Unexpected higher readings

[ElizaKate]

I was diagnosed type 2 about 20 years ago and my control was always very good while taking Metformin. About 3 years ago I was having lots of tummy upsets and the metformin was blamed for this. I stopped taking the metformin and for the last 3 years my diabetes has been controlled well by diet only. Over the last few weeks I have felt unusually tired so decided to do some tests and found the results were higher than normal. Sometimes 8 to 10.5 but another time 5.2. I do not understand why this has suddenly happened??
GP does does not recommend home testing but surely this must help to keep an eye on things.

Which home test kit would members recommend? I had a One Touch Verio for years but recently changed to a One Touch Select Plus. I do not find this so easy to use as I find it hard to fill the test strip fully with blood. Am I doing something wrong?
Thank you in advance for any advice and help!

 

[grantg]

Run fingers under some warm water 20-30s or so alternatively hold a hot mug for a few minutes, ensure fingers dry. gentle massage finger towards where pricked to try squeeze out a larger droplet. If that doesn't work, could be worth getting a new lancing device where have the ability to select different depths otherwise could use a smaller numbered gauge (which is larger) eg if your using 30g try 28g.

@Rachox has a list of various meters etc pretty sure when spots the tag they will post some info for you. I use caresens duo (diagnosed t1/lada).

 

[Rachox]

Thanks for the tag @grantg and welcome to the forum @ElizaKate , here’s some info with links for UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.
I’ve put links to free trials for the Freestyle Libre 2+ and the Dexcom ONE + at the end, both continuous blood glucose sensors, which may provide you with invaluable info in your current situation.


HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



Don’t forget to check the box if you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)



Abbott usually offer a free 15 day trial of the Freestyle LIBRE 2 plus:

Sampling | Diabetes Care | Abbott



Dexcom also offer a free trial of their Dexcom ONE + here

The Dexcom ONE+ CGM (Continuous Glucose Montoring) system | Dexcom

 

[VashtiB]

Hello and welcome @ElizaKate

While many GPs do not recommend home testing my view is that it is essential to allow you to know what effect different foods and activities have on your levels and to be able to make decisions.

I self fund a CGM a few times a year as that helps me see a bigger picture of my levels. I will be honest and say it also helps when I go off the rails a bit. For us type 2s it isn't really affordable for most to self fund all the time but I find just a few times a year useful. I try to experiment a bit while wearing one.

I find it mentally exhausting trying to test 3-4 times everyday otherwise. That is at least one of the factors in my decision to be keto. I am confident when being strict keto that I am doing everything with my diet to manage my condition.