How often do you test?

Tokyo Cate · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 03:25 AM

How often to you test per day? How often has your doctor or health care team recommended you test per day?

I have been Type 1 for 15 years and have lived in Japan for 6 of those. Recently, I went off the pump and onto MDI and my endo now wants me to test ONCE A DAY??

Once a day is not realistic for me and I have to pressure my doctor to give me enough strips between visits to test four times a day

which I thought was standard and which works for me. Her argument is that I should listen to my body and respond to what it tells me, but as I am sure all of you know, the body often sends conflicting signals and I certainly don't want to base a correction bolus on what I THINK my body is telling me. I also don't want to go into a four hour meeting and space out just as they are getting to the good part.

I go back to my endo on 16 February and will, again, tell her that once a day is not suitable, but am interested to know if my idea of how often to test is archaic. Back in the early days when I was pumping, I was testing more like ten times a day, so feel like four is responsible.

JediSkipdogg · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 04:33 AM

Once a day is definitely NOT suitable. The MINIMUM should be once for EVERY shot injection you give. You should never give insulin without testing first. And personally, I think one should never eat without testing first. So one should test before they eat and before they inject. This just makes sure that you are getting everything correct.

KickStart101 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tokyo Cate

How often to you test per day? How often has your doctor or health care team recommended you test per day?

I have been Type 1 for 15 years and have lived in Japan for 6 of those. Recently, I went off the pump and onto MDI and my endo now wants me to test ONCE A DAY??

Once a day is not realistic for me and I have to pressure my doctor to give me enough strips between visits to test four times a day

which I thought was standard and which works for me. Her argument is that I should listen to my body and respond to what it tells me, but as I am sure all of you know, the body often sends conflicting signals and I certainly don't want to base a correction bolus on what I THINK my body is telling me. I also don't want to go into a four hour meeting and space out just as they are getting to the good part.
I go back to my endo on 16 February and will, again, tell her that once a day is not suitable, but am interested to know if my idea of how often to test is archaic. Back in the early days when I was pumping, I was testing more like ten times a day, so feel like four is responsible.

Hi Cate Welcome. OMG!! Has she gone mad?? You are a Type 1!! You
should test at least 4x a day. I test 6x, (5x, if I'm busy),up to 9x a day if I'm not feeling good or if my sugars are outta whack for some unknown
reason. My Doc definitely told me to test 6x at least.
Yes, most of the time if you are tuned into your body, you can tell where your sugar-level is about. But there are also times, you may feel low when you are normal or high, or the other way around. Nothing is perfect.
Why did you go off the pump? If you are on the pump, you are supposed to test around 10x a day. I also think Type 2's should test 2-4x a day. My Girlfriends Doc told her to test once a month. She's in the Quebec Province. I said her Doc is nuts. Get a Doc in my Province. She is about 240 lbs., Type 2. I can't imagine. I like to know where my sugars are so I can correct if needed. Where are you from originally?
Anyways, do your best to talk her into giving you a prescription for more a day. It's for your well-being. Good Luck and Keep Us Posted.

Tokyo Cate · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 05:32 AM

Yeah, I am type 1. Diagnosed in 1991 and I was on the pump (Minimed 506) from November 1993-2005 with reasonable results.

Now, if all goes well in a day, I take four injections a day--other days, as many as 6 or 7 mini ones (I hate going low).

I am from Victoria, BC and had very good care there, as well.

I agree that testing once a day is completely unreasonable and can't understand her rationale for that. I suppose if I kept better records (and I definitely have the guilt for failing to do that) maybe she would see why testing more than once a day keeps me conscious.

Thanks for your support.

KickStart101 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tokyo Cate

Yeah, I am type 1. Diagnosed in 1991 and I was on the pump (Minimed 506) from November 1993-2005 with reasonable results.
Now, if all goes well in a day, I take four injections a day--other days, as many as 6 or 7 mini ones (I hate going low).
I am from Victoria, BC and had very good care there, as well.
I agree that testing once a day is completely unreasonable and can't understand her rationale for that. I suppose if I kept better records (and I definitely have the guilt for failing to do that) maybe she would see why testing more than once a day keeps me conscious.
Thanks for your support.

