I was diagnosed as T2 going on T1. with strong insulin resistance [I am 65] my MMol was usually 9-18. My Doc wanted to put me on metformin but I felt this was masking the problem not solving it. Did a lot of research. Lots..
I am T2 and have always had a meter and test strips, in NZ GPs give them out to all T2 diabetics so they can learn about the illness and in case they need to check while they are sick, eg tummy flu. We are allowed a box of test strips free per month. I certainly agree with testing up to 8 times a day for as long as needed, to learn what to eat and not eat. In my case this was a few months.
I don't agree that paying for every T2 diabetic to have 8 or more free test strips a day forever is necessarily a good use of public health money. Theoretically, as long as the person knew what to eat to keep their diabetes under control, then regular blood tests ordered by the doctor and occasional home testing should be enough testing to manage the risk of complications. If a large number of test strips were made free for everyone, that would cost a lot of money, that would not be available for specialist appointments, insulin, tablets, GP visits, etc. Both extremes are bad - no free test strips, or free test strips for everyone. Drawing the line somewhere in between is more rational.
I tested a lot when I was first learning about diabetes. Now that my HbA1c sits around the high 30s/low 40s I just don't need to test every day. I'm bored with the results, I'm not interested in constantly finding out that my BGs are fairly normal. It doesn't add value. But it's good to have a few test strips there in case I want to know for some reason.
I fully agree that when a doctor or nurse tells someone they should not ever test, that is rubbish, and harmful advice. It's also not what the NICE guidelines actually say.
Actually, the Pharmac Schedule is quite clear, 50 test strips available per prescription. The MOH guidelines are also clear that meters and test strips can be given to T2s. If you are in NZ and your GP didn't offer them, then I suggest trying a different GP, and if necessary showing them these two sources:Actually, all GPs in NZ do not give out a meter and test strips to all T2 diabetics. And there is no official allowance of one box of 50 test strips per month. You have been lucky with your GP, and treatment, and perhaps your pharmacists! The official line is
(from recent correspondence with a NZ GP): "Unfortunately the blood glucose metre and strips in NZ are only funded if you are a diabetic and on sulphonylurea medications." Diabetes.org.nz was rather less forthcoming with info - "Pharmac is the government agency that decides what medicines and related products are subsidised for us in the community and public hospitals. They can be contacted on enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz or 0800 660 050". But my own NZ GP says the same thing as Dr quoted above, as does a very gruff but straight talking NZ pharmacist I spoke to about the issue.
There are some wonderful Practice Nurses, and formal Diabetes Educator Nurses who do in fact give out blood glucose meters , which can then be backed up by sympathetic doctors, pharmacists, and many practice nurses. But you, me, and those medical professionals are playing fast and loose with official guidelines. Thank goodness!
I got my meter as part of one of the government-health-service self-management courses, which although preach the ghastly food pyramid and 1/4 plate of carbs at every meal, ARE very good in many other ways - just not on diet. (Reading labels, reading the meter! Discussing emotions, and activity possibilities.) And the practice nurse of my much appreciated much trusted GP has been very supportive, as has a pharmacist. But it is not entirely 'kosher'. More's the pity!
There is much room for healthy lobbying in NZ, also, when it comes to promoting self-management and tight control of BG for diabetics.
Also, I do want to say, good health support from the medical profession, and perhaps from other diabetics! should not be in the form of big pronouncements on what is reasonable or good for everyone, especially when it comes to the expenditure of public funds. And the use of test strips! Although, I am very aware that I am also being prescriptive by saying - I do not support being prescriptive!And I must say - particularly on the grounds of boredom!
I am lucky that I also live in a country (Sweden) that allows me a very generous supply of test strips, officially. I know what it means when this crucial part of my treatment is not a hassle to procure at all, and is supported by the country/tax payers and the medical practitioners. (It is quite simply - wonderful.)
But before anyone erroneously believes Sweden to be a diabetics' nirvana - many other health services that NZ does easily and generously (like blood tests!) (not to mention accessibility to either a doctor or a practice nurse) - Sweden has its own very real deficiencies. And even though it is THE country for LCHF - that does not mean a diabetic doesn't have to listen to 20 minutes on how to eat bread as part of an official diabetes-management course. (Is there anywhere THAT advanced yet? Not as far as I can see!) (And I say that as someone who regularly crosses the globe with my T2D :-/.)
