December 22, 2009

FTNW: To Strip or Not to Strip

That is the Question for non insulin using type 2s in Ontario.

From the News Wire: A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal challenges the need for self testing of non insulin using type 2s. The idea is that multiple daily test of BG of seniors with type 2, who are not on insulin, doesn’t produce actionable information as there is little rish of hypos. Testing may just create stress. The cost of strips is substantial and the report suggest the resources would be better spent on other T2 care alternatives.

None of this applies to T1 or insulin using T2s who risk hypos from injected insulin.

YDMV who would have thought it?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gKgjmhG7ZVn8J-fUL5FhXrpI2NAw

4 comments :

  1. My mother is a non-insulin-using type 2 and she basically stopped testing herself too. She knew how she felt when she ate something that raised her BGs. She knew how she felt when she "needed to eat". She used to test and finally told the Dr. enough. Her A1C stays around 6.0 and she knows if it goes higher, she needs to test more and change her eating habits.

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  2. A little surprising. I am an insulin using T2, but even if I wasn't using insulin, I would want to test - basically I would want to see how certain foods effect my BG so I can continue eating theat food or avoid eating them. I would also want to see how my BG was effected by exercise, etc.

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  3. Neurosurg: My mother is 75 years old with multiple medical conditions - she certainly isn't worried about the affect of exercise, unless walking up the stairs is considered exercise. She used to check but she's been T2 for a number of years now and she knows how most food affect her and what she needs to avoid and not - she can also feel highs in the 170 range - she rarely gets there. She also doesn't use insulin, which makes a BIG difference.

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  4. My 75-year-old mother is the only one of her peers with diabetes who has not been advised to test. She is of the "as long as my doctor says my sugar's OK and I take the pills he prescribes, that's good enough" school.

    On the other hand, I'm a diet-controlled Type 2, and I find testing to be essential. It helps me to control the highs by adjusting my diet, and lets me and my doctor know how my condition is (or is not) progressing.

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