Have you been told not to test your blood sugars?

[Jenny 105]

''Eat normally'' I was told initially. What did that mean to an underweight Type 1.5 ? or maybe type 2
You cant have any more strips Uve used too many ?
So what was i and what am i now to do. Im still underweight 45kg ish. I Have readings fluctuating from 5.6 to 15. (On insulin i had under 4 but the monitor was found to be faulty- and by then i could have strips cos of the 1x insulin)
why does nobody tell us what it is we are / or arent aiming for and when and when not to test and for what

 

[ianf0ster]

@Jenny 105 Nearly all Type 1's are told to eat normally and to cover the carbohydrates with Insulin - which does actually make some sense. If it were not for (in most cases) there being so much smaller chance of error in calculating the Insulin required if eating fewer carbs.
[ I know that not all will agree with me in advocating Type 1's trying Low Carb - even in this forum].

Type 2's are nearly all told to eat even lower fat, even more wholegrains, even more fruit- when those all (even low fat - because you have to replace it with something) raise blood glucose!
Very rarely do I hear of a Type 2 who isn't discouraged from testing their BG. The exceptions are those on medications which directly lower glucose (such as Insulin or Gliclazide). The NHS say that only if there is a danger of death should a Type 2 have the opportunity of adjusting their meals so as to go into remission.
Changing these attitudes will take many more years, but change is happening led by Public Health Collaboration, Dr David Unwin. Low Carb Freshwell and others in the NHS and both this and the 'Blue Forum'. I and several members from this forum have turned the Blue Forum into much more of a Low Carb test BG type of place (despite the stubbornness of several of it's longer term participants).

Don't fret about what your GP does or doesn't say about your diabetes. Use your knowledge from here to check whether it actually makes sense or not. It you can't get the test strips, buy yourself a decent BG meter with cheaper test strips (such as SD Gluco Navii or Spirit TEE2+) and test as much as you need! You can (to a large extent) control your own diabetes, if you want to - but it has already proven that you just can't sit back and expect the NHS to do it for you - they are too busy pushing drugs!

 

[Jenny 105]

@Jenny 105 Nearly all Type 1's are told to eat normally and to cover the carbohydrates with Insulin - which does actually make some sense. If it were not for (in most cases) there being so much smaller chance of error in calculating the Insulin required if eating fewer carbs.
[ I know that not all will agree with me in advocating Type 1's trying Low Carb - even in this forum].

Type 2's are nearly all told to eat even lower fat, even more wholegrains, even more fruit- when those all (even low fat - because you have to replace it with something) raise blood glucose!
Very rarely do I hear of a Type 2 who isn't discouraged from testing their BG. The exceptions are those on medications which directly lower glucose (such as Insulin or Gliclazide). The NHS say that only if there is a danger of death should a Type 2 have the opportunity of adjusting their meals so as to go into remission.
Changing these attitudes will take many more years, but change is happening led by Public Health Collaboration, Dr David Unwin. Low Carb Freshwell and others in the NHS and both this and the 'Blue Forum'. I and several members from this forum have turned the Blue Forum into much more of a Low Carb test BG type of place (despite the stubbornness of several of it's longer term participants).

Don't fret about what your GP does or doesn't say about your diabetes. Use your knowledge from here to check whether it actually makes sense or not. It you can't get the test strips, buy yourself a decent BG meter with cheaper test strips (such as SD Gluco Navii or Spirit TEE2+) and test as much as you need! You can (to a large extent) control your own diabetes, if you want to - but it has already proven that you just can't sit back and expect the NHS to do it for you - they are too busy pushing drugs!

Thanks for this , useful info here. Im unusal in that I want to put my weight up to about 57kg. from the 45.5 that it was . Also it appears that my way of approaching this puzzle might be masking what is really going on .

 

[Eddie83]

Patricia21 has it right. I was told its unnecessary. Initially I tested to see what food was right for me and I got my readings into normal. I the switched to mornings only for my day start point. Now to Sunday only. I see regular testing without reason as a comfort tool. What I look for is occasional testing for reassurance. Yes they are expensive, the cost of "living"

 

[Welshman1952]

In 2016 the diabetic nurse told me I didn't need to test and at that time my Hba1c was 56. I ignored her and tested until it dropped to 38 and was in total remission - then I relaxed disciplines and stopped testing.