I personally use testing my blood glucose HUGELY as part of my gaining as tight control as possible. I would have a very enthusiastic conversation with any health professional, not to mention another diabetic! who wanted to tell me exactly how many test strips I should be using on public health per day! I believe, quite rightly, that what I am doing now is preventative of what could be huge costs to not just me in terms of my life, but to the health services of the countries I live in. Kidney dialysis is very expensive, hospital stays for hypoglycemia/ketoacidocis, CVD etc - very expensive. As is treatment for being blind, amputations etc, less we forget. The test strips I am using in the first years of my diabetes, I hope, will be preventative of dire complications and expensive treatments by allowing me great insight into the affect of food and activity on my wonky blood glucose, that will stay with me for the rest of my life. And because I am only in my early 50s - I hope that will be many many years more.
I say - yay for test strips generously dispensed on public health!
(Lobbying the companies that charge a fortune for them is another matter!)
Actually, the Pharmac Schedule is quite clear, 50 test strips available per prescription. The MOH guidelines are also clear that meters and test strips can be given to T2s. If you are in NZ and your GP didn't offer them, then I suggest trying a different GP, and if necessary showing them these two sources:
http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/Schedule?osq=Blood glucose diagnostic test strip&code=C0115073802
and pp. 58-59 of:
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/nz-primary-care-handbook-2012.pdf
Actually, the Pharmac Schedule is quite clear, 50 test strips available per prescription. The MOH guidelines are also clear that meters and test strips can be given to T2s. If you are in NZ and your GP didn't offer them, then I suggest trying a different GP, and if necessary showing them these two sources:
http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/Schedule?osq=Blood glucose diagnostic test strip&code=C0115073802
and pp. 58-59 of:
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/nz-primary-care-handbook-2012.pdf
Sorry what's.LADA meanWhat madness and we pay for it in our taxes. Metformin only ever has a small effect on blood sugar so there is no strong advantge in testing for it's effects BUT you do need to test to see what foods affect you and if you are a mis-diagnosed LADA as a T2, like I was, then testing let's you know something isn't right without waiting a year for the next HBa1C. Some of these doctors haven't a clue.
What madness and we pay for it in our taxes. Metformin only ever has a small effect on blood sugar so there is no strong advantge in testing for it's effects BUT you do need to test to see what foods affect you and if you are a mis-diagnosed LADA as a T2, like I was, then testing let's you know something isn't right without waiting a year for the next HBa1C. Some of these doctors haven't a clue.
I can see Apple tree was only quoting this so my comments refer to the original writer.What madness and we pay for it in our taxes. Metformin only ever has a small effect on blood sugar so there is no strong advantge in testing for it's effects BUT you do need to test to see what foods affect you and if you are a mis-diagnosed LADA as a T2, like I was, then testing let's you know something isn't right without waiting a year for the next HBa1C. Some of these doctors haven't a clue.
Sorry for the length of this, it is all relevent...
I felt paticularly unwell the other day, and having gone without food for over 12 hours I tested my blood. My mmol/L was 12.0, which is high (for me).
I was preparing my lunch at the time and wondered if I should still eat my main meal with this high reading, or not? My thinking being - if my reading is already high then eating could raise it even more.
So, before cooking, I thought I'd ring "111" and ask their opinion (as it was a Bank Holiday and my options were limited).
I talked with a very nice lady on the phone. She checked with her superior and came back to me to say it was OK to still eat it. She said a doctor would call me back within the next couple of hours, but if I felt worse to ring 111 again.
Sometime later, after having cooked and eaten, I got a call from another lady saying the doctor was busy but would still call me back at some point. No problem I thought.
When the doctor eventually did call me he asked some routine questions but then launched into a lecture on blood testing!
He insisted I SHOULD NOT BE TESTING at all, as I was on Metformin. According to him, nobody on Metformin should be testing as it interferes with doing so (?!).
I tried to explain I have always tested once a day, originally on my G.P.s instruction (and whilst taking Metformin). I told him the doctor stopped issuing test strips about a year ago (£££), however I have been buying them to continue testing myself (normally only once a day).
I also pointed out to him if I didn't test my blood HOW was I supposed to know whether my diabetes was "under control" or not?
I had only tested twice on this occasion as I felt so unwell. Without testing I wouldn't have known my blood sugar level was the (probable) cause of me feeling ill.
The doctor grew increasingly stroppy saying I was making up my readings, as what I had told him wasn't possible!
WHY would I do such a thing? I even agreed with him that, the longer I went without food, I would have expected my reading to get lower, not higher.
For information my reading(s) that day were:
On waking (my normal testing time) my reading was 7.4
I don't eat breakfast, as a rule.
At 1215 (before eating) and after 12 hours + without food it was 12.0
(Lunch was eaten about 1300)
At 1410 it had reduced to 8.1
At 1515 it was 5.8
I ate again at teatime.
