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- Type of diabetes
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- I do not have diabetes
No benefit of self-testing for type 2
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Here is a link to the full text of the article.
http://www.iqwig.de/index.991.en.html
A short extract:
Contrary to the widely-held belief, there is no proof that non-insulin-dependent patients with type 2 diabetes benefit from glucose self-monitoring. Moreover, it remains unclear whether an additional benefit is displayed by the blood test compared to the urine test or vice versa, in other words, whether one or other of the tests might offer an advantage to patients. The current data are quantitatively and qualitatively inadequate: the few trials that are suitable for investigating these questions have not included or have insufficiently reported many outcomes important to patients. Owing to their short duration, it is also not possible to draw any conclusions on the long-term benefit of glucose self-monitoring. This is the conclusion of the final report of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), published on 14 December 2009.
http://www.iqwig.de/index.991.en.html
A short extract:
Contrary to the widely-held belief, there is no proof that non-insulin-dependent patients with type 2 diabetes benefit from glucose self-monitoring. Moreover, it remains unclear whether an additional benefit is displayed by the blood test compared to the urine test or vice versa, in other words, whether one or other of the tests might offer an advantage to patients. The current data are quantitatively and qualitatively inadequate: the few trials that are suitable for investigating these questions have not included or have insufficiently reported many outcomes important to patients. Owing to their short duration, it is also not possible to draw any conclusions on the long-term benefit of glucose self-monitoring. This is the conclusion of the final report of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), published on 14 December 2009.
I am a long time T2. recently, alarmed at the readings I went onto a strict diet. This has had the efect of stabalising my readings. If I did not test I would not have the faintest idea of how I was going. Furthermore, having had two hypos at night I need to test before I sleep.
I imagine many of these people are not Diabetics.
I imagine many of these people are not Diabetics.
I wonder if as a community, we couldn't start raising funds to conduct our own trial into the efficacy of self-testing for type 2s?
My thyroid group were sick of the medical mythologies promulgated by the NHS so they spent a year raising cash and are now in the process of conducting their own experiment which will be written up for publication by an interested doctor.
We could do a much better experiment that would involve an educational intervention that would tell people how to respond to their readings.
My thyroid group were sick of the medical mythologies promulgated by the NHS so they spent a year raising cash and are now in the process of conducting their own experiment which will be written up for publication by an interested doctor.
We could do a much better experiment that would involve an educational intervention that would tell people how to respond to their readings.
When diagnosed with 'on the cusp' Type 2 in July 2009, I was prescribed Metformin 500mg. I asked about self-testing and was told airily, oh that's not necessary at all, which I thought was odd. Two weeks later, after spending that time feeling unusually faint and close to passing out, I decided I would halve the Metformin pills as I was sure they were responsible and doing more harm than good. I felt so much better within the next 24 hours and continued to feel fine. My theory is that the NHS has decided it is too expensive to encourage us to monitor our blood sugar levels.
I do think it's unfair to discourage patients who want to be proactive in taking care of their health.
Cheers - Ann
Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching - Jim Stovall
I do think it's unfair to discourage patients who want to be proactive in taking care of their health.
Cheers - Ann
Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching - Jim Stovall
Patch said:
Totally agree! I was told by a nurse the other week not to measure my blood pressure at home as 'home testing can cause patients to get worried"!!! :twisted:
I can't stand that NHS mentality that thinks the HCP 'knows best' and the silly patient shouldn't worry their little head about things. It's only through testing that we can chart patterns, identify problems and get accurate treatments!
On the one hand HCPs like to label diabetics who aren't in control as non-compliant but when HCPs are faced with diabetics who are motivated to self-monitor and take responsibility, they tell us not to worry ourselves. You can't win! :evil:
goji said:
I NEED to know things. If I don't have the info then I get worried. If I have the info I can make a decision myself.
Sounds just like my experience to date. The medics don't even want to discuss it and treat the patient as if we are unable to make informed choices. I tabled the option of self testing with my practice nurse who dismissed it and said - that's only needed for Type 1 diabetics. Anyone any tips?
I believe the people that have produced this report are obviously not T2 diabetics and if they are they are still talking through their rear orifice (and that is putting it politely). T2's keep up the good work and testing, it's your body you are looking after.
Different foods affect people in different ways. Only by continual testing can a T2 tell what foods can be tolerated and also in what amounts. Also if any exercise is taken what effect that will have on the BG. Economically it is a short term measure. Diabetic complications can cause the NHS a great deal of money.Would it not be better to allow a T2 some strips rather to have to treat Retinopathy or heart disease?
Hi everyone and a very Happy New Year to you all.
A few very relevant words to add here. Anyone who is not a diabetic would not have a clue what a disease a diabetic suffers in and how to check and maintain his/her general well being and also the level of BG.
Without keeping a close check or monitoring the blood sugar there are many complications and only a patient can tell not the others who got no clue of this problem.
