monitoring blood sugar

[REVRUTH]

Hi
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last year-have been through all the tests and for one check up with diabetes nurse-she wants to see me again in about 6 months. But nothing was said about monitoring my blood sugar levels myself or having them checked at the surgery in between the 6 monthly checks-is this because I'm only just into the "diabetes range" having been pre-diabetic for a number of years. Or am I supposed to do the monitoring anyway, and if so, how often? I feel as though I ought to be more worried and careful than I am, but the practice nurse was so laid back, I'm not sure if just taking the metformin and trying (!) to manage my diet is enough.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. If your last HBa1C blood test wasn't too bad then they won't re-check for 6 months or a year. The NHS doesn't encourage self-testing due to cost and a bit of professional arrogance. Were you told what your last HBa1C test result was assuming they did in fact do an HBa1C? I would get hold of a meter yourself and do some occasional tests 2 hours after a meal to check that your diet is right for you. Just having Metformin and doing the diet is probably OK at the moment with diet being the most important. If your self-test readings go above 8.5'ish then you might want to setup an earlier blood test and appointment with the nurse?