I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.

I'd imagine a trip to the British Diabetic Association website would be a good first stop

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.



Contour Next by Bayer is v accurate, and not particularly expensive.
You'll be spending around 50p a day.

https://shop.diabetes.org.uk/collect...nd-test-strips

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 13:57:51 +0000, GB
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.



Contour Next by Bayer is v accurate, and not particularly expensive.
You'll be spending around 50p a day.

https://shop.diabetes.org.uk/collect...nd-test-strips

Thanks for the recommendation. 50p per day is well within my price
range.

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.



Check Ebay for "CodeFree"

Just check that the meter reads mmol/L (the UK standard) rather than
mg/dL (the USA standard) although if you do get the wrong one the
conversion is
mg/dL divided by 18 = mmol/L

Example:
https://tinyurl.com/yysps9ub

Get an extra 50 test strips with the meter
Possibly get some more lancets but practically you can use the same one
multiple times as long as not sharing.

I've had meters from the NHS but have found for me that they severely
ration the test strips on prescription and if buying the branded strips
they cost a fortune compared to Codefree. It a bit like printers and ink
- almost give away the meter and then make all the profit on the ink.

Some tips from personal experience. You get a better blood drop if you
don't test soon after having a bath of shower. Remove any grease from
your fingers before picking yourself. I've found a quick wash of the
hands with washing up detergent works best.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.

Picking up the thread and running with it, I found the recent R4
interview with Tim Spector interesting. It struck me he was perhaps a
bit "one track" but it was interesting that he described use of portable
monitors bluetoothed to the phone to give a continuous reading as he was
investigating his own metabolism.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000rlpz

Anyone looked at that sort of monitor? Presumably for non-diabetics
absolute accuracy is less important, the interesting thing is trending
(cf heart rate monitors on fitness bands and watches).

On Monday, 1 February 2021 at 14:38:27 UTC, alan_m wrote:
On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.

Check Ebay for "CodeFree"

Just check that the meter reads mmol/L (the UK standard) rather than
mg/dL (the USA standard) although if you do get the wrong one the
conversion is
mg/dL divided by 18 = mmol/L

Example:
https://tinyurl.com/yysps9ub

Get an extra 50 test strips with the meter
Possibly get some more lancets but practically you can use the same one
multiple times as long as not sharing.

I've had meters from the NHS but have found for me that they severely
ration the test strips on prescription and if buying the branded strips
they cost a fortune compared to Codefree. It a bit like printers and ink
- almost give away the meter and then make all the profit on the ink.

Some tips from personal experience. You get a better blood drop if you
don't test soon after having a bath of shower. Remove any grease from
your fingers before picking yourself. I've found a quick wash of the
hands with washing up detergent works best.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk
I have had an Accu Chek previously and I am currently using an AgaMatrix wavesense Jazz. Once you are diagnosed as diabetic then you will probably be pushed towards a certain brand of meter. When I say pushed I mean given one free by whoever is monitoring your diabetes. The logic behind that is that the pharmacy who will supply the test strips and lancets on prescription only needs to hold a limited variety of both. I agree the code free type are the easiest to deal with. As a diabetic your prescriptions will be free immaterial of your age.

Richard

On 01/02/2021 14:49, newshound wrote:

Anyone looked at that sort of monitor? Presumably for non-diabetics
absolute accuracy is less important, the interesting thing is trending
(cf heart rate monitors on fitness bands and watches).

Last year I saw an advert for one and when looking at the price and
ongoing cost my reaction was HOW MUCH! There are still consumables
with this technology.

From memory, the cost to buy was something like £400 with sensors
costing £50 a time.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 15:02:01 +0000, alan_m
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 14:49, newshound wrote:

Anyone looked at that sort of monitor? Presumably for non-diabetics
absolute accuracy is less important, the interesting thing is trending
(cf heart rate monitors on fitness bands and watches).

Last year I saw an advert for one and when looking at the price and
ongoing cost my reaction was HOW MUCH! There are still consumables
with this technology.

