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" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How many times do you test per day? four, seven? When do you test?

--

Aloha, Al

Quoted message said:

"Alan Loo" <[email hidden]> WROTE: 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" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

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 alt-support-diabetes.orgalt-support-diabetes.orgOpen ↗ insulin-pumpers.orginsulin-pumpers.orgOpen ↗

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.