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Follow the self-monitoring Program or go it alone?

Sixpence

Well-Known Member
Messages
53
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi, I'm thinking about starting to monitor my blood glucose because I see lots of people writing here do this and get great results. My problem is deciding whether to 'go it alone' and test before and after meals, or whether to follow the testing program offered by this website which seems to test once a day. Any suggestions? Thanks :)
 
I would say that the best thing it to decide how much you can afford to spend, and how tight control you want.

Testing once a day will give you a very rough trend.
Testing multiple times a day will allow you to identify trends with much more precision, and spot problem foods and meals, allowing you to tailor your eating habits to suit your blood glucose.

By the way, there are two different levels of the Testing Plan
https://www.type2testing.com/

One provides 400 test strips each quarter (approx 125 per month)
the other provides 400 test strips a year (approx 33 per month)

There are other brands of meters and strips that you can buy, too. Some of which would be cheaper.

It all depends how deep your pockets are... :D
When I started testing I did about 8-10 tests a day for a couple of months. Then I dropped to about 4 tests a day. Now, I test much less, because I have mapped out all my problem foods and have a good idea of what is going on. I also have a FreestyleLibre, part time - but that is a whole other thread, and I don't want to derail this one by talking about that. :)
 
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Hi, I'm thinking about starting to monitor my blood glucose because I see lots of people writing here do this and get great results. My problem is deciding whether to 'go it alone' and test before and after meals, or whether to follow the testing program offered by this website which seems to test once a day. Any suggestions? Thanks :)
I cant see a link to the website you are referring to, or the testing programme. Can you point me to it please?
 
Hi, I'm thinking about starting to monitor my blood glucose because I see lots of people writing here do this and get great results. My problem is deciding whether to 'go it alone' and test before and after meals, or whether to follow the testing program offered by this website which seems to test once a day. Any suggestions? Thanks :)
I recommend this approach: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php
 
Hi, I'm thinking about starting to monitor my blood glucose because I see lots of people writing here do this and get great results. My problem is deciding whether to 'go it alone' and test before and after meals, or whether to follow the testing program offered by this website which seems to test once a day. Any suggestions? Thanks :)
Hi @Sixpence ..
When you are considering your plans for testing, try the website at: https://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/ for the SD Codefree meter or: http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/ who distribute the TEE 2 meter, which is free. Both are popular with forum members. Assuming you get no support from your surgery, the costs of testing comes down to the ongoing charges for test strips and lancets. I'm testing 3-4 times a day .. 1 x fasting, 1 x pre-meal, 1 x post-meal (either lunch or dinner) and occasionally 1 x random if I have eaten someting "new". This works out at around £10 to £12 per month for the two packages above but, more importantly, I now know what my BG levels are .. and I will be able to manage them
Hope this helps
 
I would say that the best thing it to decide how much you can afford to spend, and how tight control you want.

Testing once a day will give you a very rough trend.
Testing multiple times a day will allow you to identify trends with much more precision, and spot problem foods and meals, allowing you to tailor your eating habits to suit your blood glucose.

By the way, there are two different levels of the Testing Plan
https://www.type2testing.com/

One provides 400 test strips each quarter (approx 125 per month)
the other provides 400 test strips a year (approx 33 per month)

There are other brands of meters and strips that you can buy, too. Some of which would be cheaper.

It all depends how deep your pockets are... :D
When I started testing I did about 8-10 tests a day for a couple of months. Then I dropped to about 4 tests a day. Now, I test much less, because I have mapped out all my problem foods and have a good idea of what is going on. I also have a FreestyleLibre, part time - but that is a whole other thread, and I don't want to derail this one by talking about that. :)
I cant see a link to the website you are referring to, or the testing programme. Can you point me to it please?
I cant see a link to the website you are referring to, or the testing programme. Can you point me to it please?
Hi Serenity648, it's the type 2 testing plan mentioned on this website and at https://www.type2testing.com/
 
I would say that the best thing it to decide how much you can afford to spend, and how tight control you want.

Testing once a day will give you a very rough trend.
Testing multiple times a day will allow you to identify trends with much more precision, and spot problem foods and meals, allowing you to tailor your eating habits to suit your blood glucose.

By the way, there are two different levels of the Testing Plan
https://www.type2testing.com/

One provides 400 test strips each quarter (approx 125 per month)
the other provides 400 test strips a year (approx 33 per month)

There are other brands of meters and strips that you can buy, too. Some of which would be cheaper.

It all depends how deep your pockets are... :D
When I started testing I did about 8-10 tests a day for a couple of months. Then I dropped to about 4 tests a day. Now, I test much less, because I have mapped out all my problem foods and have a good idea of what is going on. I also have a FreestyleLibre, part time - but that is a whole other thread, and I don't want to derail this one by talking about that. :)
Hi Brunneria, thanks for your reply. I've had a look at the 'sign up now' page for the quarterly plan and it only delivers 100 strips a quarter. I think I'm going to look at the cheaper options so I can test several times a day.
 
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