topic Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing? in Wellness

Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

cherry — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 00:58:19 GMT

Well, I have always had normal A1C results, but my Dr has never told me I didn't need to test everyday

I have to go to see her in a few weeks, and I am going to ask her about this. I have a feeling she is going to say ,keep testing daily

https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterubel/2018/01/26/a-******-a-day-wont-keep-your-blood-sugar-away/#1affc1f4e2bb

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Q4u — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 01:05:59 GMT

I can eat the same things daily (and often do), but my stress levels can make a huge difference in my readings. I also have normal A1C readings, but will take my reading at least twice a day. This helps me understand if I'm a little (or a lot) stressed. If I am, I sit down with a hot cup of herbal tea. Really helps.....

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Q4u — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 01:12:27 GMT

I honestly don't believe that many Diabetic experts take into account anything other than food being responsible for BS spiking and higher A1C..... it's a multi-prong problem and I firmly believe that taking BS daily at least once is important.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Glittergal — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 01:26:00 GMT

My doctor told me to check three times a week--once before breakfast, and once before and after dinner.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Moonchilde — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 03:15:58 GMT

1) It’s going to depend on your doctor and how they choose to treat your diabetes - there’s a growing schism between those doctors who feel that low is good, low is better and those who feel that the new higher A1C levels are Da Thing and lots of people are being “overtreated” and numbers we have been taught are high, some doctors think are just swell. It makes me crazy.

2) It also depends on T1 or T2. Clearly, a T1 has to be testing all the time.

3) How long have you been diagnosed and testing, how steady are your numbers.

I was diagnosed about the same time as my supervisor at work. I was testing constantly because I hadn’t built up a knowledge bank of reactions/numbers. After 3-4 months, in a discussion with her I learned that she only tested maybe a couple times a week or if she ate something new, and her A1C was WNL (within normal limits) for a T2.

Another few months after that, I got to the same place. If your A1C is acceptable, you largely eat the same foods from day to day, you know what your numbers are 2 hrs pp and they’re okay/good - no reason to continue testing every bite I eat because my doctor is fine with my numbers.

These days I only test when I want to see what my BG is before I leave the house, if I feel shaky, or if I eat something I don’t eat all the time and am curious.

There is a difference between T1 and T2 testing, and between what they used to call “brittle” diabetics who are a loose cannon every time they eat, and diabetics who have a fairly steady reaction to food and medication.

Not going to be the same for everyone.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

151949 — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 03:25:31 GMT

Every patient is different - every doctor is different. Various doctors use various numbers. Our doctor is perfectly fine with my DH having an A1C of 7.0 though he takes a glucoser lowering med - but for me he insists I need to have my A1C under 6.1 despite I'm only on metformin. He is fine if DH's FBS is 140 - has a fit at me if mine is over 95 - go figure.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Trinity11 — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 03:45:47 GMT

I think the problem with this blanket statement is that not all Type 2 diabetics have the same amount of insulin resistance and after years of having Type 2 diabetes pancreatic function declines necessitating insulin injections.

The moment a Type 2 diabetic needs insulin, testing becomes mandatory. Just feeling good means little to nothing. Playing a guessing game testing once in awhile, if a patient is taking insulin, could be a disaster waiting to happen. Same for the patient that takes sulfonylureas which have the potential for hypoglycemia.

Also it is myth that only Type 1 diabetics go into ketoacidosis. The same can happen to a Type 2 diabetic that no longer produces much insulin. A simple C Peptide test can determine just how much the pancreas is functionig. If a patient only tests sporadically, they would have little to no idea what trends are taking place with their blood sugars. The night before they could have a 400 and the following morning have a 120. Without testing how would they know?

Of course, telling patients that they don't need to test daily will help the insurance companies to keep down costs. They are pretty strict with just how many strips they allow per day....even for an insulin dependent Type 1 diabetic. I have to supplement what insurance allows with Reli-On from Walmart which are less expensive. I test 6-8 times per day. Some Type 2 diabetics do the same on insulin.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

pinkmochi — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 03:48:18 GMT

@cherry You wouldn't test A1C daily since the A1C is a blood test showing the average blood glucose levels over the previous 3 months. You can test blood glucose levels daily.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

september — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 04:45:50 GMT

@Trinity11. Have you tried any type of continous glucose monitor? My daughter wears one. It's small and attaches to her belly. She prefers this to doing the numerous finger pricks.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

cherry — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 10:38:58 GMT

I do know that. I thought it was understood, I was talking about testing my blood sugar everyday @pinkmochi

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Trinity11 — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 14:41:42 GMT

wrote:
@Trinity11. Have you tried any type of continous glucose monitor? My daughter wears one. It's small and attaches to her belly. She prefers this to doing the numerous finger pricks.

I had issues with infection from it @september, so it didn't work for me. Thanks for the suggestion, though. I hope your daughter is doing well...

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

september — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 01:59:24 GMT

wrote:
wrote:
@Trinity11. Have you tried any type of continous glucose monitor? My daughter wears one. It's small and attaches to her belly. She prefers this to doing the numerous finger pricks.
I had issues with infection from it @september, so it didn't work for me. Thanks for the suggestion, though. I hope your daughter is doing well...

This is all new to her...she hasn't had an infection yet.

She's doing okay....was just diagnosed a few months ago, but has accepted that this is her life from now on.

