Have you been told not to test your blood sugars?

[Rothers03]

This is not about whether the NHS should, or can afford to, provide test strips on a permanent or temporary basis to non-T1 diabetics. Having read #EveryCloud ’s post, and so many more like it over the years on this forum, I wonder whether we could gather together examples of Healthcare Professionals who have told people that it is either unnecessary or just plain wrong to test their blood sugars. It is a scandal that needs highlighting.

Hi

 

[BisphamGirl]

Finally went on the Desmond course yesterday, was firmly told that there is no point testing when you are T2.
I of course argued back and asked how else am I supposed to identify what foods I am sensitive to.
Two blokes had been advised by their Diabetic Nurse to test (mine doesn't) and hadn't even thought about how their food choices made their BG up and down dramatically!!

 

[Flora123]

I was told to test 4 times a day when I was first diagnosed. I am still doing it and have up to now had strips in prescription. However my doc said that I should soon be testing only once a week! Gave me 100 strips and said that will last for over a year. It’s a shame as I totally rely on testing to gauge what affects me and what doesn’t.
Last weekend I was away staying with family and I’ve been high ever since. Was in the 5s for weeks and now in the 8s!! Not happy and don’t know how that has happened as I was so careful. How are you meant to know if only testing once a week.....or not at all?! I will self fund at vast expense if I’m not allowed further strips. I’m type 2 and no medication

 

[AJ1971]

I have started buying own strips for years now. I use a code free meter and the test strips are around £8 for 50 test strips or if you want to save more you can get 250 test strips for £33 works out as 13p per test. The meter is also quite cheap. I am planning to use these strips to test my levels. I am planning to do a morning test and then before and after food and at bed time. Also I am going to keep a food diary and record the results against each meals. Here is a link for codefree strips. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M0CI...olid=15FFQFLB4G7O2&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0068JA...d_r=898112e7-a6bc-11e8-8c55-2d361ed6bbcc&th=1

 

[AWilliams55]

I'm in the USA. When we check our glucose readings the numbers are different. For instance my last reading was 133. I notice in the UK you all have different monitors.

 

[pollensa]

This is not about whether the NHS should, or can afford to, provide test strips on a permanent or temporary basis to non-T1 diabetics. Having read #EveryCloud ’s post, and so many more like it over the years on this forum, I wonder whether we could gather together examples of Healthcare Professionals who have told people that it is either unnecessary or just plain wrong to test their blood sugars. It is a scandal that needs highlighting.

Absolutely, Excellent suggestion box! Its all about getting facts together from the "majority" to put forward to the system. I feel this should be the case from the professionals, time of diagnosing did they take 1 or 2 A1C tests especially when people had discordant first results and/or had normal finger testing consistency, and no symptoms? another portfolio to build up is knowing when people put forward fasting levels sharing those levels, what cut off are they using ie. 108mg/dl or 110mg/dl or USA 100mg/dl refer to D2 testing here.

Docs here in Mallorca inform when A1C received, no matter what the average blood glucose shows equating that A1C result just ignore, dont even look at it, so why is the lab demonstrating and putting it down on the test results if it is such a useless tool and information, docs are saying waste of time to check fingers, no need to test, A1C is gold standard, but that is not entirely true as I see it or black and white there are flaws, the USA state A1C is used but cannot be viewed Superior to finger test, the two are used in combination, Australia, only use the A1c as an added Tool for example along with finger testing...

Excellent suggestion box.........

 

[daisy22]

I have a pump so the only way to see if the pump is working ok is to test. I used to test 5-6 times a day but, thankfully now have a libre so only test when result is high, for ketones.

 

[LooperCat]

I'm in the USA. When we check our glucose readings the numbers are different. For instance my last reading was 133. I notice in the UK you all have different monitors.

Just divide your mg/dl by 18 to get our mmol/l

Your 133 would be our 7.4

 

[brassyblonde900]

For 2yrs, I did not want the nonsense they dispensed as advice at my GP's.
I kept up with my Eye, blood tests. Eventually I relented, believing that there was no harm in seeing what they have to say.
It was a new DN, she had an ego on her the size of a small nation.
I was WARNED not to test, because according to her my BG was normal, she came from the PCT to the practice and she was the expert to whom other DN's referred to for advice and guidance.

 

[benack1992]

My doctors have changed my meter to one that uses cheaper test strips because they said they couldn't afford to prescribe the ones I was on.
Obviously not a problem for me but really bad that this is now something they have to consider as it does mean some doctors will be taking shortcuts where they shouldn't so I think k asking people this is a good idea.

 

[Katiesgran]

At my annual review last week conducted by a Nurse Practitioner, she told me my HBA1C was up and what I had been doing to correct it. When I asked whether she could give me testing kit so that I could take control she told me that she could if I went on to gliclazide as well as metformin. I know that if I test I have much tighter control but find the attitude that you can be in control with one annual blood test ludicrous.