From memory, the cost to buy was something like £400 with sensors
costing £50 a time.

Yup!

The one I use is Freestyle Libre. Each sensor is just over £50 and
only lasts 2 weeks. There's another which is even more expensive. My
GP team do supply it but only to a very, very select few because of
the cost.

Thing is, I suppose how much you want/need to monitor. The device has
a tiny needle so instead of pricking fingers x times a day you simply
apply once to the back of your arm. Recently, it seemed to me that it
was giving a slightly higher estimated reading for my HbA1c than the
one from an NHS blood test. The reader has the ability to take a blood
test strip so I purchased a small box and found that the strips read
lower than the device (which could be a good thing!).

The reader doesn't just collect your score at the moment you scan, it
also collects the previous 8 hours which you can view as a graph
although you only get numbers for the instant you scan. It's then
possible to download the data from the reader (about a months worth)
to your PC where a piece of free software gives you various
reports/"insights".

On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:46:09 +0000, Caecilius wrote:

I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP says
I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a blood
test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this counts as
DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available, and
most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that ends up
talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.

For years when I had a medical at work, it would show a high blood sugar
level and I would get a letter to take to the doctors. The test at the
doctors was always normal, because I had to fast 12 hours before the the
dextrose test.....long story short, I was prediabetic and had been for
years, so they eventually decided I was a candidate for type 2 Diabetes. I
control it with a diet very low in carbohydrates 60g and zero sugar.

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


just make sure it reads in mmol/L and not mg/dL...load of these on ebay
......

Caecilius pretended :
I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Be aware that the test strips have best before dates.

On 01/02/2021 16:19, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
Caecilius pretended :
I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Be aware that the test strips have best before dates.


The codefree strips I get have a least a year as a best before date.
This is the unopened pack date. From memory, they recommend using an
opened pack within 6 months.

Codefree come in tubes of 50 strips which for pre-diabetes a couple of
tubes should be enough to establish a glucose pattern and what happens
after diet/exercise changes etc. Afterwards I would expect their use to
be a lot less frequently. The novelty of pricking your finger multiple
times a day rapidly wears off, especially if having been told that you
don't really need to do it

I'm type 2 diabetic and my doctor and diabetic nurse don't necessarily
recommend testing with strips preferring instead to use the bi-annual
blood test to see how well the diabetes is being controlled. One of the
blood tests is much like taking an average value of glucose, over a
couple of months.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:41:34 +0000, Chris Hogg wrote:

On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:46:09 +0000, Caecilius
wrote:

I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.

Over the years I have acquired two meters - Accu-Check Aviva and
Agamatrix Jazz. Both are OK, although on the odd occasion I've tested
the same drop of blood with both, they seldom give exactly the same
reading. But there's no need to be too fussy. As long as they agree to
within a few tenths of a unit they'll be OK. They're basic meters,
possibly with a few extra facilities built in, but I don't use those.

But don't try to get your blood glucose down all at once. I haven't
monitored mine for a year or two now, having established a diet and
exercise regime that works for me (and don't forget the exercise; it's
very important!), although I still have annual HbA1c test.

In the early days, when, like you I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic
(they called it glucose resistant then), I concentrated on one meal at
a time, testing two hours after the end of the meal (people get very
worked up as to whether it should be two hours from the time you start
the meal or two hours after you finish. Such detail really doesn't
matter, as long as you're controlling your blood sugar). I aimed to
keep my 2-hour reading below about 6.5-7.0 mmol/litre.

So I sorted out my breakfast first - cereal with sugar followed by
toast and marmalade had to be replaced by fruit with unsweetened
natural yoghurt and sucralose sweetener, and rye bread with cottage
cheese (first thing in the morning is often when blood glucose tends
to be high so you need to watch the carbohydrates at breakfast).

Once I'd established a satisfactory breakfast routine I moved onto
lunch, my main meal of the day. Again, no or very much reduced
carbohydrates - no spuds, no rice, no pasta, and a glass of wine
actually helped, followed by a brisk 45-60 minute walk, then testing
two hours after the meal end.

