need to test at all, I follow this procedure.
I certainly test more often than is necessary but that is only twice a day, before my main meal and two hours after my main meal.
The reason I say that this is more than is necessary is that I spent about six months doing my research on meals and I know which one does what to a fairly accurate extent.
The reason I continue to test is that I find that getting an average is useful and gives me a rough guide to what my Hba1c will be. If I only tested when a troublesome meal was eaten then my average would be artificially high.
I also have a feeling that if I don't test then I don't really know for sure what is going on and that's how I felt when I was first diagnosed and told to eat "healthily" and then left to get on with it. That's not a nice feeling.
I certainly test more often than is necessary but that is only twice a day, before my main meal and two hours after my main meal.
The reason I say that this is more than is necessary is that I spent about six months doing my research on meals and I know which one does what to a fairly accurate extent.
The reason I continue to test is that I find that getting an average is useful and gives me a rough guide to what my Hba1c will be. If I only tested when a troublesome meal was eaten then my average would be artificially high.
I also have a feeling that if I don't test then I don't really know for sure what is going on and that's how I felt when I was first diagnosed and told to eat "healthily" and then left to get on with it. That's not a nice feeling.
Hi,
When my Diabetes was not under control, I used to test with the thing which pricks your finger to get a droplet of blood....and I hated it. I rarely seemed to get a big enough droplet of blood and I used to be scared of the reading the tester gave - I felt like I was playing Russian Roulette each time I did it.
I decided to surf the internet and try and find out if I could recover from Type 2 Diabetes. Once you get Diabetes, you have it for life, but , I discovered, with a sensible diet and exercise it was possible to lower the blood sugar readings back to normal - less than 7.0 and for the last 2 years I have been 6.1, my organs which were failing have regenerated, I stopped using the above testing equipment and now I rely on the tests which my doctor arranges every 3 months - a requirement to ensure my Drivers License is renewed each year, for another year - I'm 66 and I want to live out my remaining life without the complications of Diabetes, if I can.
I won't put my diet here, because it has caused some friction in the past, however, you might find this link of interest and I suggest you read the blurb on it, especially the last paragraph and follow the links there, to discover an eating regime which will help you control your Diabetes, as I have done: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14046739.php
If you want my diet send me an e-mail to [email protected]
BigBenn
When my Diabetes was not under control, I used to test with the thing which pricks your finger to get a droplet of blood....and I hated it. I rarely seemed to get a big enough droplet of blood and I used to be scared of the reading the tester gave - I felt like I was playing Russian Roulette each time I did it.
I decided to surf the internet and try and find out if I could recover from Type 2 Diabetes. Once you get Diabetes, you have it for life, but , I discovered, with a sensible diet and exercise it was possible to lower the blood sugar readings back to normal - less than 7.0 and for the last 2 years I have been 6.1, my organs which were failing have regenerated, I stopped using the above testing equipment and now I rely on the tests which my doctor arranges every 3 months - a requirement to ensure my Drivers License is renewed each year, for another year - I'm 66 and I want to live out my remaining life without the complications of Diabetes, if I can.
I won't put my diet here, because it has caused some friction in the past, however, you might find this link of interest and I suggest you read the blurb on it, especially the last paragraph and follow the links there, to discover an eating regime which will help you control your Diabetes, as I have done: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14046739.php
If you want my diet send me an e-mail to [email protected]
BigBenn
I test pretty much every day. Generally once moree if I feel I have a cause to. I do keep tabs on what I'm eating all the time too.
I pay for my own strips, because I feel it's the only way I can keep control at the targets I set for myself. the usual NHS targets are much higher than my own. I want to be SAFE
Hana
I pay for my own strips, because I feel it's the only way I can keep control at the targets I set for myself. the usual NHS targets are much higher than my own. I want to be SAFE
Hana
johnipswich
Member
I started testing 3 times a day when diagnosed ad on metformin only. Now on insulin and drive for a living I ave to test 4 - 6 times a day.
stephiesut
Well-Known Member
I honestly believe it depends on how well managed your diabetes is. I come from a long line of diabetics and most no longer test. My mum maintains a hba1c of about 6, and so she never tests. She doesnt need to, her diabetes is really well managed. Mine is very badly managed (not through lack of trying) so I test regularly, as does my husband, but he has other medical problems so thats why he has to test so much. Long term, if I can get to a healthy level and seem to maintain it, I wont test as much as I do now, probably just the 1-2 times a week or if I dont feel right.
But of course everyone is different. I dont think there are any hard and fast rules, though NHS funding would argue against that lol!
But of course everyone is different. I dont think there are any hard and fast rules, though NHS funding would argue against that lol!
tiamaria13354
Newbie
.....im the same, i was newly diagnosed in June 2012 and had 4 test done to tell me im T2, he sed i don't need a machine to test, i suggested i bought a machine but he sed he wouldn't prescribe the strips because there's no need. im on diet and metformin. HOW can one test a year be enoughlucylocket61 said:
))Denise((
Well-Known Member
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.
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.