But at 2355 it was back up at 10.4 and I was feeling quite ill again. This time I didn't phone 111, as my previous dealings with their doctor had scared me off doing so!
I live alone, and I went to bed wondering if it would go higher in my sleep and (perhaps) never wake up.
Anyway, if you are still awake after reading all this...
Has ANYONE else been told NOT to take blood glucose readings whilst using Metformin? It's the first time since being diagnosed Type 2, in 2008, that I've ever heard of it.
How the hell is a sufferer supposed to take control of their diabetes WITHOUT knowing what their blood glucose is?
Puzzled.
HiSorry for the length of this, it is all relevent...
I felt paticularly unwell the other day, and having gone without food for over 12 hours I tested my blood. My mmol/L was 12.0, which is high (for me).
I was preparing my lunch at the time and wondered if I should still eat my main meal with this high reading, or not? My thinking being - if my reading is already high then eating could raise it even more.
So, before cooking, I thought I'd ring "111" and ask their opinion (as it was a Bank Holiday and my options were limited).
I talked with a very nice lady on the phone. She checked with her superior and came back to me to say it was OK to still eat it. She said a doctor would call me back within the next couple of hours, but if I felt worse to ring 111 again.
Sometime later, after having cooked and eaten, I got a call from another lady saying the doctor was busy but would still call me back at some point. No problem I thought.
When the doctor eventually did call me he asked some routine questions but then launched into a lecture on blood testing!
He insisted I SHOULD NOT BE TESTING at all, as I was on Metformin. According to him, nobody on Metformin should be testing as it interferes with doing so (?!).
I tried to explain I have always tested once a day, originally on my G.P.s instruction (and whilst taking Metformin). I told him the doctor stopped issuing test strips about a year ago (£££), however I have been buying them to continue testing myself (normally only once a day).
I also pointed out to him if I didn't test my blood HOW was I supposed to know whether my diabetes was "under control" or not?
I had only tested twice on this occasion as I felt so unwell. Without testing I wouldn't have known my blood sugar level was the (probable) cause of me feeling ill.
The doctor grew increasingly stroppy saying I was making up my readings, as what I had told him wasn't possible!
WHY would I do such a thing? I even agreed with him that, the longer I went without food, I would have expected my reading to get lower, not higher.
For information my reading(s) that day were:
On waking (my normal testing time) my reading was 7.4
I don't eat breakfast, as a rule.
At 1215 (before eating) and after 12 hours + without food it was 12.0
(Lunch was eaten about 1300)
At 1410 it had reduced to 8.1
At 1515 it was 5.8
I ate again at teatime.
But at 2355 it was back up at 10.4 and I was feeling quite ill again. This time I didn't phone 111, as my previous dealings with their doctor had scared me off doing so!
I live alone, and I went to bed wondering if it would go higher in my sleep and (perhaps) never wake up.
Anyway, if you are still awake after reading all this...
Has ANYONE else been told NOT to take blood glucose readings whilst using Metformin? It's the first time since being diagnosed Type 2, in 2008, that I've ever heard of it.
How the hell is a sufferer supposed to take control of their diabetes WITHOUT knowing what their blood glucose is?
Puzzled.
Sorry for the length of this, it is all relevent...
I felt paticularly unwell the other day, and having gone without food for over 12 hours I tested my blood. My mmol/L was 12.0, which is high (for me).
I was preparing my lunch at the time and wondered if I should still eat my main meal with this high reading, or not? My thinking being - if my reading is already high then eating could raise it even more.
So, before cooking, I thought I'd ring "111" and ask their opinion (as it was a Bank Holiday and my options were limited).
I talked with a very nice lady on the phone. She checked with her superior and came back to me to say it was OK to still eat it. She said a doctor would call me back within the next couple of hours, but if I felt worse to ring 111 again.
Sometime later, after having cooked and eaten, I got a call from another lady saying the doctor was busy but would still call me back at some point. No problem I thought.
When the doctor eventually did call me he asked some routine questions but then launched into a lecture on blood testing!
He insisted I SHOULD NOT BE TESTING at all, as I was on Metformin. According to him, nobody on Metformin should be testing as it interferes with doing so (?!).
I tried to explain I have always tested once a day, originally on my G.P.s instruction (and whilst taking Metformin). I told him the doctor stopped issuing test strips about a year ago (£££), however I have been buying them to continue testing myself (normally only once a day).
I also pointed out to him if I didn't test my blood HOW was I supposed to know whether my diabetes was "under control" or not?
I had only tested twice on this occasion as I felt so unwell. Without testing I wouldn't have known my blood sugar level was the (probable) cause of me feeling ill.
