Reducing testing

[zaphod37]

Hello folks,
Although its been a wee while since I last posted on this forum, I am constantly on and reading posts. I just wanted to as a quick - ish question.

I have manages to reduce my Hba1c from 62 to 42 since diagnosis with low carbing. I still test before meals and 2 hours post meal and my blood sugar is usually well withing the nice guidelines add to this I have lost over 30lbs in weight and although i still have another 10lbs to loose I am confident i will get there.

I am a full time carer and money is tight, I need to try and save money where I can, one way is to spend less on blood strips. I switched to the sd codefree meter a while ago but I still would like to try and ease up spending if i can.

My question is, do you think it would be ok for me to reduce my testing to before breakfast and just before bed time?

Mark

 

[mo1905]

My opinion is one that is not shared by many but I think many ( not all ) tend to overtest. By this I mean they test prior and after meals as a matter of routine rather than necessity. I'm certain I will get lots of posts now disagreeing but that's cool. Firstly though, let me explain a little as to why I think this.
Generally, peoples diets don't alter that drastically. We tend to stick to similar food types. Again, before everyone starts disagreeing, I don't mean all people. So, if you ate lasagne last week and tested before and after, why keep repeating it ? Of course, if you introduce new foods, that's different, test to see if you tolerate it. I fully understand those on pumps usually need to test more. I also know we need to test before driving, if ill, etc etc. I just think lots of people test for no real reason, habit if you like. So, to answer your question , I certainly think you can cut out a few tests and see how you get on. Maybe vary what times you test. First thing, after dinner, before bed etc. taking readings are only really useful to spot trends or to learn about food, exercise and the effect on your BG. This is only my opinion and there will always be those that need to test more regular but I think lots could cut down.
Mo


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[Squire Fulwood]

I did a lot of testing in the early days but now I know what sort of foods to avoid. This means that when I plan lunch I have a fair idea the effect that meal is going to have on me. I see less and less reason to test either before or two hours after just to confirm what I already know.

These days I tend to test only when I am experimenting with the effect of food and exercise on me. Regular testing for no good reason is just a waste of test strips.

Having said all that I repeat that in the early days I was of the other opinion.

 

[sugarmog]

If your diet and blood glucose results are now fairly consistent you could probably take a break from testing for a while. Your weight loss and low carbing appears to be having a beneficial effect and your Hba1C is getting close to normal, so unless you are introducing new foods your glucose levels will be fairly stable. Test every few days or so to make sure things are still as expected and save yourself some money.

 

[zaphod37]

Thanks for the replies guys, I didnt know if it would be a good thing or not, I am going to try cutting down on the testing for a few weeks to see if it makes any difference. I can always go back if I find its not working.

Thanks again for the advice

Mark

 

[Sid Bonkers]

My question is, do you think it would be ok for me to reduce my testing to before breakfast and just before bed time?

Mark

That would depend on
1. How good your control is.
2. Why you are testing.
3. How good is your self control.

To expand slightly if you are well controlled and know what portions of what carbs you can eat and stay within your "safe" limits then yes you can slow up on testing, *I test on average a few times every couple of weeks and find my levels dont change greatly although if they did or I felt I needed to tighten up or adjust my portions then I would test more again.

If you are testing for the sake of testing and not to adjust the portions of the carbs you eat then your just wasting test strips so again yes you can stop testing so regularly.

There is little point in testing regularly unless you are adjusting your meals. Unless you are well controlled but maybe regular testing is keeping you on the straight and narrow and stopping you from over indulging on the carbs in which case it may be best to carry on watching your results.

While you are finding your limits and adjusting your diet accordingly testing is vital but its my opinion that once you have gained good control and learned what portions of what carbs you can eat its not so vital as long as you dont let things slip


ps. *I am not suggesting that anyone should test as I do, that is purely my choice and suits me and my lifestyle at this time in my diabetes journey.