Once that had been sorted I moved on to sort out my tea/supper, which
required a similar low-carb regime.

Eventually I just tested two days a week, fasting, after lunch and
after tea/supper.

I kept record on a spreadsheet and graphed the results to check on
long-term trends.

But then the NHS decided that because my HbA1c tests were always good,
I was obviously not in need of test strips any more and they stopped
them. So I stopped testing, but it hasn't made too much difference as
the diet and exercise regime I'd established kept me on track.

I was first diagnosed pre-diabetic in 2000, and I'm still pre-diabetic
rather to the surprise of my diabetic support team who initially said
I'd have full-blown T2 diabetes in a few years, thanks to sorting out
my diet in the early stages and sticking to it.

Thanks, that's reasuring. My fasting glucose is only slightly above
the normal range, but I want to keep on top of it to avoid further
problems later in life given my family history.

Ironically my main symptom at the moment is that I'm losing weight no
matter what I eat, which kind of goes against the common perception of
diabetes.

My plan is much like yours - to adjust my diet to keep my glucose
levels from peaking plus regular HbA1c tests from the GP.

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 16:17:47 -0000 (UTC), jon wrote:

On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:46:09 +0000, Caecilius wrote:

I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP says
I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a blood
test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this counts as
DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available, and
most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that ends up
talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.

For years when I had a medical at work, it would show a high blood sugar
level and I would get a letter to take to the doctors. The test at the
doctors was always normal, because I had to fast 12 hours before the the
dextrose test.....long story short, I was prediabetic and had been for
years, so they eventually decided I was a candidate for type 2 Diabetes. I
control it with a diet very low in carbohydrates 60g and zero sugar.

My problem was picked up by a high fasting glucose reading - it looks
like the energy is there but my body can't use it hence the weight
loss I've been experiencing over the past year.

I've been zero sugar for years, but probably need to start cutting
down on simple carbs as well.

I've also been exercising more over lockdown - walking about 50 miles
per week. GP initially put the weight loss down to the increased
exercise even though I said I was eating like a polar explorer not a
walker in greater London.

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 16:17:54 +0000, "Jimmy Stewart ..."
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


just make sure it reads in mmol/L and not mg/dL...load of these on ebay
.....

I don't really mind the units as I can convert if needed.

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 17:27:33 +0000, alan_m
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 16:19, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
Caecilius pretended :
I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Be aware that the test strips have best before dates.


The codefree strips I get have a least a year as a best before date.
This is the unopened pack date. From memory, they recommend using an
opened pack within 6 months.

Codefree come in tubes of 50 strips which for pre-diabetes a couple of
tubes should be enough to establish a glucose pattern and what happens
after diet/exercise changes etc. Afterwards I would expect their use to
be a lot less frequently. The novelty of pricking your finger multiple
times a day rapidly wears off, especially if having been told that you
don't really need to do it

I'm type 2 diabetic and my doctor and diabetic nurse don't necessarily
recommend testing with strips preferring instead to use the bi-annual
blood test to see how well the diabetes is being controlled. One of the
blood tests is much like taking an average value of glucose, over a
couple of months.

Yes, I've been told that I should get annual HbA1c tests.

I mainly want the machine to allow me to establish a baseline and
determine my body's reaction to various diet & lifestyle changes.

I'm sure that pricking your finger multiple times a day isn't exactly
fun, but it doesn't seem so bad to me when I look at the effects
diabetes had on some of my relatives.

On 01/02/2021 19:18, Caecilius wrote:

Ironically my main symptom at the moment is that I'm losing weight no
matter what I eat, which kind of goes against the common perception of
diabetes.

No, that is very much the indication of diabetes because instead of
packing on the carbohydrates, you are ****ing them away.

This happened to me 17 years ago; I was very pleased to have lost
3 stone in 3 months without any conscious effort on my part to
be dieting and the doc, far from complimenting me, said that
it was a sure sign of late-onset diabetes, which proved to
be true, alas.

