Blood Glucose Monitor

[Blodders2]

Hi all after having had a result of 48 on my Hba1c test I am thinking of purchasing a blood sugar level monitor to keep a check on things, anyone point me in the right direction?

[Fatsiajaponica]

Ooh Blodders, you ask all the right questions, I'll wait for the replies!

[Koalajane]

I think the monitors are much of a muchness. The price of the test strips is what is expensive!

I have an Agamatrix Wavesense Jazz monitor provided by my GP surgery, but they are not easy to come by. There are plenty of monitors being sold on Ama##n. I have seen people mention the Sinocare and accucheck as being good. you also need one that measures in mmol.

[Blodders2 in reply to Koalajane]

I do have a Accu Chek Mobil monitor which you have to purchase cassettes for but they come as 50 or 100 the trouble is they can have a very short expiry date which I found out when I went to use it, I don't need to use it every day so it can as you say work out to be expensive so that's why I am thinking of purchasing a cheaper one. Thank you

[Fatsiajaponica in reply to Blodders2]

I've just had a look at past related posts and it seems that it may not be worth using BS monitors as pred makes the liver produce spikes of glucose, randomly, which if you test at that time could be alarming! So, bottom line not really reliable and worth waiting for the next Hb1c blood test which covers the last 3 months with a bias towards the last 4 weeks.

[Blodders2 in reply to Fatsiajaponica]

Thank you, I will leave it as don't want my blood pressure to rocket up after seeing high blood sugar levels 😤😀

[Koalajane in reply to Blodders2]

I started by discovering when I got the spikes. Mine happen about 4 hours after taking pred and dies down about 5 to 6 hours after. I found this out by testing a lot! Of course the CGMs would help with that and you can get one on free trial I think.

I now avoid eating in the spike times so breakfast and then evening meal no lunch!

[Viveka]

Purchase a continuous blood glucose monitor - they are pricey but you don't need to use them all the time. Just to get a baseline of what triggers your blood sugar spikes. Then whenever you want another look at what's going on. Haven't looked at what level of pred you are on but once you get around 5 ish the spikes should be far less. Have a look at one of my posts about CGMs and others have posted too.

[Blodders2 in reply to Viveka]

I have been up and down with pred since I started in June, started on 15mg now up to 20mg Oh for the day when I get down to 5mg. What is the make of the continuous monitor you mentioned or are you not supposed to say on this sight due to advertising.

[Viveka]

I used freestyle libre 2 . There's another brand that seemed good too, can't remember its name. You could also look at the Zoe website.

[Mfaepink1973]

I got a Freestyle libre 2 on 2 weeks free trial which was interesting but I wouldn’t use one regularly firstly because they are very expensive (£50+for 2weeks!) and secondly not worth it while you are on pred because of the random sugar spikes. I’ve gone back to the finger prick testing which I think is more accurate

[Blodders2 in reply to Mfaepink1973]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Honestly, just cut your carbs drastically, especially processed ones, added sugar and limit fruit and root veg. You can't influence the liver effect on releasing spikes of glucose, you can influence the added dietary effect, and koalajane reversed Type 2 diabetes just by doing that. Steroid induced diabetes is another animal and needs different management though medication will do something.

Keep a food diary - an honest one! - and work out what carbs you are eating! If you are also looking at weight control, you may need to get very low, well under 50g carbs a day. Not sure what that does to Hba1c but it is a good guide and not one you obsess over on a daily basis, having it done every 3 months will do as long as it is stable and on the low side, If it climbs, you may want to keep a closer eye on it. 48 is as high as you want to let it go ideally - what was it before pred, do you know?

If you have the money to use a CGM bear in mind they are NOT perfect and may lag a long time behind. You can use one to identify which particular foods spike YOUR BS levels and avoid them as far as possible. Or see how exercise affects your BS level - just a walk shortly after eating can have a massive effect. Or, as koalajane did, find the time window where pred is shoving your BS up and avoid adding to that effect by restricting food intake then.

[Blodders2 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. My HBa1c was 34 last year, 38 just before I started prednisolone. I will try very hard and put your advice reference carbs into practice.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blodders2]

Any idea why it had risen in that time?

