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Retinopathy test

T

Tracey1963

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi. I have been a member here for quite some time but lost my password. Have not been able to recover it through the web sites method so have created a new account.

For two years my retinopathy test has come back I have background retinopathy. It states on the letter that I should control my blood sugar levels as well as possible. I have an Hb1Ac test once every 12 months so I have no idea what my sugars are at anytime. I eat sensibly and keep my weight at an acceptable level. I have only been diagnosed type 2 for about 6 years. All the females in my family have diabetes. My sisters, my mum, my aunts and my grandmother. My Grandma died in a diabetic coma. All the females diagnosed with high blood sugars when they reached their mid to late 40s like me and had to go on insulin. My sister died last year her illness was terminal and because of all the blood tests she found diabetic and put in insulin she had ketones as well. I have one metformin a day. As I am type 2, I am not entitled to free test strips so wondered if buying one of my own would help and are they effective in giving a correct result? My diabetic nurse says I don't need test strips and should not test. So I don't. know how to control my blood sugars really. I try not to worry about it as I have never taken my diabetes seriously but I am now a little bit worried.
 
Welcome. Firstly, please accept my condolences on your loss.

Yes! Get a glucometer, your nurse will not sanction free equipment because of the cost to the NHS. A monitor will help you learn which foods raise your blood glucose levels to the highs that cause damage and which foods will keep them in a lovely range that will improve your health and your future propspects.
Tagging @daisy1 for the info pack offered to all newcomers.
Type 2 Diabetes need not be the progressive, chronic disease that our health care professionals would have us beleive. Lots of support and guidance (with a few laughs along the way) is available on the forum so have a good wander around the forum and ask as many questions as you like.
 
Hi @Tracey1963 - I agree that self testing is the way forwards, in terms of understanding what's going on at any given time.

There are a huge number of meters out there on the marketplace, but when buying, please ensure you take serious note of the costs of strips, because we get through a few of those - especially in the learning phase.

I'll tage @Bluetit1802 and @Rachox as they're both familiar with a couple of exrtemely cost-efficient meters.

Good luck with it all.
 
DCUKMod said:
Hi @Tracey1963 - I agree that self testing is the way forwards, in terms of understanding what's going on at any given time.

There are a huge number of meters out there on the marketplace, but when buying, please ensure you take serious note of the costs of strips, because we get through a few of those - especially in the learning phase.

I'll tage @Bluetit1802 and @Rachox as they're both familiar with a couple of exrtemely cost-efficient meters.

Good luck with it all.
Click to expand...
Thanks :)
 
Hi @Tracey1963

Here are some meters that are popular on the forum:

Taken from a post by @Bluetit1802 as she wrote it so nicely:


The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2 because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.


Try here for the Codefree meter

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


The Tee2 is here and the meter is free.

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/


Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)
 
Tracey1963 said:
Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Tracey - I meant to add to my last post, if you would email [email protected] , we can help you both access your old account, but also merge this one with it, so that you have all your data/messages and so on, in one place.

In your email, if you would please include your other user name and the email address you used to sign up for each account.
 
Yes I shall. And thank you so much for the links and the information and I shall send the email with my previous details. Again thanks! :)
 
@Tracey1963

Hello Tracey 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 useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

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 235,000 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
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