She has no rationale. Is she mad that you went off the pump? Oiy, I
can't think what to do for you since I know little about Japan and their
rules. Is there a Human Rights Commission there for people from abroad??
Well, you certainly can't live there with those restrictions unless you have
a bit of money on the side to help pay for the strips. Are you a Teacher by chance and would your sponsership pay for your strips?
Geez, sorry, keep records, what else can you do? Plead with her or someone higher. Who is in charge of you being there? If it wasn't just
your decision to be there, I'd be peeing on someone elses head. (pardon the expression).

psilocybin · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 07:31 AM

new diabetic about here...i test about 8 times a day

TvBabe · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 08:05 AM

I'm a pumper and I test 9-11 times a day. Before when I was on MDI I tested around 6 times a day.

Cinnabon · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 08:24 AM

My docotr tols me that once, I said NO WAY... I test about 7-10 xs a day. Thats Y he cant say much after my A1C come back at 5.

am1977 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 09:53 AM

I think you need to find a new doctor

. I don't know what your current one is thinking

. Testing once a day is no way near enough for a Type 1. I think the minimum is about 4 times a day, and even that's being conservative. I test usually around 5 times a day and I'm considering testing even more.

Yes, I think Diabetics may be a little more in tune with their bodies than other people, but many times we are not correct in sensing where are levels stand. I know, personally, that I cannot rely just on how I feel. I've been way off target in the past

I would voice this to your doctor. If she doesn't agree or decide to up your supply of testing materials, I'd find another doctor. Testing is key to control. There have been many studies on how those who test often are more likely to have better control than those who do not.

Your health is TOO important- don't continue to take bad advice. Just b/c she's a medical professional doesn't mean that she knows what she is talking about- this shows you that doctors are NOT always right.

Tokyo Cate · #10 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 05:04 PM

I feel reassured. I will go back armed with your experiences and insist that I get my way (I have been, anyway. She has said once a day; I've said I would try but that I wanted enough strips for four times a day and she agreed).

I have no idea what she is thinking.

By the way, Kickstart101, she was the one who convinced me to go off the pump after I had persistent problems.

Cinnabon · #11 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 07:38 PM

You go in there tomm.... and like I have said before Ill call in the SWAT team to be outside waiting if you need them!

someone · #12 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 07:52 PM

I usually test about 10 times a day.

Cyborg · #13 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 09:18 PM

i hear a duck

quack quack

amccrazgrl · #14 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 10:55 PM

"The MINIMUM should be once for EVERY shot injection you give. You should never give insulin without testing first. " says jedi

I agree with that. I test before breakfast(wake 10:30am) and before dinner. The I also test if I don't feel right like headache or drinking a lot or something that is a sign of low/high blood sugars.

I don't see how anyone can test over 4 times but maybe thats just b/c for the almost 10yrs I've been diabetic I haven't tested often. I use to just check the week before I went for my appointment. Then I got my endo and that wouldn't cut it so I did it for a month before and she didn't like that. So I said 2 times a day. My A1C's are also always and have been at the 6.5 standard maybe .1 or .2 over or under. My endo laughs at me everytime I'm in there b/c shes like I don't know how you do it you don't test often and yet your below the guidlines and now I'm pumpin I been lower.

Colin_G · #15 (**permalink**) 02-13-2006, 01:48 AM

I test at least six times a day; once before each meal and then exactly two hours afterwards.

I once had a G.P. who told me to test once a day and was keen to get me back onto two injections a day. This would, by all accounts, have been a retrograde step as I was (and still am) taking four shots daily, counting carbs, etc. with a view to starting pump therapy. He was a bit old-fashioned, I think; maybe didn't understand modern treatment practices? Sounds like your doc might be a bit this way?

You definitely need several tests to know where you're at at any given time. If I forget to test I feel a bit like I'm stumbling around in the dark.

Good luck.