Not too sure how to use the blood sugar machine

Hi @Tinamaan76 and welcome!

Sounds like you have that meter handed out with out of date test strips? If so, and they were out of date a few years ago, you likely won’t get accurate results. I’d suggest two things. Firstly checking how much the strips cost for that meter (strips can only be used with the meter they’re designed for, they’re not interchangeable.

Secondly, as strips are the biggest cost over time, if the strips for that machine are expensive, you might want to look at getting a different meter with cheaper strips. I’ve put some details below.

Once you have your meter and strips, the idea is to test immediately before you eat and again 2 hours after the first bite. The idea is to see a rise of no more than 2 mmols. Any higher and the meal needs adjusting so that there are fewer carbs.

Back to meters, there are a few popular ones used by type 2s on here. And as I said, the cost of the strips is important as they’ll be what you spend most on so don’t be seduced by offers of free meters with expensive strips.

The meter with the cheapest strips is the Gluco Navii. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/

There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips. Buying a pack of 10 boxes of strips using the discount code works out at £5.68.

The SD Codefree from Home Health has similarly priced strips, but is rumoured to be being discontinued at some point.

The Tee2+ from Spirit Healthcare also has relatively cheap strips, (although they have recently gone up in price): http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/ with the strips found here: http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/ I got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order the meter and 10 boxes of strips and they threw the meter in for free. Phone number 0800 8815423. I daresay Home Health would do the same.

Also from Spirit Healthcare, with more expensive strips than the Tee2+ is their Caresens Dual. This can be used for testing ketones too (strips for that very expensive). https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual

Don’t forget to check the box (or mention on the phone) to say you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)

Hope that helps.

Hello. Like you, I'm also on Metformin.

Could it be worth checking back with your doctor? When I was diagnosed I was given two machines - 4Sure and 4Sure Duo (keto as well), and two pots of test strips. No advice on use, but YouTube helped.

I manage my prescriptions online, and both the test strips and lancets are available with my repeat prescriptions to order when I want.

Hi just a thought but could you call in at a pharmacy (i know in these days of covid its not that easy) and ask if they can give you some advice on the machine, my doc also won't help regards machine so I got my own from boots online they nock the VAT off at checkout still not cheap but i can get an idea of what meals are doing to me, good luck