The doctor grew increasingly stroppy saying I was making up my readings, as what I had told him wasn't possible!
WHY would I do such a thing? I even agreed with him that, the longer I went without food, I would have expected my reading to get lower, not higher.
For information my reading(s) that day were:
On waking (my normal testing time) my reading was 7.4
I don't eat breakfast, as a rule.
At 1215 (before eating) and after 12 hours + without food it was 12.0
(Lunch was eaten about 1300)
At 1410 it had reduced to 8.1
At 1515 it was 5.8
I ate again at teatime.
But at 2355 it was back up at 10.4 and I was feeling quite ill again. This time I didn't phone 111, as my previous dealings with their doctor had scared me off doing so!
I live alone, and I went to bed wondering if it would go higher in my sleep and (perhaps) never wake up.
Anyway, if you are still awake after reading all this...
Has ANYONE else been told NOT to take blood glucose readings whilst using Metformin? It's the first time since being diagnosed Type 2, in 2008, that I've ever heard of it.
How the hell is a sufferer supposed to take control of their diabetes WITHOUT knowing what their blood glucose is?
Puzzled.
Hi I have just been diagnosed with type 2 and put on metformin. My doctor.....who is filling in for the diabetes nurse....has told me I don't need a Meyer to test either. He said that the readings aren't important as its the HBA1c that tells you how your diabetes is going as this tells you an average over the last 2 months. I now have to wait till December to find out how things are....I was diagnosed in June, confirmed in July and have only just had my first clinic appointment now. My brother is also type 2 yet was given a Meter etc. Don't know what to think about this as on here seems to be lots of people measuring their BG. Confusing to say the least....and the dizziness and tiredness he's not even interested in which scares me!!!!Sorry for the length of this, it is all relevent...
I felt paticularly unwell the other day, and having gone without food for over 12 hours I tested my blood. My mmol/L was 12.0, which is high (for me).
I was preparing my lunch at the time and wondered if I should still eat my main meal with this high reading, or not? My thinking being - if my reading is already high then eating could raise it even more.
So, before cooking, I thought I'd ring "111" and ask their opinion (as it was a Bank Holiday and my options were limited).
I talked with a very nice lady on the phone. She checked with her superior and came back to me to say it was OK to still eat it. She said a doctor would call me back within the next couple of hours, but if I felt worse to ring 111 again.
Sometime later, after having cooked and eaten, I got a call from another lady saying the doctor was busy but would still call me back at some point. No problem I thought.
When the doctor eventually did call me he asked some routine questions but then launched into a lecture on blood testing!
He insisted I SHOULD NOT BE TESTING at all, as I was on Metformin. According to him, nobody on Metformin should be testing as it interferes with doing so (?!).
I tried to explain I have always tested once a day, originally on my G.P.s instruction (and whilst taking Metformin). I told him the doctor stopped issuing test strips about a year ago (£££), however I have been buying them to continue testing myself (normally only once a day).
I also pointed out to him if I didn't test my blood HOW was I supposed to know whether my diabetes was "under control" or not?
I had only tested twice on this occasion as I felt so unwell. Without testing I wouldn't have known my blood sugar level was the (probable) cause of me feeling ill.
The doctor grew increasingly stroppy saying I was making up my readings, as what I had told him wasn't possible!
WHY would I do such a thing? I even agreed with him that, the longer I went without food, I would have expected my reading to get lower, not higher.
For information my reading(s) that day were:
On waking (my normal testing time) my reading was 7.4
I don't eat breakfast, as a rule.
At 1215 (before eating) and after 12 hours + without food it was 12.0
(Lunch was eaten about 1300)
At 1410 it had reduced to 8.1
At 1515 it was 5.8
I ate again at teatime.
But at 2355 it was back up at 10.4 and I was feeling quite ill again. This time I didn't phone 111, as my previous dealings with their doctor had scared me off doing so!
I live alone, and I went to bed wondering if it would go higher in my sleep and (perhaps) never wake up.
Anyway, if you are still awake after reading all this...
Has ANYONE else been told NOT to take blood glucose readings whilst using Metformin? It's the first time since being diagnosed Type 2, in 2008, that I've ever heard of it.
How the hell is a sufferer supposed to take control of their diabetes WITHOUT knowing what their blood glucose is?
Puzzled.
Hi RobertMy GP is really good and he said if your going to take the medication the metformin then let the medication take the strain and you should diet to take your weight down, cut out and eat a good diet and that should be enough, he said it would be really hard for you with this drug to control by testing.
If you decide not to take the drug and your going to control your bloods by fasting or diet then you will need to test and if you do that he would give me the testing equipment and show me how to do it.
