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New to all this

Ceppo

Well-Known Member
Messages
124
Location
West Yorkshire, UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Well I now have my monitor and all the geegaws that go with it. It all looks very intimidating. I've not had any education on this except from all you good people here, so a few questions.

I have the average score of 100 and had the fasting glucose test yesterday. I will probably get the result of that on Monday. Does it seem a good idea to wait until I have that official base level before frightening myself by starting to test and being shocked by the results?

What would you suggest I start off doing eg how many times a day?
How much does anxiety about the level before doing the test raise the score?

What's the best way to start for the first time?

Thank you.
 
Some people start on waking. This can be quite high due to the dawn phenomenon.

The most important times to test are immediately before you eat and again 2 hours after the first bite. You are looking for a rise of 2 assuming you are in the UK. If the rise is more then your meal was too carby or the quantity was too large.

Don't prick the pad on your finger. Do the side near to the nail.

Edited to add. Download the mysugr app and record your food and numbers. The app is free. It is really helpful.
 
Does it seem a good idea to wait until I have that official base level before frightening myself by starting to test and being shocked by the results?
Don't be shocked or frightened by the results. They're just information, no more, no less.
If you see high numbers, they only tell you you need to change something, not that you've done wrong!

Personally, I'd start by testing before and two hours after some of my meals to see how they affect you, and not with a morning test. The morning number is not something you can do much about but the content of your meals is!
Even if the numbers are on the high side, seeing they haven't gone up much after a particular meal will tell you you've made a good decision on that meal. If you see a large rise between before and after meal numbers you might want to change something in the components of that particular meal next time.

Good luck!
 
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