What times to test

Shakey76 said:

What times of the day should i test my blood? Nurse told me twice a day but didnt say when.

Click to expand...

I test when I get out of bed for a fasting test, then before breakfast, lunch and dinner, then I test two hours after eating them.

Just testing twice a day mean you will only be able to check the bgl for one meal.

If the nurse is limiting you to 2 tests a day, and you aren’t able to buy extra strips, I’d vary the times you test.
Day 1: straight away as you wake up, and just before bed, (nurse likes them readings)
Day 2: before first bite of breakfast, and 2 hours after eating
Day 3: before first bite of lunch, and 2 hours after eating
Day 4: before first bite of evening meal, and 2 hours after eating

It give you an idea of how meals are processed by your body, and gives the nurse the am and pm readings they base things on.

@Shakey76 can I just check if you are on insulin, or any tablets? The reason I ask is type 2s are rarely given testing kit unless on insulin or certain types of tablets. If medication dictates that you test then twice a day seems too few tests, as you need to check if the meds are making you go hypo (too low).

I have now been on insulin for three months. At the start, in hospital, I was told to check first thing in the morning and before each meal and two hours after. (At least 5 tests a day). However when I saw my DN at the GP practise, she changed this to first thing in the morning and one other test during the day (Alternating with before lunch, two hours after lunch, before dinner, two hours after dinner and before bed plus before driving. (2 Tests a day depending on driving) I guess this was to keep the costs down of the strips. They are now prescribing 100 strips per month which if I am lucky gives me two tests per day and a test before driving each time. (Maybe they are getting my carbon footprint down by making me drive less I think not.)

If you are on insulin, don't forget that you must test before driving and regularly on longer trips.

Having seen some great advice on here, I did buy some additional strips to find out how different foods affected me.

I would ask your DN what tests she wants you to do and make sure they prescribe enough strips.

Shakey76 said:

Hi. I am just on Metformin at present. The nurse gave me the monitor bur when i saw the dr he was not so keen. He eventually admitted that he he believes every diabetic should have one but its the cost that stop them being given out.

Click to expand...

That’s the rationale used by HCPs in general, it’s down to cost unfortunately. If the prescriptions for strips dry up we can advise on the cheapest for self funding.

Possibly more effective to save them up then do a full day of detailed testing.
Once you have matched your meals to you glucose response then you can drop back to testing before bed and on waking.
I tend to do occasional detailed testing campaigns.