First meter test, couple of questions

Hi Caterham
This information at the link below will answer your first and third questions. Answers for the second question about meters will come quickly I hope. I use a Contour meter but only the basic model and there are better ones than that now, although mine has proved very reliable. Other members will have more recent models and will be able to give you more details about them.

Here is the link:

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=26870

All meters conform to a minimum standard and will do the job. Some are easier to use, some are smaller and so on.

4.6 is fine, in fact it is around the figure of a non diabetic. There are figures that are suggested as being as low as you should go, If you go below 4 or maybe 3.8 have a snack. It is unlikely that you will go Hypo, you are T2 and on Metformin only so should be OK.

Your liver will wake up and dump some sugar before you get much below 4.

Test 2 hours after any new food, once you know what you can and can't eat you can ease up on testing. Test your fasting BGs (when you first get up) maybe once or twice a month, there is not a lot you can do about them but it's good to know what's happening. If you feel unwell, test. Have a glass of whisky and test 1 hour later, Exclaim loudly "Now that is interesting!".

Keep a chart of what you eat and how your BGs respond, record any excercise and note what difference it makes to your BGs.

Take it along with you to the docs who should be mightily impressed especially if you throw in a graph or two. Except if he is like my doc. he will just ignore it and only look at the HbA1c results.

However, you will be able to see a trend, and if you do some simple maths you will be able to have a pretty good idea of what your HbA1c is likely to be.

Happy testing.

H

Your figures are great, obviously your weight loss and diet has made a massive change. Your HbA1c will be much improved again next time - bet you're heading for a SUB-6.5 target achievement! (£1 each way? :lol: )
The 4.6 is fine, and what you should be looking for especially if you chuck in a bit of exercise. I've had 3.2 after golf and that's fine - as said above, you're only on metformin, so don't have dangerous hypo concerns. You can get low blood sugar like anyone else (non-diabetics included) if your fuel intake is less than your energy expenditure - just means it's a good excuse to have a bacon sarni for lunch!
Well done and keep it up.