Hi had gestational diabetes twice and now been told have prediabetes, levels were 6.1 fasting and hba1ç of 46. Nurse just said cut back on carbs and increase exercise. Just wondered if anyone found getting a glucose monitor useful? Obviously when I was pregnant I got one and was handy but with prediabetes would it show increases in sugar the same? Feel a little baffled by it all!!
Hi new to prediabetes
- Thread starter Lovespud198
- Start Date
Alison Campbell
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- 1,443
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
I found getting meter really help to see what was pushing my glucose levels up. Tagging @daisy1 for a new member welcome for you.
As your fasting is very borderline normal but your HBA1C is closer to 48 the threshold for diagnosis of diabetes I would think a meter would be helpful to you. I'll dig around for details of the popular meters on the forum with the cheapest strips.
Don't feel baffled you probably know a lot from GD, have a good read around the forum and ask lot of questions.
As your fasting is very borderline normal but your HBA1C is closer to 48 the threshold for diagnosis of diabetes I would think a meter would be helpful to you. I'll dig around for details of the popular meters on the forum with the cheapest strips.
Don't feel baffled you probably know a lot from GD, have a good read around the forum and ask lot of questions.
Thank you for reply, it's been 4 years since had gd so trying to remember it all! The nurse was just really brief, she has referred me to a pre diabetes course so hopefully that will be more clear. Thanks about the glucose meter,my mum has offered to buy me one for Xmas!!! 
I have had glucose in my urine for a few years especially after breakfast as well so don't know if I can't tolerate it well?
Alison Campbell
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,443
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
It's good to get a meter but the stips are the real cost This is from @Bluetit1802
Many people on here use either the Codefree or the Tee2 because the test strips are the cheapest on the market. You can pay between about £7-50 and £30 for 50 strips, so you need to be very careful.
You can't buy them in pharmacies.
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.
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
The Tee2 is here and the meter is free.
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
Many people on here use either the Codefree or the Tee2 because the test strips are the cheapest on the market. You can pay between about £7-50 and £30 for 50 strips, so you need to be very careful.
You can't buy them in pharmacies.
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.
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
The Tee2 is here and the meter is free.
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
Alison Campbell
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,443
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
I have read that sugar does not show up in urine unless you are in double figures, what are you eating for breakfast?
Please pop in tomorrow for Daisy's post it has all the basics you need to know and was compiled by many members
Please pop in tomorrow for Daisy's post it has all the basics you need to know and was compiled by many members
Normally weetabix or porridge with no added sugar, my after breakfast readings were always high with gd, nurse said as I'd fasted for so long the hit of carbs was too much, I work in a lab so do test wee occasionally and always positive after breakfast. Told the doctors this years ago and they didn't have a problem with it??!!
Alison Campbell
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,443
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Well once you get your meter you can see how these breakfasts effect you. Porridge spiked me to 13 which was a shock as it was not instant.
daisy1
Legend
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@Lovespud198
Hello and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 259,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.
Hello and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 259,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
- Reduce your carbohydrate intake
- Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
- structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
- self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.
- Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
- Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
Smallbrit
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 284
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
I'm kind of in the same boat as you - had GD (in US) and then diagnosed with prediabetes when moved back to UK(a gap of 8 years...)
Hope the meter all works out - I have one on my Christmas list. I had same advice from GP, and cutting carbs (kind of) and exercise (kind of) without a monitor and regular testing at dr worked for me for a few years, with things no better, no worse, until this year when I veered off doing that. Now I'm majorly cutting carbs but panicking without a monitor - it does take a lot of stress out of wondering if what you are doing is working.
Hope the meter all works out - I have one on my Christmas list. I had same advice from GP, and cutting carbs (kind of) and exercise (kind of) without a monitor and regular testing at dr worked for me for a few years, with things no better, no worse, until this year when I veered off doing that. Now I'm majorly cutting carbs but panicking without a monitor - it does take a lot of stress out of wondering if what you are doing is working.
It's certainly been an eye opener, when I had gd my fasting bloods were normal and fine,no problems,since testing now I've realised how high they are which is concerning,my after meal readings arent too bad though, they seem to be worse when I've had a bad night or ill as well,only partially done them over Xmas so will hopefully see more patterns in the next few weeks z
