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Meters and When Best to Use Them

MissPooh

MissPooh

Well-Known Member
Messages
171
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I've ordered my meter - when do I use to get the best most meaningful results from it?
 
Type 2s are often not encouraged to test, but if you want to, then pretty much demand that you get strips from your GP. They should not be able to refuse you.

Most Type 1s blood test more-or-less before each meal, and sometimes do a little extra test mid-morning, mid-afternoon and before bed.
 
I'm type 2, I want to monitor my BG levels so I get some kind of idea how my body is reacting to the LCFF lifestyle I'm trying to follow.

I ordered strips when I ordered my meter, so I should hopefully get them soon.
 
1) First thing in the morning before showering or eating anything.
2) Immediately before first bite of a meal you want to test the impact of
3) Two hours after starting to eat that meal
4) Bed time

Some meals you might want to try +1 and +3 as well, to see when the spike maxes, but +2 is conventional.

The difference between 1) and 4) will let you know if you have significant liver dumps (dawn phenomenon).

HTH
 
i,m type 2. i test as soon as i get up. then before eating each meal and test 2 hours after each meal
 
Thank you - it's such a learning curve Id just like to tell if I'm on the right road or not.

@sanguine what are liver dumps - sound painful!! :***:
 
MissPooh said:
@sanguine what are liver dumps - sound painful!! :***:
Click to expand...

It's a natural process where the liver produces glucose before the rigours of the day start (hunting, gathering, shopping, that sort of thing). With diabetes it can produce annoying fasting blood sugars higher than the night before which can be a bit puzzling if you don't know about it. If you search on the forum for 'Dawn Phenomenon' (posh phrase for it) there is much more info.
 
Usually a T2 trying to get testing strips out of the NHS = wall, head, banging :banghead:
Myself I feel it's a worthwhile expense with the Codefree. Possibly even life enhancing.
Testing procedure as already advised above.
Tell us how you get on.
 
Hi don't know if nhs Wales is different but I'm fairly recently diagnosed t2 and got a meter not enough strips to last the month though. I have been testing before each meal and 2 hrs after
 
I'm Welsh so can I write and ask for some to be sent over the border?
 
I test
  • (usually) first thing when I wake up
  • Immediately before a meal
  • 2 hours after
  • occasionally also 1 hour after if I'm eating a new food that may be higher carb than normal
I don't do a bedtime test as such as I eat supper.

Keep a food diary or at least a note of what (carby) food give you a higher than normal spike and avoid or reduce portion size.

Robbity
 
I have made it my practice to guess the BG before I test . and I and pretty close most of the time,
as a result I test very seldom.. I am on HFLC its working well.
 
jason134 said:
Hi don't know if nhs Wales is different but I'm fairly recently diagnosed t2 and got a meter not enough strips to last the month though. I have been testing before each meal and 2 hrs after
Click to expand...
You won your battle to get strips on the NHS I think? Well done!
 
Lol.. I must confess to never having a problem getting the meter I require and enough strips. But then I do have a nerve problem that affects both hands.I also suffered with nerve problems from chemotherapy.I presented my case to the diabetes nurse and have the accu chek mobile and 200 strips a month.No problem using a hammer but fiddly strips and using a pen is b***dy funny to watch. :banghead::banghead:
 
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