Hello everyone, newly diagnosed T2 and still reeling from the shock of it. Would feel better if I could take back some control - I would like to purchase a glucose monitor - to test my blood sugars - can the forum recommend the most accurate? My Diabetic nurse almost dismissed self monitoring, as 'not accurate'. Is she right? I'm following a low carb high fat eating regime, (again not something she recommends), confused and frightened right now!
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Glucose metre
- Thread starter SalAnn
- Start Date
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- 11,319
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
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- Tablets (oral)
Hello and welcome @SalAnn
Here is some info regarding blood glucose meters. Recommendation is that you test fasting levels on waking, then immediately before eating, and 2 hours after eating. Keep a record of what you numbers are, and what you have eaten, and you will see how various foods affect your blood glucose levels.
HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.
homehealth-uk.com
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.
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)
edit by Pipp to update link
Here is some info regarding blood glucose meters. Recommendation is that you test fasting levels on waking, then immediately before eating, and 2 hours after eating. Keep a record of what you numbers are, and what you have eaten, and you will see how various foods affect your blood glucose levels.
HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.
GlucoNavii Blood Sugar Meter Glucose Monitor Starter Kit | Choose mmol/L or mg/dL
The GlucoNavii Blood Sugar Meter gives a quick and accurate blood glucose level. This Blood Glucose meter comes with everything you need. Free UK delivery.
homehealth-uk.com
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.
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)
edit by Pipp to update link
catinahat
Well-Known Member
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- Halesowen
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Welcome @SalAnn
You nurse is sort of right, the meters are not as accurate as we would like. They all have to comply to the same standard, of +/-15%, so one is not going to be particularly more accurate than another, even if it was how would we know.
When it comes to choosing a meter, some come with all sorts of bells and whistles, Bluetooth and whatnot.
But when you are self funding it is the cost of the testing strips that you need to consider.
Testing around your meals is how you will discover what you can eat and what you need to avoid or limit.
Even with their inaccuracies, the information you get will be invaluable
So your nurse was right about the inaccuracy, but very wrong about the benefits of self testing and a low carb diet.
You nurse is sort of right, the meters are not as accurate as we would like. They all have to comply to the same standard, of +/-15%, so one is not going to be particularly more accurate than another, even if it was how would we know.
When it comes to choosing a meter, some come with all sorts of bells and whistles, Bluetooth and whatnot.
But when you are self funding it is the cost of the testing strips that you need to consider.
Testing around your meals is how you will discover what you can eat and what you need to avoid or limit.
Even with their inaccuracies, the information you get will be invaluable
So your nurse was right about the inaccuracy, but very wrong about the benefits of self testing and a low carb diet.
- Messages
- 11,319
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
@SalAnn , the recommendation by HCPs for people with T2 is not to use a meter is most likely due to cost to NHS. Many of our members use them, as this is the best way to understand how various foods affect their blood glucose levels. It is preferable to waiting for the irregular HbA1c tests Provided as part of the diabetes monitoring by HCPs, which only take place a couple of times a year. Monitoring with meter shows what is happening daily, whereas HbbA1c gives average over a couple of momths.
Likewise, the diet advice from HCPs is the ‘healthy diet’ recommended for general population. Those of us with T2 can find this problematic as carbohydrate foods have the effect of raising blood glucose levels.
There is some information in my signature, below my post, for new members. Have a read, come back and ask questions. Members are generally very helpful.
Likewise, the diet advice from HCPs is the ‘healthy diet’ recommended for general population. Those of us with T2 can find this problematic as carbohydrate foods have the effect of raising blood glucose levels.
There is some information in my signature, below my post, for new members. Have a read, come back and ask questions. Members are generally very helpful.
No she isn't. It's what type 1's on insulin use to base their doses on, and although they're not accurate to the decimal, they provide very useful and trustworthy information.
Well done taking the bull by the horns!
carty
Well-Known Member
I use the GluccoNavii monitor which I like it is easy to use It you text before a meal and 2 hours after so you learn what foods are ok for your blood glucose levels so after a while you have a good idea what is good or too high for what you want Trial and error but it helps you understand and control what you eat
Carol
Carol
Resurgam
Master
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- 10,123
- Type of diabetes
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I use a tee 2+ from Spirit Healthcare.
It doesn't really matter about accuracy as you need to see the alteration before and after eating in order to judge the suitability of the meal for your metabolism.
It doesn't really matter about accuracy as you need to see the alteration before and after eating in order to judge the suitability of the meal for your metabolism.
