Recommendations for testing/monitoring levels from home?

[merrymunky]

I’m only a week post diagnosis. I’ve been put onto metformin and other than referring me over to the diabetes education clinic for the beginners sessions I have been told little else.

I’ve had to find the referral to look at what my hba1c levels actually were. I had no idea how far along the scale or how bad they were. I was 75 mmol/mol or 9%. No information given on target levels or any information about what foods to avoid other than refined sugars. I’m since finding out that almost everything to eat is not good as I eat a carb heavy slimming world diet.

I have no idea how quickly I should expect the metformin to work.

I see lots of people here even with type 2 self test levels at home. Can anyone recommend the best kit to use? I am totally clueless!

 

[Rachox]

I’m on Metformin too, it’ll take several weeks to build up the dose and the effect, however the effect on blood sugar levels is very small, diet is the key really.

Here’s a link to blood sugar levels you’re aiming for:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

Here’s some info on meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for the Tee2 + found here:

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/


With more expensive strips is the Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/caresens-dual-blood-glucose-and-ketone-meter/

With the strips here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/caresens-pro-blood-glucose-test-strips/


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free which has the cheapest strips available. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go:

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


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

 

[DCUKMod]

I’m only a week post diagnosis. I’ve been put onto metformin and other than referring me over to the diabetes education clinic for the beginners sessions I have been told little else.

I’ve had to find the referral to look at what my hba1c levels actually were. I had no idea how far along the scale or how bad they were. I was 75 mmol/mol or 9%. No information given on target levels or any information about what foods to avoid other than refined sugars. I’m since finding out that almost everything to eat is not good as I eat a carb heavy slimming world diet.

I have no idea how quickly I should expect the metformin to work.

I see lots of people here even with type 2 self test levels at home. Can anyone recommend the best kit to use? I am totally clueless!

Merrymunky - I see Rachox has given you some very good details about meters and strips, so I won't reiterate any of that.

On diagnosis, my level was 75, so very close to yours. Four months down the line (I'd been away for the 4 months), it was down to 37 and has gone down a little more since. 48 is the diagnostic threshold, so we were a bit over the line when diagnosed.

There are lots of people on the forum these days who have turned themselves around in a bit way, including some veggies, so don'y get down; get onto it.

You'll be fine.