Doctor refuses me test strips TWICE

Hi and welcome @Footygirl

Unfortunately it’s unusual for type 2s to be prescribed testing strips unless they’re on insulin or other blood glucose lowering medication, so self-funding is the norm.

I’m tagging @HarryBeau who I believe successfully argued for them to be prescribed. Hopefully she’ll have some tips for you.

@Rachox has info on the cheapest meters

I have never, in over 8 years, been given test strips. Frequent Hba1c is useless as it takes 3 months to change. I get a chance to have a Hba1c once a year.

Hi @Footygirl


Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.

Spirit Healthcare have a meter with cheap strips, 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/

Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:

Phone number 0800 8815423


With more expensive strips is their 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




Home Health have recently bought out this one, but I haven’t heard any reviews yet, links to strips and the meter:

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


There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips respectively (these are printed on a business card supplied with the meter).


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free from Home Health which has the cheapest strips available if bought in quantities of 5 or 10 pots with the codes below. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go, just bear in mind it seems they are replacing it with the Navii, details above.

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


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


Disclaimer, I haven’t used any of the discount codes I have quoted so I don’t know if they are still current.


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

Footygirl said:

Hi am two weeks into the keto month challenge To start with I was using few last strips I had to hand.
ive dropped a dress size which pleases me, but Doc refuses me strips to support my efforts. I was doing a shorthand of, below 7 in the morning, ideally in the fives. Just attained that when strips ran out.
how can I monitor my levels now? I asked for Hb1ac monthly then. No again still three months. Loads of patronising guff about getting my level down to 49 from 58 in five months but no support!!!!!!! I wrote an impassioned logical letter but still no go. Why are they so inflexible?
So, how else do I monitor Myself without testing BG?
I am getting to grips with portion size and how many net g each meal has. I am veggie so using higher carb veg and CHEESE and eggs. no cravings. Just made cloud bread. Unusual but a bit of keto bulk with keto soup.
thanks for any advice/ help.
Cant afford to buy strips myself at moment with one thing and another!
Take care everyone.
Footy Xxx

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I self fund too, assuming you’re T2, you only need to test until your new eating patterns settle in. Afterwards, just for maintenance and or trying new foods. Also you don’t need to test mornings... hope that helps

this is common
where i live they wont give you
many unless you are on insulin or
a hypo causing drug
and i first began with metformin
which they said doesnt cause hypos
so only 3 strips a week
but guess what?
i got hypos
it can be very hard with no strips
or only a few
i feel for you
i hope you can somehow manage
to get some

Hi, I went to order my usual repeat prescription of test strips the other day, only to fine them missing from my prescription.

After speaking to the pharmacy, he sent a message to the doctor, a few day late I got a letter from my surgery to say that because I not not take diabetic drugs I don’t fall into the category for needing test strips?

Just wondered if anyone else has experience this?

I was diagnosed T2 over 3 years ago and put on Metformin, but this didn’t agree with my tummy, after finding this sit, diet doctor and sugar free Londoner, I ditched the Metformin and started on a low Carb diet.

I test every morning, before and after meals, it’s a useful tool, I like gardening and after a long session last somer my blood dropped to 1, on another occasion, after earring just half a scone it went to 30.. if I hadn’t known this by testing I couldn’t of altered the situation.

I’m feeling a little nervous at not being able to test, especially as I like to try different recipes now and then see the effect on my blood after 2 hour.

Additionally, I’m feeling a lot penalised for taking the natural route, the one GP’s (government) doesn’t recognise... So, in theory if I agree to take the recommended drugs i.e. Metformin, then I can have the test strips? How bizarre!

Any advise.. would be great
Thanks

Hi @DaisyDuke 2

For most type 2s in the UK, those wanting to test need to self fund. If you’ve been getting them on prescription until now then you’re the exception rather than the rule. Those on insulin or other blood glucose lowering medication should be prescribed them, but for those using diet or diet plus metformin, the norm is to self fund.

One or two people have fought this - @HarryBeau is one - but they are in a clear minority.

If you’d like advice on which meter to get - the strips are the major cost - let us know.

Goonergal said:

Hi @DaisyDuke 2

For most type 2s in the UK, those wanting to test need to self fund. If you’ve been getting them on prescription until now then you’re the exception rather than the rule. Those on insulin or other blood glucose lowering medication should be prescribed them, but for those using diet or diet plus metformin, the norm is to self fund.

One or two people have fought this - @HarryBeau is one - but they are in a clear minority.

If you’d like advice on which meter to get - the strips are the major cost - let us know.

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Because I have an under active Thyroid I get all my prescriptions free and so, didn’t really think about it until not?

I will speak to my doctor in the new year, he’s also diabetic so I might get somewhere?,
And a little baffling because when I spoke to him about my meter, he said he would leave me a new one at reception, very strange.

Yes, help getting a better Meter would be great thank you.

