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Anonymous Question Type 2 - Should I be testing my blood sugars?

Anonymous Question

Well-Known Member
Anonymous question submitted:

I was diagnosed with type 2 in 2010 and I’m currently on metformin. I’m overweight and have high blood pressure and after 4 years of dealing with diabetes, I want to make a change. I think that by testing my blood sugar I will be able to see what can affect it and then make changes based on that. Problem Is I asked my GP about getting a blood sugar machine and strips but they refused saying I don’t need one.
I’ve looked into the program at type2testing.com and it seems like a good idea. it comes with a structured testing manual so that will tell me when to test etc and that's what I need as I'm not sure. It comes straight to my door too which is convenient as I work v. unsociable hours. I have no idea about what to eat or about testing but I know testing can help control blood sugar and make the changes I need which the program helps with its relatively cheap so I know I will be getting my worth.
Do you think I need to start testing?

To submit a question, please go to http://www.diabetes.co.uk/ask-an-anonymous-question.html
 
I am a comparatively newly diagnosed Type 2, May this year.

Also on Metformin, 2 x 500 per day.

I was lucky enough to find this forum at the beginning of June & after looking around and seeing posts from various members, decided to test BG on a daily basis.

This along with dietary advise received on here has enabled me to get my levels within NORMAL guidelines.

In my opinion testing should be compulsory, without it how do you know what food and drink spikes your BG and potentially does harm.

I am sure some other people with more knowledge than me will come along with similar / better advice.

On the meantime all the best any questions just ask.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
It sounds to me like you need to go on one of the diabetes education days. I went on one called STEP and found it very very helpful. It's no good testing if you don't know what changes to make once you know your levels. If your only on metformin I wouldn't think you would need to test to often as you can't change your medication on a daily basis but I think it would be good for you to be able to take more control over your diabetes and see what difference diet and exercise make.

Hope you get things sorted out what ever you decide to do
 
hi I was diagnosed last may due to my pancreas not working properly and I test my bloods so yes you should as I find it helps me,I am supposed to check mine 4 times a day although I don't I still carry my tester with me. Ask your local diabetes clinic for advice
 
Testing is essential in order to work out which foods you can eat, which you can't, and which you can manage in moderation. If you test before eating and 2 hours after your first bite, you will get quite a lot of shocks to begin with until you find the right sort of foods to eat.

As far as eating is concerned, you need to cut your carbs right down as it is the carbs that keep your blood sugar levels elevated. All carbs turn to sugar once inside the system, some quicker than others, but the motto is Carbs = Sugar. Potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, pastry and batter are the worst culprits, and you have to be careful with fruits and all milk (except lactose free milk).

Please come back and ask as many questions as you like.
 
My doctor also refuses to supply test strips which I think is wrong everybody with diabetes should be proactive about their own health care and the refusal to supply them takes away people's ability to recognise what foods they can and can't tolerate :-(
 
How can you discover what is happening to your BGs if you don't test? Testing is the exciting discovery on a scientific experiment! Your body! It is nobody else's! Yours!
Even if you feel fine or planning a party and you want to enjoy it, how would you know what to eat and drink without finding out?
When on holiday abroard how can you tell if you can actually eat a local delicacy if you are not testing?
Low carb is fine until you discover that something that is suppose to be low has spiked your BGs how would you know?
Get yourself one! It's an adventure!
 
I am T2, diagnosed in December 2011, I'm still overweight and losing slowly but with my metformin slow release (1000mg twice a day), my blood pressure tablets, and my simvastatin and eating a healtier diet and trying to more about more, my diabetes is now into the pre-diabetic range and my diabetic team are even talking about lowering my medication. I do not test, my health authority don't do free testing kits for T2 unless they are on insulin of gliclazide type meds. However, I do have a meter that my late mum used and my sister (also diabetic) gets strips in her area so provides me with her spare tubs. Now, having said I have a meter, I do not test regularly, with my levels (especially now) under control it only confuses the issue. Type 2's who are on Metformin and/or diet control only do not have hypos, so there's no need to test, our bodies will deal with any false hypo feelings. (Confirmed by Diabetes.org.uk!).

Please do not waste your money on the type2testing.com system, it costs you money and is totally unnecessary. Make the necessary changes to your diet (count your carb intake - I have between 150-195g a day) and your exercise regime (I hate gyms so I just walk more and am more active in the house) and get your team to send you on an Xpert course, I did mine last year and it was brilliant. You will see a reduction in your levels if you take control, it may take time, its taken me over 2 years but I am getting there.
 
Hi. Do follow Bluetit's advice. A meter is essential. You will need to buy your own. The cheapest is the SD Codefree from Amazon and it has amongst the lowest cost test strips. There are many good makes of meter and the cheapest strips tend to be available from pharmacies on the web. In general test 2 hours after a meal. Sometimes test just before the meal as well to compare the change with different foods. Look for a reading somewhere below 8.5 mmol. Above that 2 hours after a meal means you need to try to reduce your blood sugar. Having a low-carb diet will reduce both weight and blood sugar. When you get your meter come back with more questions
 
jane67 said:
If your only on metformin I wouldn't think you would need to test to often as you can't change your medication on a daily basis
Click to expand...

