Type 2 and meters

In the UK we use mmol/L and therefore every meter bought here is set for that. What system of blood glucose measurement do you use ?

PhilSmith said:

Hello, there, thanks for the reply. I am sorry to say I do not understand the question. Surely blood sugar is blood sugar no matter where you are? Or is it like miles and metres and centigrade and farenheit, using a conversion factor to change one to the other. That's the way my logical mind works but please tell me if I am over simplifying things.

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Blood sugar is the same. How it is measured in different parts of the World is different. You are correct in your analogy about miles/kilometres, centigrade/fahrenheit etc.

Here in the UK we use the measure of mmol/l. In other parts of the World it is measured in mg/dl. So, it has to be converted from one to the other. Do you know the conversion factor ?

If your Doctor is used to working in mg/dl then it makes sense to have a meter that reads in that measurement, not a UK measure.

As Sue stated most of the meters supplied in the UK use mmol/l, is that the measurement used where you are ? If so then the meter would be useful, providing you can get the test strips as well.

However, if you are happy to do the conversion every time you use the meter than any meter will suffice. You will have to check the specification to see what measure it uses.

A blood sugar testing meter will be of use to ANY Diabetic.

Ken

Hi,

I think the question Phil is asking is 'should a type 2 sufferer be using meter testing rather than, say, urine sticks'.

Meters are more accurate and versatile than pee sticks
They record your results for you and can give you long term average figures which are useful
They give quicker feedback of glucose levels in the body.

They are quite cheap, often free, as the manufacturers make their money on the test strips.
The best starting point if you are thinking of getting a meter is to see what brands of test strip are stocked in the Chemists where you live and then research the meter they go with. You don't say where you live, but Diabetes is a pretty universal illness and you might be surprised. I am sure that the test strips are available by mail order as well.

In the UK you are unlikely to get the NHS to fund test strips on prescription if you are Type 2 and treated on pills such as Metformin or Gliclazide. It seems the NHS does not think them essential for these folks
You should get the strips on script if you have an underlying illness that can affect the diabetes such as kidney or pancreas problems etc., but it can be a bit of a battle with the Doctor to get them.
You will get the test strips if you have to go onto insulin.

I would speak to your Doctor you see where you are living now and ask his advice or if you are a UK Ex-Pat, perhaps phone your GP over here.

For personal preference I would have a meter anyday for accuracy and convenience of use, even if it is not deemed essential by the Doctor.

If you are in a remote location and see the Doctor rarely so don't get regular blood testing, then a meter would certainly give you better peace of mind, provided you can arrange a supply of test strips and the odd spare battery (often free too)

Hope this helps

be good and be lucky

Dave

I use a meter, paying for my own strips.
The conversion factor for mmol/l to mg/dl is[ x18]. the mmol number will always be the smaller one.
This is because a mole of glucose weighs 180grammes and 1 litre is 10times a decilitre.
Hana

My GP in France prescribed the LifeScan One Touch Vita test machine with lances and test strips.

It is all 100% free.

Peter

Hi all yes you can do the conversion if the test strips are bought in the country the meter was manufactured for. Otherwise the coding on the test strips will be different

so say test strips bought in Canada for will be different even for the same meter.

Hi again Canada would be ok as it goes they use the same measure's as the UK as do most of the world the American system is different you either divide by 18 or multiply by 18 to get the conversion

leather_ferret said:

Hi,

In the UK you are unlikely to get the NHS to fund test strips on prescription if you are Type 2 and treated on pills such as Metformin or Gliclazide. It seems the NHS does not think them essential for these folks
Dave

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I think it very much depends on which part of the country you live in. Where I live in Scotland the local diabetic specialist does not believe in Type 2 testing. I was diagnosed Type 2 4 years ago and have never seen anyone apart from my GP and practice nurse. My son in law is a consultant endocrinologist in England and he insisted that I should have a meter and do checks. My GP has supplied the strips and lancets without any quibble so far.

1) Meters are not universally cheaply available, it depends on the country. Here in France for example one is allowed on prescription every 4 years, the health service pays a set price of almost 80E. If you want to buy one without prescription, thats what you'll pay.(and it's also very difficult to find a supplier that will send meters from one country to another... I've tried) . Best bet is to either buy in the UK in person or get someone to obtain one for you.

2)

Hi all yes you can do the conversion if the test strips are bought in the country the meter was manufactured for. Otherwise the coding on the test strips will be different

so say test strips bought in Canada for will be different even for the same meter

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This isn't necesarilly accurate. , If the correct strips are available then they should be OK. My first accu chek model wasn't available in most other countries so I couldn't obtain strips elsewhere. Now though I use a one touch meter ultra smart bought in the UK.(a model not available here)
One touch ultra strips prescribed in France are fine in my 'British' meter........ I have to say I was a bit uncertain and did a bit of dual testing against my French one touch ultra 2,just to make sure .

3) Unfortunately none of the meters on the EU market can be changed from mmol/l to mg/dl. They used to be able to but some people ended up with their meters set incorrectly and became confused.
New regulations were brought in to prevent this happening. However, I don't have to laboriously change all my readings from mmol/l for my doctor. I use the one touch software and Si diary. Both of these allow you to download your readings in one unit and then change them to the other.

leather_ferret said:

In the UK you are unlikely to get the NHS to fund test strips on prescription if you are Type 2 and treated on pills such as Metformin or Gliclazide. It seems the NHS does not think them essential for these folks

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I have a contact who lives 6 months in UK (where he has his main residence) and 6 months here.
We were both diagnosed T2 at the same time, although he is on diet only, and I am on Metformin. We compare notes.

His local NHS clinic (Chichester) has prescribed meter, lances and test strips with the intention that he can monitor the impact of different foods on his blood sugar.

Peter