Test strips are not that cheap to the NHS. Quick. Multiply by the number of type 2s in the country and you can see why they don't want to prescribe as standard. Plus drugs like Metformin don't cause hype so not monitoring I guess is seen as not as important. I think we all know the risk of long term hyper but it's not as immediate so maybe it's not seen an needed to monitor for

Also those who don't have diabetic meds don't get free prescriptions. If you have to pay I suspect it's possible to get strips cheaper than prescription cost

Not saying it's right, or not. Not testing apart from 6 (or 12) monthly hba1c just means it takes longer to catch issues and then potentially a move to drugs that does need monitoring

But NICE guidelines are that type 2 outside of the hypo potential drugs don't have strips prescribed. Not sure if there are penalties on doctors who override this?

DaisyDuke 2 said:

Yes, help getting a better Meter would be great thank you.

Click to expand...

There are a few popular meters used by type 2s on here. As I mentioned, the cost of the strips is important as they’ll be what you spend most on.

The Tee2+ from Spirit Healthcare which has cheap strips (not the cheapest strips but very reasonable): 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/ I got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order the meter and 10 boxes of strips and they threw the meter in for free. Phone number 0800 8815423

The meter with the cheapest strips is the SD Codefree. Strips need to be bought in bulk using the codes below and the manufacturer is in the process of switching people over to a new model (see below). 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/Discount codes for bulk orders:

5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

Also from Spirit Healthcare, with more expensive strips than the Tee2+ is their Caresens Dual. This can be used for testing ketones too (strips for that very expensive). https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual

Home Health have recently brought out a new meter, the Navii, which will eventually replace the Codefree. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/

There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips.

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

EllieM said:

If you're going hypo without medication then there's something strange going on, (eg reactive hypoglycemia, insulinoma etc etc), though it's much more likely that that reading of 1 is a meter error (they do happen). If my bg was down to 1 I would be in a coma. Meters do over read as well, if you get an unusually low or high reading it's always best to retest.

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I don’t think I’ve ever had a hypo? Wouldn’t know what that is? I just eat some nuts and had dinner...

It’s never been that low since, lowest 4.1 the other week... I do a lot of gardening, walking/jogging and house work to work of what I eat, it works.

Goonergal said:

There are a few popular meters used by type 2s on here. As I mentioned, the cost of the strips is important as they’ll be what you spend most on.

The Tee2+ from Spirit Healthcare which has cheap strips (not the cheapest strips but very reasonable): 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/ I got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order the meter and 10 boxes of strips and they threw the meter in for free. Phone number 0800 8815423

The meter with the cheapest strips is the SD Codefree. Strips need to be bought in bulk using the codes below and the manufacturer is in the process of switching people over to a new model (see below). 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/Discount codes for bulk orders:

5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

Also from Spirit Healthcare, with more expensive strips than the Tee2+ is their Caresens Dual. This can be used for testing ketones too (strips for that very expensive). https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual

Home Health have recently brought out a new meter, the Navii, which will eventually replace the Codefree. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/

There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips.

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

Click to expand...

Arr thank you for all that info, I’ll look into... I still have some strips left for my old machine OneTouch, I’ve have purchased these Online before when the pharmacist ran out thin they are about £9.

Are the Machines you’ve recommended more advanced/newer models, more reliable than the OneTouch?

Many thanks for your help

I can understand you being frustrated many t2's struggle getting strips unless on insulin. But being on a diet doesn't meet any of the criteria to require test strips... hba1cs are expensive.. even as a t1 im only entitles to the 3 monthly

A hba1c gives an average of the last 3 months but is slightly biased to the latest month.. so the advice above that it does change quickly is incorrect.. you can have a test just a couple of weeks after the last and see a reduction in numbers.. I know I've done it as I went through a period where I had hba1c done ever 3 to 4 weeks

You could contact a few meter companies and they will send you a meter and 10 strips.. or you'll need to shop around for best cheap strips

If using lots of strips you could consider trying the freestyle libre as this will provide more info and after 14 days give an estimated hba1c

DaisyDuke 2 said:

Are the Machines you’ve recommended more advanced/newer models, more reliable than the OneTouch?

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Hi. I don’t know anything about the one touch. Of those listed, the Navii is the newest. I use the Tee2. They’re recommended here because of their ease of use and price of strips.

All meters have a range of error of around +\- 10-15% and as a type 2 managing with diet only or a combination of diet and metformin, it’s the general trends that are more important than the absolute numbers. If you use the same meter and are consistent with when you test, then you’ll come to see what is ‘normal’ for you.

DaisyDuke 2 said:

Arr thank you for all that info, I’ll look into... I still have some strips left for my old machine OneTouch, I’ve have purchased these Online before when the pharmacist ran out thin they are about £9.

Are the Machines you’ve recommended more advanced/newer models, more reliable than the OneTouch?

Many thanks for your help

Click to expand...

Meters have standards to comply with and even the most expensive meters have the same standards to meet.. none if them are lab grade and will give you 'good in the ball park' numbers


I use contour next meters as I have found those very consistent ie 1 test after another the numbers match where with cheaper meters ive seen much wider variance although still within the accepted tolerance but contour strip are one of the more expensive

I've use one touch vario and found them very consistent with the contour

To be fair the exact number is irrelevant. It doesn't matter if it shows 9 or 10mmol either way its high. Again 3.4 or 3.6mmol it too low