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Glucose Testing

L

linkwood

Member
Messages
11
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Several folks on here have maintained that Glucose blood testing is essential.

Reason I'm asking is that I'm not on metformin, however I did experience a minor hypo a couple weeks back - got very shaky and the "world seemed really a bit odd" if that makes any sense. I stopped in by a shop and bought something to eat and drink and was right as rain in 10

It would have been good to know exactly what my blood sugar was doing at that point

I described it tot he nurse and asked if I should test - but again the answer has been an emphatic NO for testing. That's four times they have said "No, don't test" They seem to be emphatically opposed to it
 
You don't mention if you're on any medicine. If you're on any that might be lowering your BG levels, you should be testing, to help identify and avoid hypos.

More generally, this forum recommends that all T2s should test, but for a different reason. T2s need to know how what they eat affects their BG levels, with regard to pushing their sugar up. They can then avoid those foods, for better control.

GPs, DSNs etc tend to be against testing, because they think it will only make someone anxious. This may be true for some, but not for the kind of people who come to this forum for help. You'll find horror stories on here, but not from the people themselves, people who think 'doctor knows best'. Usually someone associated with them, wishing they'd take more resposibility for their condition.
Geoff
 
If you can afford it I would just buy my own strips and Glucometer and test when you start feeling odd. You're correct - It's good to know exactly what your blood sugar was doing at that point. It's also important to know just how much you need to eat to bring your BG s to a safe level and testing would assist you in doing that.

I have experienced a reluctance among many health professionals to enable their patients to treat themselves or diagnose themselves.

Anyway - beside the cost of the strips and glucometer - testing yourself will not cause any harm and could very well be beneficial.
 
Just my opinion, but it's your body not your DN's and I'm pretty sure that if she were in your position she'd want to know what her BG is doing especially if she'd experienced hypo symptoms.

You (not her) will be the one that could develop diabetic complications. If you are paying for your meter/strips then go for it. Not testing is like driving a car without a fuel gauge or speedo.
 
test and get control--- and by the way read also on the subject "false hypo" as when one is used to having high numbers one can get an expperience og hypo even when being higher than a medically difined hypo... but if you usually is in the normal low area that is of cause not the case.. but how would you ever know if you do not measure your daily numbers... you don´t have to obey the diabeetic nurse or doctor and there is certainly no harm done in knowing wat ones daily numbers are, but as a type 2 on no medication we have to pay for the sticks ourselves..I do that gladly I would never have had normal numbers without my meter
 
Hi I agree with what Fletchweb said if you can just buy a meter and test strips and test your self you don't even have to mention it to your dsn etc this is entirely up to you if it gives you peace of mind go ahead.
 
Thanks guys. Had wondered why they were so adamantly against it

hb1ac was 41 this week

Down from 53. I've lost 7kg too.
 
linkwood said:
Thanks guys. Had wondered why they were so adamantly against it

hb1ac was 41 this week

Down from 53. I've lost 7kg too.
Click to expand...
Sounds like what your doing is working.
BG shouldn't get too low unless your on meds, its usually due to a rebound of taking too much for what you've eaten..
I ordered one of these http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/ just to try one really.
It was free along 10 strips and with everything you need to get started.
50 strips are £7.75 as an ongoing cost if you decide you want to keep using it.
 
I had some wobbly moments when my blood glucose was going down - I ate a few grapes to get rid of them for an hour or so, but needed to do that a few times before it went away.
I suspect that my blood glucose levels were fine but not what I was used to, and now that expectations are altered I don't get the wobblies, it was just a matter of adjustment.
 
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