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--- Blood Glucose Testing
Personally, I used to test upwards of six times a day, and now, because of the largely prohibitive costs, I only test when I take my shots, and sometimes not even then. Not a recommended or even sane approach, certainly. If I could, I would still test six times a day. ~A! "Alan Loo" news:D0Lcb.5470$Ak3.884@twister.socal.rr.com... > How many times do you test per day? four, seven? When do you test? > > -- > > > Aloha, > Al > >
>"Alan Loo" > How many times do you test per day? four, seven? When do you test? Ultimately, the answer is whenever you need to test. However, costs being what they are, as well as not wanting to have sore finger-tips, a basic schedule that works for you would be best. For a new diabetic, testing 4X per day, once before each meal and at bedtime, should be sufficient. Plus, anytime you feel low. That part is essential. The reason for this is that it will let you know how your blood sugar is responding to your medication, and if any adjustments need to be made, to the meds, the diet, and/or your daily routine. Without a proper diabetes education from your doctor,nurse, diabetes educator, and a dietitian, plus constant communication with someone very familiar with your meds, it will be difficult to regulate yourself, Type 1 or Type 2. It is also important to write down the results of your BG, with a pen, on paper, in a booklet ! This must include the dates and time of the test. Some booklets only list Before Brkfst., Before Lunch, etc. If you do not follow a good routine or schedule, this makes it easy to fool your doctor and yourself. Of course, we all know who the fool would be in a case like that! Differences in high or low BGs may be do to the time that you are doing the test. So, write it down. Computer programs are nice hype for the manufacturers of the meters, and may be helpful to the user, but NOT if you never look at the results in the meter memory, and just download it from the meter to a computer. By writing it down daily, on a chart, in a booklet, you will become familiar with any patterns that are established, and be able to make adjustments accordingly. The booklets are free from most meter companies, and other sources. Always have an adequate supply on hand. If the booklet does not fit in the meter case, write down the results from the memory daily. This, of course, requires a memory that records date and time. Most do, nowadays. Without that, you will be lost when trying to recall the time of the test. Some booklets do not have much space, especially for extra tests, or comments. If you have a need for those things, find a different booklet, or make up your own chart on a 8½ x ll inch sheet of paper, and take it down to your local copy center.(Cheaper than using your printer.) Then, get a three-ring notebook, and you will have plenty of space to record your results. You could even enlarge the page from a booklet, at the copy center. Along with that, something that many doctors ignore, is the need to record what you eat, at least for the first month. That means every single item that you consume, with the portion, oz. or gms, cups or liters, and the time. Then, you will be able to make adjustments as needed, either to diet, insulin, or other meds. Without this info, you will just be playing guessing games. If you find yourself being stabilized, then you can reduce the daily tests. Most people will test at least in the morning and at bedtime, plus whenever they feel low. If you feel tired from a high BG, then more testing, after a meal, about 2 hours later, will give you more information regarding adjustments. Some people go crazy with testing anywhere from 13 to 20 times per day. It is usually not necessary, and is guaranteed to drive you batty, not to mention the sore fingers, and cost of the test strips. You will have a higher BG after a meal, (generally 140 - 180), but it can vary. Brittle diabetics, like myself, need more testing, but even I don't go overboard, although I test more often than many people do. Usually 4 to 9 times per day, and always whenever I get ANY extra exercise, or before driving, as I also have hypoglycemia-unawareness ! Believe me, when a diabetic is unable to tell when they are low, because of a lack of any warning symptoms, it is a major problem. I have had enough close-calls to know about the need for multiple tests. But this is a unique situation which does not affect most diabetics. Developing a normal routine, with regard to BG tests, will work for a new diabetic. If you insurance covers the cost of test strips, get a top-notch meter, such as the Accu-Check Advantage. If you need to pay for the test strips out of your own pocket, or need more than the insurance covers, there are pretty good meters with lower cost test strips. Generally, meters are free or nearly free with various rebates. Whenever you get a lab test for your BG, do a finger-stick test with your meter(s) as a check for accuracy. Once is not enough. As things become routine, it won't be a big deal, but do be prepared for some changes with your life. In the area of meters, that would require taking it with you wherever you go. Don't leave it at home !
On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 23:39:15 GMT, "Alan Loo" wrote: >How many times do you test per day? four, seven? When do you test? fadting, before each meal, 2 hours after each meal and at bedtime. Mack Type 1 since 1975 http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org http://www.insulin-pumpers.org In tribute to the United States of America and the State of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism. Related Discussion: Charting (1 posts) Ayurvedic woes raise new questions about drug agency oversight (1 posts) Remicade Safety Warning (1 posts) XanGo (1 posts) Top Discussions From Our Archives attn: barney - dominating dvd video - utle - (1/1) Arthritis -Affordable Prescriptions, Health Information Alert - Hundreds of Medications Act Now! FDA Panel: Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx Should Remain on Market Health Discount Progam (Not Insurance) Other Discussion Categories Diabetes Symptoms Health Care Policy Health Care Providers HMO Arthritis Symptoms Oops!!! Unexpected Error While Reading the Feed
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