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


You'd be mad to buy one - and if you weren't mad, you soon would be due
to the variations you'd see.

IMHO, Hb1Ac testing and common-sense is the way to go. Alas, the NHS
can only dispense the former.

PA

On 01/02/2021 20:28, Peter Able wrote:

You'd be mad to buy one - and if you weren't mad, you soon would be due
to the variations you'd see.

IMHO, Hb1Ac testing and common-sense is the way to go.Â* Alas, the NHS
can only dispense the former.

PA


I'm afraid that I totally disagree. I find a glucose monitor very
helpful. If I am worried that I have had too much carbohydrate, I can
measure my blood and take steps to reduce my glucose levels.

When I say take steps, I do mean that literally. I go for a brisk walk
and the glucose comes down quickly.

HbA1C measures the average glucose levels over a 3 month period. That
doesn't take into account spikes which can be quite harmful.

On 01/02/2021 20:28, Peter Able wrote:


You'd be mad to buy one - and if you weren't mad, you soon would be due
to the variations you'd see.


IMHO, Hb1Ac testing and common-sense is the way to go. Alas, the NHS
can only dispense the former.


Hb1Ac testing is exactly what the NHS offer by way of a blood test, and
has been offered to the OP. I assume that he has already had this test
to determine pre-diabetes. I have this test twice a year.

What the NHS may not offer is expensive home testing Hb1Ac kits which
are not as simple of just putting a blood drop on a strip. Even the
blurb for these kits indicate that they are not a substitute for NHS
testing which suggests that maybe the results are very much dependant on
the skill level of the person using them.

Cheap blood glucose tests for around £25 for the meter kit including 60
tests strips is an ideal way of determining a base line and how your
existing lifestyle and eating and drinking habits change your blood
glucose throughout the day. They also give a semi instant indication
that any changes are working. They have to be used with a bit of common
sense and a bit of research as to when testing is recommended. If
diabetes has been confirmed they also give an instant indication that
blood sugar is too high or too low. None of this can be achieved with
Hb1Ac testing.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 21:27:17 +0000, GB wrote:

On 01/02/2021 20:28, Peter Able wrote:

You'd be mad to buy one - and if you weren't mad, you soon would be due
to the variations you'd see.

IMHO, Hb1Ac testing and common-sense is the way to go.Â* Alas, the NHS
can only dispense the former.

PA


I'm afraid that I totally disagree. I find a glucose monitor very
helpful. If I am worried that I have had too much carbohydrate, I can
measure my blood and take steps to reduce my glucose levels.

When I say take steps, I do mean that literally. I go for a brisk walk
and the glucose comes down quickly.

HbA1C measures the average glucose levels over a 3 month period. That
doesn't take into account spikes which can be quite harmful.

Indeed. My GP said that my HbA1C had risen, although not yet to worrying
levels. Fasting blood glucose tests are giving me insight - it is clear
that I am not processing sugars as well as I might.

I am well versed in this stuff - one son has been Type 1 for nearly 14
years.

For some humour on the subject, see this. I met him (and sons) at a night
out for diabetic kids. I also worked at the same place.

https://youtu.be/ruC3JMmW6Mk

The DVD is good fun, but dark.

--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 01/02/2021 19:24, Caecilius wrote:
On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 16:17:54 +0000, "Jimmy Stewart ..."
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


just make sure it reads in mmol/L and not mg/dL...load of these on ebay
.....

I don't really mind the units as I can convert if needed.

pain in the bahooky

On Tue, 2 Feb 2021 08:46:30 +0000, "Jimmy Stewart ..."
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 19:24, Caecilius wrote:
On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 16:17:54 +0000, "Jimmy Stewart ..."
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


just make sure it reads in mmol/L and not mg/dL...load of these on ebay
.....

I don't really mind the units as I can convert if needed.

pain in the bahooky

Not if you're a nerd who puts it into excel

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 20:28:15 +0000, Peter Able wrote:

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


You'd be mad to buy one - and if you weren't mad, you soon would be due
to the variations you'd see.