On Dec 2nd I had the results of my latest test and it came back as 101!! At that time my fasting BG was 14.2mmol. Since then I have restored disciplines and tested regularly bring my fasting BG down to 8.8. Still a way to go but it's getting better.

The bottom line here is please don't make my mistake and test regularly. It's a nuisance but it is worth it

 

[PenguinMum]

In 2016 the diabetic nurse told me I didn't need to test and at that time my Hba1c was 56. I ignored her and tested until it dropped to 38 and was in total remission - then I relaxed disciplines and stopped testing.

On Dec 2nd I had the results of my latest test and it came back as 101!! At that time my fasting BG was 14.2mmol. Since then I have restored disciplines and tested regularly bring my fasting BG down to 8.8. Still a way to go but it's getting better.

The bottom line here is please don't make my mistake and test regularly. It's a nuisance but it is worth it

Completely agree with you and don’t understand why the NHS don’t advocate regular testing for T2. With their buying power they could provide meters and strips and encourage patients to manage their Diabetes with regular check ups. I do wonder how much less T2 would cost in complications. Well done you for taking back control.

 

[JenniferM55]

Completely agree with you and don’t understand why the NHS don’t advocate regular testing for T2. With their buying power they could provide meters and strips and encourage patients to manage their Diabetes with regular check ups. I do wonder how much less T2 would cost in complications. Well done you for taking back control.

Completely agree, I pay over £17 for 100 strips (through Amazon, the cheapest I can find, of which so far haven't had a quality problem) which lasts about a month if I'm lucky, it would even be a great help if they were VAT free.

 

[HSSS]

Completely agree, I pay over £17 for 100 strips (through Amazon, the cheapest I can find, of which so far haven't had a quality problem) which lasts about a month if I'm lucky, it would even be a great help if they were VAT free.

They should be vat free for anyone diagnosed diabetic. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/vat-exemption.html gives link to assistance pages etc

 

[AloeSvea]

Yes, in the global community - nations's regulations on this one differ wildly. As far as I know, last time I checked, Sweden has the best diabetes care in the European Union at least, so is probaby, arguably, the best in the world. In Sweden, when I last lived there, (admittedly the years are clocking up now as in how long ago it was) type two diabetics were routinely prescribed, free of charge, and posted no questions asked routinely and regularly, test strips and lancets, as was all the blood glucose testing paraphernalia kept up to date. The standard of diabetes-specialist nursing was extremely high. I feel very privileged to have experienced that level of diabetes care.

It must be noted - taxes are high there. But imho - you get a lot back, especially if one has the bad luck to get a chronic metabolic disease, as with T2D, or a chronic auto immune disease, as is T1D.

 

[Theophane]

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 read mine everyday, in Malaysia where I live to do it it is at my own cost, although the doctor does see my readings each time I visit. I am 75 and have set a target of bringing my HBA1C to 5.5 so I read everyday to ensure I am keeping my blood sugar down and it is most certainly a smart or rather the right thing to do.

 

[SusieWillow]

Yes, in the global community - nations's regulations on this one differ wildly. As far as I know, last time I checked, Sweden has the best diabetes care in the European Union at least, so is probaby, arguably, the best in the world. In Sweden, when I last lived there, (admittedly the years are clocking up now as in how long ago it was) type two diabetics were routinely prescribed, free of charge, and posted no questions asked routinely and regularly, test strips and lancets, as was all the blood glucose testing paraphernalia kept up to date. The standard of diabetes-specialist nursing was extremely high. I feel very privileged to have experienced that level of diabetes care.

It must be noted - taxes are high there. But imho - you get a lot back, especially if one has the bad luck to get a chronic metabolic disease, as with T2D, or a chronic auto immune disease, as is T1D.

Sweden always insists on blood testing regularly. In that way it’s very good here. In UK they are trying to save money. You can’t possibly keep an eye on your diabetes without testing. It’s impossible and unrealistic. Everyone is different and has different reactions. Metabolism is harder and harder to understand from person to person depending on HOW they. The only way to see how different foods (eaten in different ways) affect individuals IS to test a lot! UK is putting money before diabetics welfare. This is not a guessing game. I guess in UK there are no diabetic doctors??
I wonder how they manage?

