So many tow this party line of - you don't need a meter...don't need to test....I'm thinking that if these cost 25p each we would all be given them right away! If we don't have meters, how are we ever meant to know what our levels are at any given time, which foods have greatest impact on our levels...we would be solely relying on the tests our doctors/nurses do every blue moon..while damage is being done in between these tests. Fortunately, a couple of my renal doctors are far more progressive, and the diabetes specialist I was referred to was totally on the ball. They all favour me testing as and when I feel it is important to do so. I was testing up to 8 times a day at one point until I established what worked for me and got my levels right down... now I test maybe 3 times a day at key points. If you don't test, you rely on others...or you accept the advice of others who tell you (in my view correctly, not to eat bread, spuds, cereal, pasta, rice and any kind of simple carbohydrate as they turn to sugar in the blood). If you want to be in control...you need to inform yourself, and you need to manage your own diet in relation to your everyday test results. You do need a meter, whatever you are being told by people who do not have the problem themselves. My doctors tell me the sole reason there is hesitancy to give them out (apart from cost) is that people may get stressed if readings are high..ridiculous...I am not a child...and that's for me to decide. My advice is try your doctor..try again..of unsuccessful buy one (ask here about options)....and start to get your levels down. it's worth the small investment if you have to. how else are you going to know? I sympathise, really, as do many here I am certain. Good luck.
It is usually every 6 months - providing all is OK! But, you should receive a letter nearer the time of your next review asking you to have your bloods done, then make an appointment about a week later.