He tests me once ever three months until he was satisfied my diet and my bloods were under control, he did say people can get really worried they wake up in the morning take a reading and it is high, then they do not eat breakfast and the reading is still high because your getting all worked up come lunch you retest and it still hight, but you have not eaten breakfast so why would it be lower .
So you really do need to have a good old hard chat with your GP if not sure then ask for a second opinion your entitled to do so by law, he will either send you to another GP or the hospital or the clinic .
I've been told not to test any more because after a year they knew the medication was working my test were all within range.
If you do not trust your doctor or have issues then ask the local NHS for the data on testing this will be universal and will have nothing to do with costs..
Robert
Your post was so long I forgot you had said you had a good GP. You had made it sound like the test strips situation was so bad (when I have never had a problem getting the strips from my GPs) that trying someone else seemed the obvious solution. Still, it's handy to know you don't like getting suggestions - I'll know for next time.And last but not least - suggesting I change GPs in NZ was... a little over-enthusiastic in offering a suggestion? I understand liking to give advice, as I do too - it's how we are helping one another, and share info, which is marvellous. But I actually said in my piece that I have wonderful GPs. We were actually discussing official regulations - and had nothing to do with me requesting advice on GPs. Just a note there!
Hi and welcome. Sounds like you're getting substandard care. If I were you I would look around for other doctors/medical practices as your health is too important to leave to chance.Hi I have just been diagnosed with type 2 and put on metformin. My doctor.....who is filling in for the diabetes nurse....has told me I don't need a Meyer to test either. He said that the readings aren't important as its the HBA1c that tells you how your diabetes is going as this tells you an average over the last 2 months. I now have to wait till December to find out how things are....I was diagnosed in June, confirmed in July and have only just had my first clinic appointment now. My brother is also type 2 yet was given a Meter etc. Don't know what to think about this as on here seems to be lots of people measuring their BG. Confusing to say the least....and the dizziness and tiredness he's not even interested in which scares me!!!!
I have type 2 Diabetes on Metformin, I was told I don't need to test my blood sugar . If the reading was high there is nothing I could do about it.Sorry for the length of this, it is all relevent...
I felt paticularly unwell the other day, and having gone without food for over 12 hours I tested my blood. My mmol/L was 12.0, which is high (for me).
I was preparing my lunch at the time and wondered if I should still eat my main meal with this high reading, or not? My thinking being - if my reading is already high then eating could raise it even more.
So, before cooking, I thought I'd ring "111" and ask their opinion (as it was a Bank Holiday and my options were limited).
I talked with a very nice lady on the phone. She checked with her superior and came back to me to say it was OK to still eat it. She said a doctor would call me back within the next couple of hours, but if I felt worse to ring 111 again.
Sometime later, after having cooked and eaten, I got a call from another lady saying the doctor was busy but would still call me back at some point. No problem I thought.
When the doctor eventually did call me he asked some routine questions but then launched into a lecture on blood testing!
He insisted I SHOULD NOT BE TESTING at all, as I was on Metformin. According to him, nobody on Metformin should be testing as it interferes with doing so (?!).
I tried to explain I have always tested once a day, originally on my G.P.s instruction (and whilst taking Metformin). I told him the doctor stopped issuing test strips about a year ago (£££), however I have been buying them to continue testing myself (normally only once a day).
I also pointed out to him if I didn't test my blood HOW was I supposed to know whether my diabetes was "under control" or not?
I had only tested twice on this occasion as I felt so unwell. Without testing I wouldn't have known my blood sugar level was the (probable) cause of me feeling ill.
The doctor grew increasingly stroppy saying I was making up my readings, as what I had told him wasn't possible!
WHY would I do such a thing? I even agreed with him that, the longer I went without food, I would have expected my reading to get lower, not higher.
For information my reading(s) that day were:
On waking (my normal testing time) my reading was 7.4
I don't eat breakfast, as a rule.
At 1215 (before eating) and after 12 hours + without food it was 12.0
(Lunch was eaten about 1300)
At 1410 it had reduced to 8.1
At 1515 it was 5.8
I ate again at teatime.
But at 2355 it was back up at 10.4 and I was feeling quite ill again. This time I didn't phone 111, as my previous dealings with their doctor had scared me off doing so!
I live alone, and I went to bed wondering if it would go higher in my sleep and (perhaps) never wake up.
Anyway, if you are still awake after reading all this...
Has ANYONE else been told NOT to take blood glucose readings whilst using Metformin? It's the first time since being diagnosed Type 2, in 2008, that I've ever heard of it.
How the hell is a sufferer supposed to take control of their diabetes WITHOUT knowing what their blood glucose is?
Puzzled.
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