IMHO, Hb1Ac testing and common-sense is the way to go. Alas, the NHS
can only dispense the former.

PA

Too late for that - I've already bought a meter & strips based on a
recommendation earlier in this thread.

A total of £50 is cheap in my mind, and isn't a lot to waste even if
it ends up being pointless. I can't see it doing any harm.

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 22:03:53 +0000, alan_m
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 20:28, Peter Able wrote:


You'd be mad to buy one - and if you weren't mad, you soon would be due
to the variations you'd see.


IMHO, Hb1Ac testing and common-sense is the way to go. Alas, the NHS
can only dispense the former.


Hb1Ac testing is exactly what the NHS offer by way of a blood test, and
has been offered to the OP. I assume that he has already had this test
to determine pre-diabetes. I have this test twice a year.

I had a fasting blood glucose test as part of a private health
assessment, which I took because my GP had been unable to determine
the reason for my weight loss for about a year.

Minor moan: all I seem to get from the GP is another blood test for
various things (liver, full blood count, thyroid etc) but not glucose.
For some reason my GP interprets a negative result from the tests as
"no need to worry" rather than "we've not found the problem yet" which
is why I opted for the private health screening.

I've been asked to request an Hb1Ac from my GP which I will do when
the lockdown has eased (I'm guessing no urgency for this) and at the
same time I'm getting a glucose meter to monitor my levels.

On 02/02/2021 13:50, Caecilius wrote:
On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 20:28:15 +0000, Peter Able wrote:

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


You'd be mad to buy one - and if you weren't mad, you soon would be due
to the variations you'd see.

IMHO, Hb1Ac testing and common-sense is the way to go. Alas, the NHS
can only dispense the former.

PA

Too late for that - I've already bought a meter & strips based on a
recommendation earlier in this thread.

A total of £50 is cheap in my mind, and isn't a lot to waste even if
it ends up being pointless. I can't see it doing any harm.


See how you get on, then - but try not to get too stressed by the
variations.

just one bit of advice. Don't use the ball of your finger - use the
side of the finger at the ball-point. Just as good flow for the test
and you don't end up with crocodile skin just where you rely on touch
the most. Plus you don't get blood on everything you then touch...

PA

On 02/02/2021 13:48, Caecilius wrote:
On Tue, 2 Feb 2021 08:46:30 +0000, "Jimmy Stewart ..."
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 19:24, Caecilius wrote:
On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 16:17:54 +0000, "Jimmy Stewart ..."
wrote:

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


just make sure it reads in mmol/L and not mg/dL...load of these on ebay
.....

I don't really mind the units as I can convert if needed.

pain in the bahooky

Not if you're a nerd who puts it into excel

oh dear

On Tue, 2 Feb 2021 14:37:44 +0000, Peter Able wrote:

On 02/02/2021 13:50, Caecilius wrote:
On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 20:28:15 +0000, Peter Able wrote:

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


You'd be mad to buy one - and if you weren't mad, you soon would be due
to the variations you'd see.

IMHO, Hb1Ac testing and common-sense is the way to go. Alas, the NHS
can only dispense the former.

PA

Too late for that - I've already bought a meter & strips based on a
recommendation earlier in this thread.

A total of £50 is cheap in my mind, and isn't a lot to waste even if
it ends up being pointless. I can't see it doing any harm.


See how you get on, then - but try not to get too stressed by the
variations.

just one bit of advice. Don't use the ball of your finger - use the
side of the finger at the ball-point. Just as good flow for the test
and you don't end up with crocodile skin just where you rely on touch
the most. Plus you don't get blood on everything you then touch...

Good tip, thanks.

On Monday, 1 February 2021 at 13:46:14 UTC, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.

Rumour (and I put it no stronger than that) has it the next generation of Apple Watch will include some sort of glucose measurement. What I read said it would be based on light.

I imagine, if true, it would measure quite frequently.

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/01/25...se-monitoring/