Hi all, today i've got my appointment with the diabetes nurse and was told to bring in a urine sample which I've just done at 6am, my appointment is at 9.20, will this sample be ok in that timeframe? Will it need storing in a fridge or anything? Or should i just do one before i go? Thanks in advance for your help.
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Urine test / diabetes nurse
- Thread starter Rezzi666
- Start Date
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- 6,025
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
daisy1
Legend
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- 26,457
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- Switzerland
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- Type 2
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- Tablets (oral)
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- Cruelty towards animals.
@Rezzi666
Hello and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and helpful.
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:
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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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.
Hello and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and helpful.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
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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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.
briped
Well-Known Member
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- 946
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Once I had to do a 2 x 24 hour urine test, gathering every drop I peed in 2 containers. While carrying the heavy load back to the hospital I kept wishing that for once someone would rob me
JoKalsbeek
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Ooh, had to do that too, and the containers were coloured like a popular milk chocolate brand here in the Netherlands... Printed off the logo and stuck it on, hoping to give the lab a laugh.Once I had to do a 2 x 24 hour urine test, gathering every drop I peed in 2 containers. While carrying the heavy load back to the hospital I kept wishing that for once someone would rob me
JoKalsbeek
Expert
- Messages
- 6,724
- Location
- The Netherlands
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
It's usually morning urine that tells a doc the most. (Most stuff gathered in there.) That's why a wee from later in the day is often useless from a laboratory standpoint.
Tophat1900
Well-Known Member
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- Australia
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Yeah, I'm guessing they are checking for protein leaking from the kidneys. Had that done last week.
briped
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 946
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
I bet you did tooPrinted off the logo and stuck it on, hoping to give the lab a laugh.
D
Deleted member 308541
Guest
I do not recommend storing body waste in the fridge which contains food, do one before you go.
Bluetit1802
Legend
For accurate results, the urine sample should be part way through the first one in the morning. Or that is what I am told each time.
Once in the container with a proper lid on, it will be fine for ages. Some urine samples are sent off to the lab for analysis, and that takes forever in some areas.
Once in the container with a proper lid on, it will be fine for ages. Some urine samples are sent off to the lab for analysis, and that takes forever in some areas.
My vet tells me to keep my dogs morning urine in the fridge if I bring it in the afternoon. So that's what I've done with my own morning urine when they wanted it. Never asked if it was needed 
At least I get a proper container, the vet has to make do with the small containers which held my favourite sweets. I wash them thouroughly before use but still tell the vet to ignore glucose, should they find any. (Dog has had recurring bladder problems and a kidney infection which almost killed him, so now I present the vet with urine every time I think something perhaps may be a bit off. Yes, that's me in my pajama's harrasing my dog by following him with a ladle and sticking it between his paws as soon as he lifts a leg.)
At least I get a proper container, the vet has to make do with the small containers which held my favourite sweets. I wash them thouroughly before use but still tell the vet to ignore glucose, should they find any. (Dog has had recurring bladder problems and a kidney infection which almost killed him, so now I present the vet with urine every time I think something perhaps may be a bit off. Yes, that's me in my pajama's harrasing my dog by following him with a ladle and sticking it between his paws as soon as he lifts a leg.)
Mr_Pot
Well-Known Member
Drinking small quantities of urine is not harmful so keeping it in a sealed container in the fridge is not a problem. Labelling is a good idea if you share the fridge, as a friend at work found when he used a colleague's expressed milk in his tea.
D
Deleted member 308541
Guest
Drink up mate, you can have some of mine when I have been on the beer.
Oh well, as long as the tea tasted fine..
A friend and I went for a picknick last year, with my dogs and her children. She doesn't like breast feeding in public so she took bottled pre-expressed milk to the occasion. The baby wasn't particularly hungry so my dogs not only got the leftovers from our picknick, but the baby's as well. My friend and I both found it a bit weird, but still weirder to throw it away when the dogs clearly loved it.
It depends on what the test is for and if the container has a preservative in it.
If it’s for the Biochemistry lab it wont have preservative and will probably be ok to leave a couple of hours.
If it’s for microbiology ( ie if a urine infection is suspected) then it should be fresh or refrigerated if there is no preservative ( white powder in the empty bottle, it’s boric acid and helps to stop any bacteria multiplying and giving a misleading result).
As your test has been requested by the DN it’s probably not for suspected infection, so it should be fine.
If it’s for the Biochemistry lab it wont have preservative and will probably be ok to leave a couple of hours.
If it’s for microbiology ( ie if a urine infection is suspected) then it should be fresh or refrigerated if there is no preservative ( white powder in the empty bottle, it’s boric acid and helps to stop any bacteria multiplying and giving a misleading result).
As your test has been requested by the DN it’s probably not for suspected infection, so it should be fine.