Regular checking is absolutely essential and anyone who says its not can be called a person without any knowledge or concern with this problem. Its easy to say but not very wise.
A diabetic knows more about his/her body and its responses and can adjust the food intake and also the dose of Insulin or tablets.
Diabetes is a very dangerous disease and lucky enough there are some treatments available to-day and credit goes to researchers who were able to bring drugs and injections to the patients.
REGULAR BLOOD SUGAR CHECKING IS INDISPENSABLE.
A few very relevant words to add here. Anyone who is not a diabetic would not have a clue what a disease a diabetic suffers in and how to check and maintain his/her general well being and also the level of BG.
Without keeping a close check or monitoring the blood sugar there are many complications and only a patient can tell not the others who got no clue of this problem.
Regular checking is absolutely essential and anyone who says its not can be called a person without any knowledge or concern with this problem. Its easy to say but not very wise.
A diabetic knows more about his/her body and its responses and can adjust the food intake and also the dose of Insulin or tablets.
Diabetes is a very dangerous disease and lucky enough there are some treatments available to-day and credit goes to researchers who were able to bring drugs and injections to the patients.
REGULAR BLOOD SUGAR CHECKING IS INDISPENSABLE.
For how long do we have to put up with this propaganda? Yes, test strips are expensive and if a GP can persuade a patient that he/she does not need to test, then there will be a saving. But this is a false saving. Unless a diabetic knows his bG he/she has no chance whatsoever of exercising the required control and the risk of either hypo- or hyperglycaemia is much higher. I was diagnosed Type 2 almost five years ago and have reduced by bG from 11.9 to an average of ca 5.5. I test every third day and, according to my GP, have very good control. If your GP will not prescribe test strips I suggest that you start looking for one that does. Remember that a GP gets paid on the basis of the number of patients he has. The fewer patients, the less salary. If sufficient patients desert a GP who does not provide adequate treatment, he/she will soon learn.
I have to say that I've never ever been put under any pressure not to use test strips. Indeed, my GP encourages me to keep testing. I was diagnosed as type 2 almost three years ago, and I had trouble getting my hba1c down at first. However, after going through what I imagine most of us have gone through - trial and error, some very high readings, some very low - I have come to understand the condition and my body's relationship with it much better. Testing my blood sugar at least twice a day has been central to that. I simply can't understand how anyone could steer their way through this without using test strips and blood monitors. In my case it's made all the more vital by the fact that I run a lot: not only do I run the risk of going hypo when I take exercise, but I also run the risk of overcompensating after I run by taking in too much carbohydrate.
Hello,
I have recently been diagnosed with type 2, and without the regular testing i did whilst i was going though my diet change, I would have no idea which foods caused high or low readings. I definitely think regular testing gives you the ability to control your diabetes 100% more than with no testing and using the 3 month HBA1c tests.
Olie
I have recently been diagnosed with type 2, and without the regular testing i did whilst i was going though my diet change, I would have no idea which foods caused high or low readings. I definitely think regular testing gives you the ability to control your diabetes 100% more than with no testing and using the 3 month HBA1c tests.
Olie
My husband is Type 2 Diabetic with a head injury. He cannot manage his diabetes on his own and can't understand the need for a strict diet. It is only by self testing that I can convince him of the neccesity of eating the correct diet. I am sure he isn't the only one in this situation. Of course self testing in itself does nothing to reduce the levels of sugar in the blood but it certainly concentrates the mind to improve matters when things get out of hand. It can also be a pointer to an underlying condition which needs treatment in itself.
An alternative would be to ask the District Nurses to come several times a week to test my husband's blood sugare. Cost of the District Nurse v the cost of test strips - no competition I think. What a waste of money commissioning these reports, why not save the money and ask the people who are living with diabetes in the real world?
An alternative would be to ask the District Nurses to come several times a week to test my husband's blood sugare. Cost of the District Nurse v the cost of test strips - no competition I think. What a waste of money commissioning these reports, why not save the money and ask the people who are living with diabetes in the real world?
When I was first diagnosed about 10 yrs ago my GP seemed quite pleased that I was interested enough to want to self test. For me this is what it's all about - taking an interest and being pro-active.
I don't suppose the bean counters know how to put a value on this. About a year ago he said that he didn't think I needed to test very frequently despite no change in my condition. I suspect that the word from above in the NHS is to discourage self-testing.
I only test when I feel like it which may be twice a day, twice a month, after a binge and so on. It helps to keep me on track, I'm sure.
I don't suppose the bean counters know how to put a value on this. About a year ago he said that he didn't think I needed to test very frequently despite no change in my condition. I suspect that the word from above in the NHS is to discourage self-testing.
I only test when I feel like it which may be twice a day, twice a month, after a binge and so on. It helps to keep me on track, I'm sure.
