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Why do some people do BG testing and others don't?

cocacola

cocacola

Well-Known Member
Messages
330
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
celery, not eating chocolate
I am type 2 diabetic. I take Metformin 3x daily. I have been prescribed sitagliptin this week by my GP.
I bought a BG testing kit from my local pharmacy. This morning fasting BG was 7.9 which I was a bit surprised at. My HB1ac test was 7.6, up from my last test, which was 7.0.
So question, how come some type 2s do blood glucose testing and some don't? Is it those with higher levels that have to test?
 
Hi cocacola,

It's mainly because the strips are expensive. Another argument that the health people use is that a lot of people with diabetes don't use strips properly - i.e strips are wasted.

Another argument that is used is that Type 2s on diet and exercise - or on metformin tablets only - aren't really any more at risk of having a serious hypo' than a non-diabetic person.

In my opinion, "do not test" is very poor advice indeed. Have you supported my petition on this subject? If not, here is the link:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Diabetes-Advice/

Best wishes - John
 
Cocacola,

My own view would be the cost of test strips, they are far to expensive, and beyond the reach of many type 2's to buy on a regular bases. Although I am sure that personal preference comes into play here, some type 1's test more than others, even though they are given free on prescription.

Regards

Nigel
 
Thanks John and Nigel, I have signed the petition. I have decided to do a fasting blood test each morning to see if the new medication is making any difference.
I had a feeling that the cost came into things :roll:
 
thehonourableone said:
If you are int he UK and diabetic you should be able to get the strips for free on prescription. Check elegibility with your GP.
Click to expand...

'Should' is the operative word here as it is often difficult for T2s to get them at all. :roll:

Ideally we should all be able to test to see what our food is doing to our bodies and enable us to control our condition.
 
Right from diagnosis I was told about testing, & I bought a meter. The Dr prescribed strips without question.

I have tested overnight, fasting, for most of the last 10 years, so I have been able to judge the predicted progression. When that reading went above the approved range of 4-7, I reported back to the Dr, so I started on MetF. I have also been able to judge the effect of a change of other medication. I couldn't take statins, so they tried niacin. That put my BG up by about 0.5 in 3 weeks, so I stopped it.

When I developed neuropathy (leg muscle pain) I started reduced carb, & that fasting figure dropped from about 6.8 to 5.7.

I normally test about 3 times a day - always overnight. I know whether my control is satisfactory. I test more frequently if there is a good reason.

On the X-PERT course, the leader told us Hounslow don't want Drs to prescribe strips as they spend more on strips than diab medication. I suggested that that showed that strips were being used sensibly, as otherwise the expenditure on medication & complications could increase greatly.

Good control is cheaper than disease progression & crisis management, & that means testing.
 
When I first accessed the forum other members were appalled that I wasn't testing. ( It wasn't suggested that I should by GP). I do it anyway now for my own peace of mind.
I usually do random checks unless the readings concern me. I've found that during the day my levels are anywhere between 6.? down to 4.?mml (before/after meals or exercise)mostly middling.
Early hrs (4-30am-6-30am) 7.lower end and (7-30am-9-30am) 7.higher end, this I can't understand, except I am a 'wake up and go person'
Whether an individual gets the test strips on prescription or not why are they so expensive, when we are told there are thousands of people with diabetes why don't they reduce the cost so that they aren't such an outlay for those who do not get them on prescription.
Sanitaryware subject far removed from that being discussed, same problem, excessive cost, why? millions of females using them.
Manufacturers certainly make the most of an 'unavoidable' situation. Ofcourse if looked at from a different perspective, if the use of either was alot less, they may not be made at all and where would we be then. G
 
cocacola
I test to make sure I keep within my own targets( never over 6, unless ill)
Since I'm far from perfect, I sometimes cheat on foods and like to know what effect they have. I did have a bit of Amelie's( granddaughter's) toasted teacake in the cafe on our shopping trip. I was relieved to find it didn't do much.
Hana
At a DUK meeting, Iwas told by the woman eating the biscuits that the nurse said they were Ok. If she'd been testing regularly, she might have found different.
 
I only got 10 strips in the BG meter that I purchased. So sadly I have resorted to Ebay to buy more strips :( Strips were half the price than they are in Boots. We shouldn't have to do this, should we?
I will continue to do at least a morning fasting test to see what effect the new meds have on my levels.
Fasting levels of 7.8/7.9 seems pretty high to me. Before I started on metformin 2 years ago, I was 6.9 :roll:
 
cocacola
high 7s fasting is a bit too much. It's believed by some researchers that damage begins at about 7.
aiming for the 5s and 6s, would help I'm sure, but you need to find your own way there.
Hana
 
Hi cocacola :)

Have you asked for a prescription at all?

If not then do ask and tell them that you want to be more proactive in the management of your condition. If you don't ask.........
 
Synonym said:
Hi cocacola :)

Have you asked for a prescription at all?

If not then do ask and tell them that you want to be more proactive in the management of your condition. If you don't ask.........
Click to expand...
True I haven't asked, but I suppose the hardest part will be trying to get an appointment to see the doctor :roll: My husband made an appointment to see her, he was given an appointment a month away.
 
cocacola said:
So question, how come some type 2s do blood glucose testing and some don't? Is it those with higher levels that have to test?
Click to expand...


Hi Coacola, it is useful to know what your fasting bg level is each morning but to use test strips effectively you will need to test before and after meals.

To help reduce your blood glucose levels it is essential to test before and after each new meal until you get a good picture of what different food stuffs do to your levels. Most people reckon that 2 hours after is the optimum time to test post meal but it should be remembered that all foods have a different glyceamic Index (GI) which means that some foods will peak sooner or later than others, but 2 hours is a good mean time to test.

What you are looking for is the raise in bg level after each meal, some meals or rather some foods will raise your bg more that others, so by testing and knowing what foods raise your bg levels you will be able to cut back on that food stuff until the raise in bg is minimal or at least your levels come down after a couple of hours to your pre meal levels or just above.

The NICE recommendations for bg levels in a T2 diabetic are I believe
Pre meal = 4 - 7mmol/L
2 hours after under 8.5mmol/L

I'm sure someone will correct me if I have quoted them wrong :)

Obviously any improvement is good. Some people will find these numbers harder to reach than others so don't beat your self up if you need drugs to help you get there, but by cutting back on the carbohydrate portion sizes within your meal will help you achieve the good numbers.

Hope this helps
 
Thanks Sid, that makes things a bit clearer. I have started testing fasting BG every morning. I will have to wait till I get more strips before I can test before/after each meal.
Off to look at Ebay :mrgreen:
 
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