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The Low Carb Diabetic |
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WHY TEST
Testing your blood glucose levels is essential in the treatment and
control of your diabetes, without accurate blood glucose data you will be
completely in the dark. By regular testing you will not only be
reassured your treatment regime is working, you will know exactly how
different foods react in your digestive system. Remember no two
people are the same and seemingly similar foods can have a very
different reaction on your blood glucose numbers. For type 1s or 2s
using injected insulin, regular testing is crucial. A very strict
monitoring system needs to be in place if potentially life
threatening situations are to be avoided. Too much injected insulin
can lead to rapid hypoglycaemia and possible coma and death. Not
enough insulin can quickly lead to dangerously high blood
glucose numbers and possible hyperglycaemia.
THE TEST KIT
Hopefully you will have been supplied a blood glucose meter and test
strips by your health care team, if not, purchase them from your
local chemist. The kit usually includes a case, a lancet pen and
test strips. The kit usually only comes with ten test strips to get
you started, further strips are available in tubs or packets of
fifty.
HOW AND WHEN TO TEST
As a general rule the best times to test are upon rising, 2 hours
after each meal and before turning in for the night. If setting up a
new diet regime or using insulin extra readings are often taken. For
type 2 diabetics not using insulin and with good blood glucose control a couple of times a day is
usually adequate, upon rising and 2 hours after the main meal of the
day will usually give you a good idea how your control is being
maintained. When taking a blood test always ensure your hands are clean and dry,
any contamination can lead to incorrect readings. It is recommended
you use the side or back of a finger to minimise soreness on the
main contact surfaces of the fingers. Move the test strip towards
the blood spot until contact is made, ( it works by capillary action
) do not smear the blood over the end of the test strip or it will
record and error and the strip will be wasted. As can be seen above,
most test meters will record the blood glucose reading together with
date and time. This particular model will hold 500 results. Always
follow the manufactures instructions when using your meter. Always
close your test strip container immediately after use. If the test
strips get
damp or contaminated they will be useless.
TEST STRIPS AND THE POSTCODE LOTTERY
At the moment the supply of test strips free on prescription is a
postcode lottery, some diabetics are getting them supplied by their
Doctor others do not. This in my opinion is a ridiculous and penny
wise pound foolish situation. For a diabetic to maintain good
control they must test regularly, by saving a small amount of money
now, the NHS is storing up vastly more expensive problems for the
future. Poor control will lead to more diabetics succumbing to
complications. Consider not only the trauma to a young diabetic
going blind, perhaps unnecessarily, and brought about by lack of
testing and poor control, but also the long term cost to the state.
The financial cost will be enormous compared to a regular supply of
test strips.
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