Getting started

Vickyc2804 said:

Hello all, just been diagnosed with Type 2, all but had to diagnose myself from blood test results. Locum doctor just handed me a prescription and didn’t say another word or offer and info. I have diabetic nurse but in 3 weeks. I’ve been quite ill for the last 3 month with severe fatigue and desperately want to feel better as soon as possible. They have give me metformin. I want to start testing now, I have seen the thread with suggested kits but still unsure what to order. I’m really overwhelmed with the changes in my diet and don’t have a clear guide, I’m going to quickly get sick of yoghurt which seems to be one of the few things I can have.

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It's a shock at the start to be sure. Take a look at Jo's blog: it's got all the info you need to get started: The Nutritional Thingy
For a longer read, check out the Freshwell Low Carb Project website. In particular, have a look at the various meal planners - they're great for getting an idea of what good food is still on the menu, even if you don't plan on following them rigidly.

As for testing kits, I went with the Gluco Navii, which has worked without problems for the last year - the strips don't seem too expensive (at least in the UK, and don't forget the discount codes). Unless you're going for a top-of-the-line model which can test for ketones as well as blood sugars, I'm not sure there's a lot of difference apart from price between the various models. And like inkjet printers and ink cartridges, the real ongoing cost is the glucose strips.

Hi @Vickyc2804

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



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

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



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

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





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



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)

Vickyc2804 said:

Hello all, just been diagnosed with Type 2, all but had to diagnose myself from blood test results. Locum doctor just handed me a prescription and didn’t say another word or offer and info. I have diabetic nurse but in 3 weeks. I’ve been quite ill for the last 3 month with severe fatigue and desperately want to feel better as soon as possible. They have give me metformin. I want to start testing now, I have seen the thread with suggested kits but still unsure what to order. I’m really overwhelmed with the changes in my diet and don’t have a clear guide, I’m going to quickly get sick of yoghurt which seems to be one of the few things I can have.

Click to expand...

I do hope you can cope with Metformin - I was so ill taking it along with Atorvastatin, and throwing them in the bin was the right choice for me.
Who on earth has said that your only choice is yoghurt? I do eat it with berries and sugar free jelly and cream, but only as a dessert or an indolent breakfast on midsummer mornings when it is already hot when I get up.
Any protein, with fat plus some salad, stirfry or low carb veges is fine. I have meat, fish, eggs, cheese and seem to be surviving well enough on it.