But they can quite easily change what they eat.
Which appears to be a far more important factor. Especially to people who are not taking insulin or insulin stimulating drugs.
 

The last bit does not make much sense. Since "lactose free" milk is typically milk which has lactase added to it in processing. (Actually removing sugars from milk is very hard.) The only thing this can do is raise the GI. It won't make any difference to the total sugar content.
Also the sugar content of "skimmed milk" is higher than "whole milk", since sugars disolve in water. (In a modern dairy milk is first separated into skimmed milk and cream. With some cream being added back to make "1%", "semi skimmed" and "whole". Even what is sold as "whole milk" is likely to have less cream than the cattle produced. AFAIK nobody sells "extra cream milk", even though this would be easy to produce, though probably less profitable.)

An obvious omission from the list is "breakfast cereals". Something which can be confusing about these is that those without "added sugar" can have a higher GI (and total sugar content) than those which do. (This is a consequence of both how sugars join together and how the human digestive system takes them apart.)
 

The actual concern would be hyperglycemia leading too glucotoxosis. Hypoglycemia is not the issue here.


How would someone know HOW to change their diet without a meter?
The only obviously safe option would be to eat an "Inuit diet".
If someone wishes to "take control" what other tool could they use?
My own experience is that using a meter will help enormously in timescales of weeks to months.

As for "totally unnecessary" that would apply too the vast majority of people taking HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
 
Hi there

Please get yourself a meter. Its the best thing to invest in.
Im soo paranoid about my sugar spiking that sometimes i test my sugar on two seperate meters just to make sure the reading is correct.
 
I have had type 2 for 15 years now and was same as you after 5 years. After 5 years I started taking it seriously and got a free testing machine (I think from Boots) and managed to persuade my doctor to prescribe the strips. My measurements were in the range to 10.4 to 13.5. I also got referred to a dietician. I gave up smoking and sugar and made a determined effort to lose weight. Lost over 22kgs; walk when I can and my bloods range fro 5.5 to 9.5. My 3 month hb1ac averages 6.3. I have now reduced my testing as I know what effect certain foods have. I suggest you go back to your doctor and show him this post and hope he/she cares enough about your welfare to help you achieve your goals.
 
If you go onto the Diabetes.org.uk website there are educational tools to help people. As I said I don't test, I eat healthily (I do have some treats) and by counting my carbs and reading labels etc, doing the Xpert course I have dropped to pre-diabetic levels. My Diabetic team are very happy with me and I am continuing to watch what I eat. Testing when you are T2 and on diet only or metformin is not essential, I do have a monitor as I said before, and I do test occasionally, usually if I'm unwell, but I've managed to get my levels in check so it is possible. Cutting carbs to a sensible level will give you a good chance of getting your levels down, if your HbA1c is bad then your diabetic team will advise you what to do. Always ask them questions and make sure you get answers and ask to do the Xpert course, it will change the way you eat and understand your diabetes.
 
I admire your results and your opinion that diabetics have little reason to test. I am carb and sugar intolerant. If I have a salad which is very low carb, if you fancy a little dressing on it how will you know that it won't affect your BGLs? I am like yourself in control of my diet and my portion sizes and when and if I snack. I do not have to always check my bloods but to monitor, not obsess, you eat to your meter. I would be truly knackred and probably Ill and a lot more less fitter and heavier if I didn't use my meter. I can eat a slice of pizza and then spike with super foods. Yet, believe or not, grapes spike me. We are all different and have different symptoms, what works for you won't work for someone else. The only way that the diversity of diabetic conditions can be monitored is by testing!
 
Hello to all, I have been testing since the begining and I think it is valuable part to bringing diabetes under control. If the doctor wont provide one with strips, then ask the practise diabetic nurse, or a diabetic specialist nurse, I had an information sheet saying that testing is important, a many have said you learn the foods that are good for you and those that are not, also what effect certain foods have on your control levels. I believe all diabetics should be supplied with a testing meter and strips supplied free on the repeat prescription service,diabetics dont pay for their drugs, so dont pay for their testing kit. If you feel you have to supply one yourself, then even on this forum there are opportunities to see if you can be supplied on free, and then source the strips. Go forth and learn, pick the brains of memebers, and take your diabetes by the scruff, ttfn
 
There is another way of looking at testing, too. It not only tells you which foods spike you so to be avoided, it also tells you which foods you can cope with, so you don't necessarily need to deprive yourself of something you enjoy. In my case I know for certain that half a dozen chips make no difference to my levels whatsoever, so I can have those with my steaks and enjoy them.
 
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