Type 2 When is best to test?

Lil_Miss_Cuddly · May 8, 2020

Hi

I don’t want to become obsessed with testing all the time, mainly because it’s an expensive game with the accu-check mobile.

When and how often does everyone test?

Every meal or just one meal a day?

X

JoKalsbeek · May 8, 2020

Lil_Miss_Cuddly said:
Hi

I don’t want to become obsessed with testing all the time, mainly because it’s an expensive game with the accu-check mobile.

When and how often does everyone test?

Every meal or just one meal a day?

X

That's why a meter with cheap strips is good, because especially in the beginning, you're going to test a LOT. Preferably before a meal and 2 hours after the first bite, so if that's 3 meals, 6 tests a day... Unless of course you're eating certain things often (say, scrambled eggs every morning), then you test those a couple of times to see what happens, and you can pretty much trust that, and don't have to test ad infinitum. These days I only test when I feel off, got a steroid or flu jab, or eat/ate somewhere I've never been before. I'm still using strips I ordered almost a year ago, I test so rarely... But that first year, I spent exactly a thousand euro's on strips. In part because I didn't know when to test effectively, at first. I'm headed towards my 4 year diaversary this summer though, and rarely test now.

Should you want to cut costs a little get a meter that's cheap in strips. Rachox wrote a good piece about it.

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for the Tee2 + found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/ with the strips found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/

Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:

Phone number 0800 8815423

With more expensive strips is the Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual

Home Health have recently bought out this one, but I haven’t heard any reviews yet, links to strips and the meter:

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

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/

And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free from Home Health which has the cheapest strips available if bought in quantities of 5 or 10 pots with the codes below. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go, just bear in mind it seems they are replacing it with the Navii, details above.

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833

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

xfieldok · May 8, 2020

Before the first bite and then 2 hours after. Testing is not forever. Once you have your numbers under control you can cut back.

Resurgam · May 8, 2020

If you begin my testing how meals affect you and act on that knowledge you should soon find that some meals are so predictable you don't need to test for them. By then you'll probably only need to test after your main meal.
I only need to eat twice a day, so I was checking after dinner and deciding if I really did want a dessert then.
Once my after dinner levels were at 8 I did not test every day, just twice a week when contemplating dessert, but my numbers continued to drop so I was always below 7 and then even below 6. These days I hardly test at all.

Brunneria · May 8, 2020

Lil_Miss_Cuddly said:
Hi

I don’t want to become obsessed with testing all the time, mainly because it’s an expensive game with the accu-check mobile.

When and how often does everyone test?

Every meal or just one meal a day?

X

The ‘you’ll get obsessed with testing’ is a line thrown out by people trying to discourage us from testing. It seems to happen much less often than implied.

of course, I am sure that some ppl do become ‘obsessed’, for a variety of reasons. But I am sure larger numbers derive tremendous reassurance and confidence from testing - I know I did. The key difference seems to be whether the person uses the tests to inform themselves, adjust their intake, and gain control of their blood glucose.

Hopefully the info here on the forum helps people to get that control.

bulkbiker · May 8, 2020

Brunneria said:
The ‘you’ll get obsessed with testing’ is a line thrown out by people trying to discourage us from testing. It seems to happen much less often than implied.

And even if it didn't then becoming obsessed with getting healthier is hardly a bad thing ...

Lil_Miss_Cuddly · May 9, 2020

JoKalsbeek said:
That's why a meter with cheap strips is good, because especially in the beginning, you're going to test a LOT. Preferably before a meal and 2 hours after the first bite, so if that's 3 meals, 6 tests a day... Unless of course you're eating certain things often (say, scrambled eggs every morning), then you test those a couple of times to see what happens, and you can pretty much trust that, and don't have to test ad infinitum. These days I only test when I feel off, got a steroid or flu jab, or eat/ate somewhere I've never been before. I'm still using strips I ordered almost a year ago, I test so rarely... But that first year, I spent exactly a thousand euro's on strips. In part because I didn't know when to test effectively, at first. I'm headed towards my 4 year diaversary this summer though, and rarely test now.

Should you want to cut costs a little get a meter that's cheap in strips. Rachox wrote a good piece about it.

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for the Tee2 + found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/ with the strips found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/

Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:

Phone number 0800 8815423

With more expensive strips is the Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual

Home Health have recently bought out this one, but I haven’t heard any reviews yet, links to strips and the meter:

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

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/

And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free from Home Health which has the cheapest strips available if bought in quantities of 5 or 10 pots with the codes below. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go, just bear in mind it seems they are replacing it with the Navii, details above.

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833

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

Thank you so much, that information is really helpful, I am definitely going to buy a cheaper metre. I want to start testing daily. Along with a food diary. Will start this as soon as my new cassette arrives, but will order a new meter in the meantime.
I am so glad I found this forum, it has been so helpful and you are a god send with the information that you have provided. Thank you

Lil_Miss_Cuddly · May 9, 2020

Thank you everyone that has really helped me, I guess it was because my doctor told me not to.
But now I understand better that it is only going to help me so that is a good thing.
xxx

TeddyTottie · May 9, 2020

Testing is not a chore when done with purpose - it’s fascinating, illuminating, motivating and puts you absolutely in the driving seat as far as getting your condition under control. I certainly ‘obsessed’ over my testing early on, if obsession means taking a keen and active interest in how my body coped with what I put in it and changing my behaviour accordingly.

But.... I am very geeky and data rocks my world! I have Bluetooth connected BG meter, scales and blood pressure monitor which provide me with all manner of pretty charts on my phone, and as fitness watch that plots and records my little bike rides and walks round the block with all the rigour of an Olympic coach .

If you download the mySugr app you can record all your readings and it also has the facility for you to document your meals too so you can directly correlate the results.

Good luck, you’ll soon be getting this under control!

Type 2 When is best to test?

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