I appreciate reading posts from those of you who share. It helps me understand what she's going through

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Tissyanne — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 16:49:14 GMT

What do you consider a normal A1C? Mine was 6.2 at one time, but after losing weight with WW my last 6 tests have been 5.2 or 5.3. I take 500 mg Metformin ER daily.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

cherry — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 17:07:34 GMT

I think it's 5.6 or below @Tissyanne

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Trinity11 — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 17:36:53 GMT

There have been some newer studies that claim older diabetics are being overtreated. My endocrinologist wants an A1C of 6.5 to 7 because she feels that hypoglycemia is worse and affect cognitive abilities as one ages. I am about to turn 65 but have been Type 1 since I was 17. When my A1C is in the 5's, I spend most of my time correcting hypoglycemic attacks.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

cherry — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 17:54:05 GMT

@Trinity11 It's good to know they are taking things like age into consideration

I think I have a milder form even though my morning readings are a bit high...I am always under 150 ,and well under it

But since my digestive upset I am not longer able to maintain the low numbers I used to... the Dr says it's connected

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

qualitygal — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 18:00:33 GMT

Wow, my father's did, and sometimes twice a day as noted by someone else on here.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Moonchilde — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 23:02:53 GMT

wrote:
What do you consider a normal A1C? Mine was 6.2 at one time, but after losing weight with WW my last 6 tests have been 5.2 or 5.3. I take 500 mg Metformin ER daily.

For a diabetic, that can depend on your doctor and what medical research has shown this month, or this year (or maybe this week). When I was diagnosed about 8 years ago, anything below 6 was normal, anything 6 to 6.5 was okay but not brilliant, and 6.6 and above was not good.

Now “it’s been decided” that an A1C of 7.1 and above is not good, but anything under that is “normal.” I heartily disagree with this POV and approach.

The latest studies have commented on “older patients”, but when you break down “what is older” and WHY they think that they are over-medicated is...OMG, does anyone (including the doctors) have common sense?

The study considers 65 year olds and 85 year olds in the same age group, physically and cognitively. Say what? Noooo. The study also hammers multiple hypoglycemic episodes, including those in T1 patients. IMO T1 and T2 are not, and should not be, treated identically.

So here am I, an “older” T2 under great control with an A1C my previous doctors were ecstatic about, seeing an MD who I swear wants my A1C to be 7! He is coming unglued because it’s “too good” at 5.4. He wants my A1C higher or he wants to eliminate half my meds. I’m appalled by this.

I suspect my A1C will be up next month simply because he lowered my dose of Metformin. He will be happy but I won’t be. If anything gets me to look for another doctor, it will be this issue. I am not in danger of either going low all the time (I wish) or keeling over in a faint because I take too many meds, am forgetful, blah blah. But he chooses to manage my diabetes as if I wasn’t diabetic. I find it creepy, and it affects my confidence in him.

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

GingerPeach — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:27:18 GMT

Oh, wow, @Moonchilde

I do not like bully doctors, I do not like them one bit.

They fuss and they grumble and make you commit.

You know your own tricks, you know them best.

You'll find your own way, and live long with much zest!

(apologies to Dr. Seuss)

Re: Type 2 diabetes doesn't need daily testing?

Trinity11 — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 01:32:39 GMT

wrote:
wrote:
What do you consider a normal A1C? Mine was 6.2 at one time, but after losing weight with WW my last 6 tests have been 5.2 or 5.3. I take 500 mg Metformin ER daily.

For a diabetic, that can depend on your doctor and what medical research has shown this month, or this year (or maybe this week). When I was diagnosed about 8 years ago, anything below 6 was normal, anything 6 to 6.5 was okay but not brilliant, and 6.6 and above was not good.

Now “it’s been decided” that an A1C of 7.1 and above is not good, but anything under that is “normal.” I heartily disagree with this POV and approach.

The latest studies have commented on “older patients”, but when you break down “what is older” and WHY they think that they are over-medicated is...OMG, does anyone (including the doctors) have common sense?

The study considers 65 year olds and 85 year olds in the same age group, physically and cognitively. Say what? Noooo. The study also hammers multiple hypoglycemic episodes, including those in T1 patients. IMO T1 and T2 are not, and should not be, treated identically.

So here am I, an “older” T2 under great control with an A1C my previous doctors were ecstatic about, seeing an MD who I swear wants my A1C to be 7! He is coming unglued because it’s “too good” at 5.4. He wants my A1C higher or he wants to eliminate half my meds. I’m appalled by this.

I suspect my A1C will be up next month simply because he lowered my dose of Metformin. He will be happy but I won’t be. If anything gets me to look for another doctor, it will be this issue. I am not in danger of either going low all the time (I wish) or keeling over in a faint because I take too many meds, am forgetful, blah blah. But he chooses to manage my diabetes as if I wasn’t diabetic. I find it creepy, and it affects my confidence in him.

@Moonchilde....in regard to treating Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics the same. I think from what I have read, Type 2 diabetics dependent upon insulin or sulfonylureas are the target for goals that perhaps someone taking Metformin would not be applicable.

I am not sure if you are taking sulfonylureas with metformin but if you are just taking metformin, I would think any physician should be happy with your low A1C. I can definitely understand your reluctance to run higher. After all is said and done, no matter what some random study says, having an A1C that is "normal" is far healthier than a higher one. You are to be congratulated for your ability to have such good control.