 

[AloeSvea]

I agree, @SusieWillow. And not just the affect of food and drink, but emotions, exercise - all the stuff that can affect our blood glucose.

And yes, it's about money. So the diabetic doctors would just pay! If they wanted to find out that information. Money is definitely a relative thing, and the doctors I know have plenty of it .

 

[Outlier]

It's about time, too. Our appointments are not allowed to be long, so little/nothing is discussed and there isn't time for us to be seen as individuals. It's usually "take these and shove off".

 

[Grandadfatboy]

When I was diagnosed with type 2 back in 2006, I was given a BG meter, strips to test with, and needles to jab my finger. Needles and test strips were added to my repeat prescription that day and I have had no issues ordering further supplies. At the time I was testing once or twice a week.

I don't know if the fact I was a HGV driver had any bearing on my never having issues receiving more supplies.

 

[jjraak]

Bei

When I was diagnosed with type 2 back in 2006, I was given a BG meter, strips to test with, and needles to jab my finger. Needles and test strips were added to my repeat prescription that day and I have had no issues ordering further supplies. At the time I was testing once or twice a week.

I don't know if the fact I was a HGV driver had any bearing on my never having issues receiving more supplies.

Being on insulin, maybe the decider ?

 

[jackson cooper]

Hey there,

As someone managing diabetes, I can relate to the rollercoaster of blood glucose levels. Typically, the normal range for fasting blood glucose levels falls between 70 to 100 mg/dL or 3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L. For me, hitting around 5.6 mmol/L in the morning feels like a win. But hey, we're all different, and our bodies have their own rhythm. Let's support each other through this journey!

 

[jackson cooper]

Yes, I was told testing is unnecessary for type 2's not on insulin by my nurse.

Hey everyone,

I had a bit of a puzzling conversation with my doctor recently, and I thought I'd share it here to see if anyone else has had similar experiences.

So, first, my doctor told me that only type 1 diabetics should regularly test their blood glucose levels. Then, without missing a beat, they asked me what my highest reading was. It left me scratching my head a bit!

To add to the confusion, they mentioned that if my readings ever go above 11, I should make an appointment immediately. Now, here's the kicker: I'm not even diagnosed as type 2 yet. I'm still in the pre-diabetic stage, according to my doctor, but I manage to keep my HbA1c low through low-carb eating and regular testing.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? It's like I'm being given conflicting advice here. Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

 

[ElenaP]

To add to the confusion, they mentioned that if my readings ever go above 11, I should make an appointment immediately. Now, here's the kicker: I'm not even diagnosed as type 2 yet. I'm still in the pre-diabetic stage, according to my doctor, but I manage to keep my HbA1c low through low-carb eating and regular testing.

I find it confusing that your profile says 'Type 1 on tablets', and your text says 'pre-diabetic'.

 

[Jordi77]

If you use tablets and are type 2 your GP will always advice you not to test your sugars but most diabetics go against the advice and do even if it costs you money but if you take insulin you have to test your sugars at least 4 to 8 times a day and if you are lucky enough to get a Libre 2 sensor and app from your hospital and then GP on prescription then it's done every 15 minutes on it due to the memory on the sensor into which I'm lucky enough to get due to being on insulin and more or less being in hospital due to my diabetes putting me there more times than enough for my sugars being high and ketones in my body and it's nothing I'm doing wrong just that my body rejects the insulin and that sends my sugars high and ketones high and that's why I ended up testing 8 times a day and it is easier with a Libre sensor than pricking your fingers and getting blood out and squeezing them and they don't bleed because it has happened to me but when I have been on tablets or diet I to was told not to test until the hospital said otherwise and prescribed test strips and Lancet's and I changed my blood meter for the newest one when I can by the same company

 

[Jasmin2000]

Was told by the GP practice nurse on receiving the holy CGM, that I didn't need to do finger pricks anymore. - since which time I've done just as many as before to control the CGM or to get a more rapid BG result. She needs offing and I've reported her to the GP.