[Blodders2 in reply to PMRpro]

No, the only thing I can think of is that it increased a lot after I started taking prednisolone.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blodders2]

Well yes, pred will increase the average BS, but you said it had risen BEFORE you started pred.

[Blodders2 in reply to PMRpro]

I have no idea why it increased the first time as I had not changed my diet or put on any weight, whether the result was an error.

[Jens44 in reply to Blodders2]

The good news is Blodders, your HbA1c is now down to 48, congratulate yourself on that. It really is a huge plus in your favour.

Prednisolone really does affect blood glucose levels for me to the point I had to get the paramedics out. So now I di what I can to keep myself out of harms way where the risk of expoosure to colds or virus can lead to chest infection which inevitable leads to having to take ABs and prednisolone.

Keep up the good work.

[Hidden]

I have used the Abbott glucose sensor twice now. It's a useful tool. I take my pred with breakfast and by lunchtime my glucose spikes and stays high end of normal. I generally wait 7-8 hours before I eat my next meal. I try and eat low carb meals most of the time. My first sensor was free and the second one I bought. I plan on getting another one when I've tapered down a bit more.

x

[Blodders2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Jens44]

Hi Blodders, I am living with Type II Diabetes, your HbA1c is normal and healthy, I am not sure why you would need a blood glucose monitor. Nor would it be necessary to go low carb diet unless you want to lose weight. You know low blood glucose can be as risky as high blood glucose. Take good care, check out the diabetes organisation normal range for the country you currently reside. Best wishes for your good health.

[Blodders2 in reply to Jens44]

My last HbA1c test in August was 55 which is high.

[Jens44 in reply to Blodders2]

No not high, not even prediabetic .

Normal: HbA1c below 5.7%

Prediabetes: HbA1c between 5.7% and 6.4%

Diabetes: HbA1c of 6.5% or higher

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jens44]

Hba1c of 55mmol/mol is diabetic - NOT 5,5%

[Jens44 in reply to PMRpro]

yes the other chart explains:

HbA1c mmol/mol %

Normal Below 42 mmol/mol Below 6.0%

Prediabetes 42 to 47 mmol/mol 6.0% to 6.4%

Diabetes 48 mmol/mol or over 6.5% or over

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jens44]

I quote what you said to Blodders2, "No not high, not even prediabetic".

Nowhere in your chart does mmol/mol appear.

[Jens44 in reply to PMRpro]

It does you know, both mmol and percentage. see above and below

[tangocharlie in reply to Jens44]

55 is considered high and in the diabetic range, doctors like to see 47 or under ideally

[Jens44 in reply to tangocharlie]

I think its because to me 55 mmol would be fab I would be very happy with such a low reading.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jens44]

It is in the diabetic range and I think you are confusing the units. Your chart has mmol/L, not mmol per mol.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jens44]

We are not diabetics, your experiences are not entirely relevant and you have confused the units and figures.

[tangocharlie in reply to Jens44]

I have a friend who is T2D and if she stays around the 60 mark she gets praised by the diabetes nurse. I don't get it, to me that says she needs to change her diet not take meds and carry on as before

[Jens44 in reply to tangocharlie]

I think you would probably have to experience it yourself to understand its not always easy as just diet. It tends to get worse with age as well, horible to have to take meds to control it. Insulin Resistance, its to do with the Pancreas not functioning properly.

[tangocharlie in reply to Jens44]

I understand not everybody can be 'cured' and go into remission once they have T2D, but also there's no point eating bread and cakes and biscuits every day and hoping a pill or injection will sort you out. One of the first books I read on the topic was Michael Mosley's the Blood sugar diet and he described how diabetes meds often worsened insulin resistance in the long run. I don't recall reading that it necessarily gets worse with age so I'd be interested to read more about that if you have any info.

[Jens44 in reply to tangocharlie]

check Web MD and Diabetes UK , NHS Inform "diabetes gets worse with age, it declines over time" in my own case I am dealing with more than one health issue, and the meds for one cause my blood glucose to rise further, so you see no one size fits all, aside from that my diabetes was drug induced triggered by pneumonia and oral steroids to treat that. I do find that some people automatically assume its bread and cakes but really that is very narrow minded.

