BG testing

jennifer5232 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 07:49 PM

I have seen people say on here to test test test so that you know what foods make your sugar go and down, however after talking to my dietition this week (First time since dx'd almost two weeks ago) she said thats ridiculous to do that and its a waste of strips. Well I can see the point in that, I am allowed 100 strips a month and if I test 3, 4 or 5 times a day, sometimes more depending on what im testing, then i will run out of strips before the next month comes along so this makes sense to me to test to test foods out but on the other hand seems crazy to use so many strips. does this make sense?

Mothernature · #2 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 08:12 PM

A dietitian is not a doctor. A dietitian should not dispense advice on testing.

Such testing makes a lot of sense. There is a lot be told what number occurs at the one hour postprandial. If a reading hits over 160, it means your body can not handle the food at that serving. It means the food must be reportioned or eliminated from the diet.

The other reason is >140 damages the body. It is time to move and burn off the sugar so the 2 hr postprandial is <140.

It's been stated here frequently, great control means

Fasting <100
1 hr <140
2 hr <120

The goal is to mimic the blood sugar of a non-diabetic as close as possible to reduce/avoid complications.

As far as your test strip quantity, call your insurer. Many allow you to fill at 200-300 strips a month at the same cost of 100. You will need a new prescription though.

foxl · #3 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 08:16 PM

My first reaction was, then find another dietitian!

If you test at one and two hours after trying each commonly-consumed food, you WILL reach a point where it is no longer that often, because you will be repeating many meals. My goodness, an ounce of prevention is, in the case of D, worth a TON of cure. That dietitian needs more experience ... like visiting inpatients with severe, end-of-life complications.

genie86333 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009, 07:28 PM

Yes, it does take a lot more strips & cost you more money if you have to pay for them out of pocket. However, it costs a lot less in the long run if you learn how your body tolerates things now. After all, prosthetic limbs & wheelchairs are very expensive. So is laser eye surgery. And dialysis. Funerals are expensive too. Unless your dietician plans on paying for those things for you, I wouldn't listen to her advice on this matter.

Mothernature · #5 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genie86333

Yes, it does take a lot more strips & cost you more money if you have to pay for them out of pocket. However, it costs a lot less in the long run if you learn how your body tolerates things now. After all, prosthetic limbs & wheelchairs are very expensive. So is laser eye surgery. And dialysis. Funerals are expensive too. Unless your dietician plans on paying for those things for you, I wouldn't listen to her advice on this matter.

You forgot the 220% higher risk for breast cancer or 1.4x risk for colon cancer.

poodlebone · #6 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009, 08:02 PM

A dietitian should be well aware that different foods can have a drastically different effect on your BG and the only way to know is by testing!

kgm0612 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 07:32 AM

Jennifer.........do you have insurance? If so, ask your doctor to up your strips from 100 a month to 200.

Testing often is the only way you're going to know how the foods you're eating are effecting your blood sugar.

If you prefer not to test so often, then come up with some sort of schedule where today you test when you wake and then again before & after breakfast.......tomorrow, before & after lunch and prior to bedtime.......the next day, before & after dinner, and so on.

Karen

SteveFromIowa · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 08:14 AM

I met with my dietician yesterday for the second time since starting insulin. She encouraged me to continue to test often. For all the same reasons the posters on this thread have stated. She was thrilled that I was being pro-active with my disease and spending the time to learn from my fellow diabetics here in this forum.