[blutch]

Hi all,

I am "borderline" type II and am new to the whole diabetes thing. However, my mother has had it for 15 years. She is on insulin.

I was told to get a monitor and start testing after meals to determine what foods give me the most trouble. My last lab test put my level at 120.

I bought a FreeStyle and set it up tonight. I tested it with the sample stuff and the level came out within the range listed on the test strip bottle.

So, I tested it on myself. My first test was 306! I figured that was an error, so I tested the tester again and it was within specifications, but not close to the of the first test. IT was about 8-9 pts higher.

So, I tested on myself again. It read 286.. tested a 3rd time and got 282.

Is it possible my level is that high? Shouldn't I feel awful if that's the case?

Please excuse me if these are dumb rookie questions... I'm clueless. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated.

B

[blutch]

I have another clueless question, so I thought I would just add it to my own thread. )

Do get testing strips through your insurance do you need some kind of prescription from you Doc or can you just run the purchase through your insurance at the pharmacy?

Thanks!


B

[seacomp]

Welcome. I hope we can help.

Unfortunately, those reading are very possible depending on what you ate. If, for example, you had pasta then 300 might very well be seen.
I can't comment on how you are feeling. Everyone is different. Some people here say they know when they are high (as in blood glucose). I never could feel it myself.
On the strips, it depends on your insurance company. But it's best to get a doctor's prescription for as many strips as you can. The more you test the better off you are, or can be. With a script, you have justification to the insurance company to get the number prescribed. Their default for Type 2, is likely only one or two tests per day.

[Peter Lee]

Originally Posted by blutch

So, I tested on myself again. It read 286.. tested a 3rd time and got 282.

Is it possible my level is that high? Shouldn't I feel awful if that's the case?

Please excuse me if these are dumb rookie questions... I'm clueless. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated.

B

When I was first diagnosed, my level was 450 and I had no idea that anything was wrong - I was picked up during a routine blood test in connection with blood pressure. So yes you could be up there without feeling bad.

No question is a dumb question. Any question is worth asking if it helps.

[liz32]

hey and welcome, I just buy my strips and the pharmacy puts them through to the insurance company so I only pay my 20%. I don't need a prescription per say but it works the same way. I am in canada and use sunlife if that's any help.
Liz

[JediSkipdogg]

You have some very simple and good questions.

The first being your reading being so high. You have probably been at that level for quite some time, therefore your body is use to it and it feels natural. When you bring your levels back within range, you may feel odd for a few weeks, that is because your body might not be use to normal. Once your body gets attuned to normal again, then anytime you run high you will most likely be able to tell.

Now for the test strips. I would call your insurance company first. I know many are touchy with what they allow type 2s to use since care for type 2s vary greatly. Some doctors say test once a week, some say test twice a day or more. So you need to find out what your doctor wants you to test (I recommend at least twice a day), then call your insurance company and find out what they will cover and see if you need a prescription. Then if you need one, your doctor should be able to fill it over the phone and mail it to you.

If you have anymore questions, just ask away.

[psilocybin]

when i was first diagnosed i was in ketoacidosis (sp?)....i was 846, so yes it is possible, remember to wash your hands befor testing to. ive made that mistake a couple times

[Doetsch]

I personally don't start feeling it until I am in the mid 500's. It is as they say - different for everyone. As for the accuracy of your meter. You are not going to get the same exact reading eachtime even if you check immediately after. I would only be concerned if it is a large variation. For example. You check and it read 400 then you check again and it says 100. If it is within 50 or so points I would not be concerned with it.

Most Insurance companies in the states require a Prescription for test strips to be covered. I would tell your doctor to write you a script to check at least 5 times a day that way the insurance will cover all of your testing.

I hope this helped.

[Ritehsedad]

I see this question hasn't been asked above (or at least I missed it!) so I'll ask...

How long after eating did you test? Generally speaking, you should test 2 hours after you START eating. Also generally speaking, if your BG level at 2 hours is 140 or less, then its considered ok (non-diabetics generally don't get over 130 very much, and occasionally to 140).

Good Luck!

[blutch]

Thank you all for the thoughtful and friendly answers. Nice to come to a new forum and have helpful, kind people!

I talked to a couple of diabetic friends and they said the same thing - you are just used to high levels and don't feel differently.

I wonder though how my levels at the lab can be so much lower? I usually have taken them after fasting over night.

THanks again.

B

[seacomp]

Originally Posted by blutch

I wonder though how my levels at the lab can be so much lower? I usually have taken them after fasting over night.

BG levels go all over the place depending on time of day, food eaten, exercise, etc. There is a pattern to how it goes, but that pattern is individual to each one of us. That's why you test, test, test.