[tangocharlie in reply to Jens44]

You are putting words in my mouth. I never said T2 diabetes is always caused by cakes I said that eating the wrong things like cakes and carbs when you have it only makes blood sugar control worse. Steroids and some other meds cause their own blood sugar spikes so you need to work around that with what you eat to minimise glucose level rises from food. If you read some of my posts, I and many other people have learned to control blood sugar levels and get out of the diabetes zone by being careful with what we eat and when. I'm guessing you are new to diabetes so I'd recommend you read Dr Michael Mosley's books like The Blood sugar diet as it explains it all in a very user-friendly way

[Jens44 in reply to tangocharlie]

I also recommend those who have been diagnosed to request and attend the education training course for either type I or type II, NHS do them and also there is free training at the two Patient UK website for both Desmond or Dafne Couses. I highly recommend. Your GP or diabetic (registered nurse) can refer you to the NHS course as well as others that you may be able to access locally.

farewell folks, Wishing all wellness this winter.

[Jens44 in reply to Blodders2]

This may help

diabetes.co.uk/what-is-hba1...

HbA1C indicator

[tangocharlie]

I did the Zoe programme initially where you get a CGM then wanted to continue the experiments so they directed me to Abbott. I got one free then bought another one, then subsequently bought 2 more that I haven't used yet. i found it extremely useful and wrote posts on my findings. Most of all I learned that for me Pred causes a spike about 3 hours after taking it and glucose stays elevated for about another 3-4 hour after that, so I avoid eating anything that could cause further spikes during that time period. I remember two experiments, one where I had a toasted sandwich and the glucose reading shot up and stayed up and another when I had afternoon tea complete with sandwiches, cakes etc and the readings were off the scale for hours and hours. Enjoy using the CGM. Plan ahead what experiments you want to try eg taking the Pred at different times, eating the same meal but at different times, with or without exercise after etc etc

freestyle.abbott/uk-en/home...

[Jens44 in reply to tangocharlie]

If you are meaning Prednisolone, I am assuming most everyone knows that if prescribed prednisolone, that it is advisable to take pred same time daily preferably in the morning ( breakfast time reasons known to many). Should anyone doubt this please speak with your GP or read the leaflet that accompanies the med. Be well, be well informed.

[tangocharlie in reply to Jens44]

Jens44 I'm not sure what you are trying to say here but be assured I am very very well informed about taking Pred after 12 years of having PMR and supporting other people with it. What is your background, you haven't put anything in your profile?

[Jens44 in reply to tangocharlie]

Your suggestion "Plan ahead what experiments you want to try eg taking the Pred at different times, eating the same meal but at different times£"

Suggesting people experiment with taking prednisolone at different times just to see how it affects blood glucose is just not recommended (20 years) here.

Also people with diabetes are advised to eat regularly at the same time.

Keep well everyone. Best to do ones own training and research to be sure of what actually is recommended.

[tangocharlie in reply to Jens44]

You can take your steroids at whatever time suits you, some take it at 2am, others when they wake up which might be 7 or 9am. Some take it before bed, some split the dose. I checked with my specialists and there was no harm doing these experiments, for example delaying the steroids for a few hours to see what happened to glucose levels. In fact my rheumatologist and GP were fascinated by my findings. A lot of the old advice re diabetes is now redundant too, the BMA isued new guidelines to GPs a few years ago in the light of all the new research but there is widespread variation in knowledge amongst GPs. I respectfully suggest you read the info on the website you advocated such as:

diabetes.co.uk/controlling-...

diabetes.co.uk/diet-for-typ...

[Blodders2]

Thank you all for your helpful and informative comments, I have purchased a GM, I am being very careful about what I am eating and so far it seems to be working my HBA1c levels are moving down in the right direction. Take care all 🙂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blodders2]

Your HBa1c is unlikely to change very quickly - it is an average of the last 3 months BS levels.