I notice that packs of replacement test strips often come with a much lesser quantity of lancets. Does that mean we can use them until they get blunt 
I'm now using a Contour Next USB model after previously using a Freestyle Freedom Lite.
The Contour gives an error message if I try to reuse a test strip but the Freestyle did not concern itself with that and experiments showed the same reading whether it was a previously used strip.
HI seasider18 ,
The lancets and strips of any testing kit should be used only once because once a strip is exposed to the open air of the room/outdoors areas, the strips/lancets can be not as healthy as the first time being used. How many strips and lancets did you get for a prescription from your doctor? What times of day do you test your blood sugars?
I'm not on any treatment and just do occasional testing for a few day to see how my readings are. My GP says that unless you are type 1 and injecting that it is not really necessary.
Mostly if testing I do it first thing in the morning.
Are the numbers in the morning usually under 120 mg/dl?
Yes.
Do you count carbs for each meal and snack?
Hi
I’m intrigued - why do use those units rather than the “normal” units in the UK mmol/L?. Are you in America?
Miles
It always amazes me that we do not have standard international numbers for so many blood readings. It makes for very difficult communication.
That’s true. I agree.😀👍
I am from the USA.😀👍
Aha - # hello America, how are you #😁👍
I’m doing good. Just got done with my breakfast now. Two hard boiled eggs and a Greek yogurt. Lots of protein and low carb..😀👍
Hello seasider18
You are supposed to use a new lancet each time. It is up to you, however, me and most people I know of don't do this.
Personally I use the same lancet until I change the pack of strips - I realise this might not be the best, but it would be a real nuisance otherwise - given how often I test blood glucose I would be creating a lot of used sharps.
My fingers are full of holes, but this seems to be a common side effect of regular testing - note to self - I must try and change lancets a bit more frequently - maybe once a week!
Whatever works for you seasider18
Best wishes
As a Canny Scot your method sounds good to me
Ha ha - one canny Scot to another!
It's the deep fried Mars Bars that cause the trouble in Scotland :-)
In 2004 my doctor checked my blood sugar as a matter of routine as he did once a year. He said 'Its 18, your diabetic' I said No I’m not, I've been eating a lot of Manuka Honey and Butterscotch.
Manuka honey is good for coating your oesophagus if you have acid reflux and I had been eating butterscotch as a substitute after stopping smoking.
After six months it was down to the then accepted borderline before they moved the goal posts and he said I was glucose intolerant. Then they decided you could not be that you had to fall in line and be T2.
I'm pretty sure the occasional mars bar won't hurt as long as you exercise it off! The real problem is the daily mutton pies!! I know more than one person who has had to change that bad habit.
I used to love the Mutton Pies at Easter Road when I lived in Edinburgh. When I stated going they were Fourpence in old money each. Now I believe a pie maker owns Hearts.
Ha ha - I don't want to get involved in any bad football talk about Craig Levein lol!
I used to know a security guard in Glasgow that always ate his mutton pie the same way - eat all the crust off first and leave the meat inside for last!! Keeping on topic I wonder if anyone has analysed how much carbs and saturated fat there is in one of those things - or indeed if there is any protein at all!!
I think it was Safeway's who used to sell them in England but never see them nowadays. Our local M&S had a massive number of reduced price Haggis after Burns Night.
Morrisons is the best place for Haggis. My wife won't eat it though and we always have the vegetarian option. It's quite tasty, but you need to be careful with slow release carbs - can put the blood sugar up high later in the evening if you don't factor that in.
Presumably that is their own make not one of the real Scottish ones. We seldom shop in Morrison's as although there is a huge one here it would be an awkward journey for by bus. Then there is the escalator to navigate.
youtube.com/watch?v=xUFUe8Q...
There have evidently been several accidents and runaway trolleys
They have one of those at the big Tesco here - I don't like it either. The haggis at Morrisons is a Scottish make though and very nice too.
I'm new and very confused
Can you help NICE develop guidance for the NHS on diabetes?
Newbie post - unexplained prediabetes.
