Just started on Glicazide - when to test?

[Energize]

Hi
As subject line, I have just been started on Glicazide 40mgs twice a day. I also take Metformin, SR 1gm twice a day. I have been on Metformin for a few years but my Hba1c has gone up, mainly due to poor diet control. So, I'm really trying to 'be good' and eat a better diet etc, although there are a lot of other reasons for my poor diet control.

However, the Diabetes Nurse gave me a glucometer last Friday (Wow! I've been asking for one for a few years as I felt it was the best possible motivation factor for me). The nurse suggested that, to begin with, I check my blood sugar once a day but at no special time. I asked her to clarify that she meant random tests and, yes, that was what she meant. I asked if taking before meals might be more meaningful but she again said, 'No, random!'

My question is this. What is the benefit of checking a random blood sugar, rather than before a meal?

I really can't see her logic here and she clearly wasn't going to explain. I did a 'random' blood sugar was today at 12.30 because I felt so very hungry, slight hypo symptoms. It was earlier than I would have eaten my lunch hence checking my blood sugar. I discovererd it was only 4.7, when I was expecting it to be at least 6 or so

so, can anyone shed any light on the benefit of a random blood sugar, please, when I've obviouisly been running high anyway?

Many thanks for responses

 

[Daibell]

Hi. There isn't any benefit. You need to test at a set time, typically 2 hrs, after a meal. If you can afford the strips test just before the meal as well. Testing after the meal tells you something about the food you eat and what level of spiking you have. Having ramdon tests is no better and in fact worse than the HBa1C test which you will have anyway

 

[Energize]

Daibell, thanks for your reply

I'm not too bothered with the post-meal test at the moment, although I appreciate that is a very relevant reading. I'm more concerned that it comes down on the pre-meal tests and before-breakfast test as I've obviously been running too high.

I just can't get my head around why the Diabetes Nurse would say to do random tests. She presumably has a reason but, like I said, she wasn't forthcoming with an explaination when I asked. So strange. I think it a waste of time and resources so I'll only test as and when I feel it is relevant. I'm not being prescribed very many test strips but I have got my own machine (which I find much easier) so at least I can do extra. If necessary, I'll go back to see the GP I saw and ask him for more. Hmm, doubt they'll be prescribed though!

Thanks

 

[himtoo]

The best times to check are before breakfast, before lunch, before dinner, and before bedtime and 2 hours after a meal to see the effect of food on your glucose levels.

as you have been prescribed the glicazide you will have the test strips as glic has the ability to cause hypos.

 

[Lynmi]

Last July I was put onto Glicazide once per day in the morning with breakfast. The reason you have now been given a meter is because you could now start to go low. But don't expect to be able to test multiply times per day and get the strips on prescription as the doctors are only expecting you to test once per day( stupid I know) To start with I used to test about 3 hours after breakfast as I was feeling strange and testing then confirmed that I was going low. Now I now the feeling and am used to the tables it doesn't happen so often. so now instead of tested once every day and go through phases and some weeks wont test at all and the others I'll test multiple times per day to see how I an reacting to different food.

 

[))Denise((]

If you drive, you really need to test before driving, as although you do not have to tell the DVLA if you are on gliclazide, you do not want to have a hypo at the wheel.

 

[Energize]

Thanks to you all

So, I've not missed something re nurse saying to do random tests, then?
Thanks for the general informaiton too

Cheers