 

[Matin]

This is not about whether the NHS should, or can afford to, provide test strips on a permanent or temporary basis to non-T1 diabetics. Having read #EveryCloud ’s post, and so many more like it over the years on this forum, I wonder whether we could gather together examples of Healthcare Professionals who have told people that it is either unnecessary or just plain wrong to test their blood sugars. It is a scandal that needs highlighting.

I took CIPROFLOX I take insulin It gave me very odd reaction. How can I get rid off:

 

[Peadair O Brionn]

I was diagnosed in Feb 2018 . Told nothing just that I would have T2 for life and to take metformin and statins and I would be ok . Seen my GP about 4 weeks after diagnosis and told him I was stopping the meds after finding this forum .I wanted to do it by LCHF He gave me a meter and I get 50 strips a month on prescription but as I’m not on meds I have to pay prescription charges.I self fund the other 150 strips I need for the month at 45£ . I have never been seen by a Diabetic Specialist or a Podiatrist my go checked my feet and said I had nothing to worry about . I’ve worked hard and got my HbA1c down to 39 last August . Gonna have a go at getting some more strips from GP next visit in November . Can’t understand if you are fighting the illness and winning why can’t they support your efforts instead of obstructing you . It surely saves the NHS a fortune if you are in good control or in remission

 

[Diawara]

I was diagnosed in Feb 2018 . Told nothing just that I would have T2 for life and to take metformin and statins and I would be ok . Seen my GP about 4 weeks after diagnosis and told him I was stopping the meds after finding this forum .I wanted to do it by LCHF He gave me a meter and I get 50 strips a month on prescription but as I’m not on meds I have to pay prescription charges.I self fund the other 150 strips I need for the month at 45£ . I have never been seen by a Diabetic Specialist or a Podiatrist my go checked my feet and said I had nothing to worry about . I’ve worked hard and got my HbA1c down to 39 last August . Gonna have a go at getting some more strips from GP next visit in November . Can’t understand if you are fighting the illness and winning why can’t they support your efforts instead of obstructing you . It surely saves the NHS a fortune if you are in good control or in remission

you were diagnosed same time as me that speil about metformin for life etc got me.... i was 12.5 in feb, 5.5 in june and 5.3 about three weeks ago... off metformin since 29 may ..when i get time i will sent copies of hb1ac to the diabetic nurses who told me id be on it for life...

 

[MillieT]

for quite some time I was told not to test due to managing by diet though that has changed now seeing as I am on insulin

 

[Bluetit1802]

for quite some time I was told not to test due to managing by diet though that has changed now seeing as I am on insulin

The sad thing is, had you been testing properly, it is possible you may have avoided insulin.

 

[wiltshirekit]

I worked hard to get my own Blood Glucose levels down and under control only to be told that I needn't bother to test anymore and that the test strips would not be available to me (I'm Type 2) on the NHS.
Unfortunately they are far to expensive to buy outright so I'm simply forced by the NHS to give up testing altogether.
The irony of this policy is that careful B/G monitoring saves the NHS money in the long term and if I were to let thing go out of control I would get my FREE B/G test strips and cost the NHS much more.
Seems to me like the lunatics have finally taken over the Asylum.

I have also been told I cannot

 

[wiltshirekit]

I have just been told I can't have anymore strips, although I only came off insulin for my T2 only a year ago, on the understanding from my previous doctor that I watch my blood gluecose levels. I had found that taking insulin meant I was feeding it and levels were very volatile. Since ceasing insulin, my averages have been a bit higher 6 to 8, but far more consistant. I have never seen my new GP , who has doubled my Metformin to 1000mg twice a day. I now await an appointment, but have found this increase has caused constant and fairly severe tummy upsets. Surely, not the time to stop me testing to check effects.

 

[Wanderer101]

I worked hard to get my own Blood Glucose levels down and under control only to be told that I needn't bother to test anymore and that the test strips would not be available to me (I'm Type 2) on the NHS.
Unfortunately they are far to expensive to buy outright so I'm simply forced by the NHS to give up testing altogether.
The irony of this policy is that careful B/G monitoring saves the NHS money in the long term and if I were to let thing go out of control I would get my FREE B/G test strips and cost the NHS much more.
Seems to me like the lunatics have finally taken over the Asylum.

Hi I’ve had a letter from our surgery telling me they are stopping me ordering strips as hba1c every 6 months is all I need. Always found it useful to test to know where I am and adjust if necessary, I probably only test once a day so not using massive resources. I suppose there is nothing I can do just accept it. I can’t afford to buy but if there was a cheaper option on strips I would definitely buy

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi I’ve had a letter from our surgery telling me they are stopping me ordering strips as hba1c every 6 months is all I need. Always found it useful to test to know where I am and adjust if necessary, I probably only test once a day so not using massive resources. I suppose there is nothing I can do just accept it. I can’t afford to buy but if there was a cheaper option on strips I would definitely buy

The meters with the cheapest strips are the Codefree and the Tee 2.
They are popular meters for self funding T2's

Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk. (applied at the check out stage)
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

The Tee2+ is here

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product-category/shop/tee2/


Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)