Reliability of kinetik wellbeing BG monitor

Wightvader

Newbie
Messages
4
New her and very very confused and frustrated. I have numerous health issues bombarding me at once. However recently told to monitor my BG , I appear to have reactive Hypoglycemia, however my symptoms appear higher <4.5 than the accepted ‘norm’. I purchased a kinetik wellbeing’s blood glucose monitor following the procedures closely and get the most erratic readings.Im looking for help and advise. Please.
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Wightvader
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 220,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,807
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi @Wightvader and welcome to the forum.
To help us to help you, could you please post some examples of your readings and when they were taken in relation to waking up, before or after food (including how long after food) and also what you have eaten.
 

Wightvader

Newbie
Messages
4
Thankyou for your kind replies. I am not at this point diabetic, but the doctor fears it’s close. I am however Hypoglycemic and seems to be reactive hypoglycaemia.
Example.
10/4/19 fbgc 5.6

15hr fbgc 4.3(dex tab)

Food 1715pm (chicken breast, roasted fresh potato wedges , peas)

+30 6.9

+ 2hr 15 4.4 (anxiety)

+ 2hr 35 4.6

+ 3hr 4.8

+ 3.5hr 5.2

I appear to become dizzy lightheaded sub 4.6.
This is a poor example. But between massively fluctuations in the readings moments apart and anxiety. I’m lost.

Additionally I am a heart attack survivor. And suffer with chronic hyponatremia.
The theory is I am two very old medications (chlomipramine and carbamazepine) these are doctors words poisoning me. I have Long QT syndrome, due to chlomipramine.tachycardic/brachicardic, and hypotension.
Prevalent dizziness after meals was investigated and some signs of reactive Hypoglycemia seem to be there.
 

Wightvader

Newbie
Messages
4
Meal examples: tuna pasta, chicken breasts fresh potatoes peas. Cod (plain) potatoes, peas. Jacket potatoes with cheese. Tuna / cheese sandwich on 50/50 bread. Sausages,potatoes,peas.
Snacks: Bourbon biscuits , crisps, wine gums. Drinks tea (1/2 sugar) water . NO alcohol. Everything is roasted or cooked with extra virgin olive oil. Lots of salt to correct the hyponatremia.