Diabetes Questions & Answers
Your diabetes questions answered by our Experts and Community.

The Question

09/17/09 08:11 AM

"I have type 2 diabetes. My Dr. only gives me a script for 50 test strips, tto test only once a day. Shouldn't I test myself more than once a day?"

Asked By: calvinj

Category: Blood Glucose Monitoring

Background Info Hide

I'm taking, METFORMIN HCL 500MG twice a day and SIMVASTATIN 40MG half tablet once a day. My blood sugar at wake up is around 135 average. I've been on these meds for 4 mths. Should my count be lower?

Expert Answers (1)

09/18/09 07:24 PM

Dear calvinj. I know that testing your blood sugar would make you more confident about how you are doing throughout the day. Unfortunately, the price of testing strips is very high. About 50 cents to 1 dollar per strip. Many organizations restrict strips at your phase of diabetes because many studies show that frequent testing doesn't necessarily mean better outcomes, especially if you only take metformin. Metformin does not usually cause low blood sugars, so testing for that is not usually required. The small amount of strips can be save for times you really want to know what your reading is.... after intensive exercise, after eating a really large meal, below driving a long distance. As you start on more medications, your doctor will, undoubtedly, prescribe more strips.

Answered By: Janice Fisher

Accreditations: RD, LD, PHD, CDE, BC-ADM

Sources Show

(1 Answer)

Community Answers (13)

03/06/10 06:13 PM

IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE THEY WILL PAY YOU FOR A MONTHS SUPPLY6 - WHETHER YOUR DOC WRITES ONE A DAY A EIGHT A DAY TESTING - THE PAYMENT WILL BE THE SAME - EG 50 STRIPS $100 OR 100 STRIPS - STILL $100 - TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR CHANGE HIM!!

Answered By: kingsway3

FLAG

SourcesShow

03/05/10 03:58 PM

A lot depends on what you and your doctor plan to do with the information obtained from testing. If you're just logging it to say you've logged it, one might ask, "Why test at all?" If, on the other hand, you want to figure out what your best timing is of metformin versus simvastatin versus food, or if specific foods (or quantities of those foods) tend to make your blood glucose levels rise too high, or stay high too long, then detailed testing (and logging) is the way to go. Note also that since strips and lancets are over-the-counter items, you can always purchase more at the neighborhood super-drug or through mail-order. Of course you would be paying retail price, which might be more money per test than your insurance co-pay comes out to.

Answered By: tmana

FLAG

SourcesShow

10/16/09 11:17 PM

DUMP YOUR DR. AND GET ONE WHO IS UP TO DATE ON DIABETES. AS YOU HEAR FROM ALL HERE "DON'T GUESS TEST". AS LONG AS YOU ARE USING THE STRIPS TO TEST YOUR DR. SHOULD FIGHT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO GET YOU WHAT YOU NEED. IF YOU DON'T TEST WHO LOOSES A LEG OR THEIR SIGHT, YOU OR YOUR DR OR THE INSURANCE COMPANY PERSON.? ALL THAT BEING SAID IF YOU ASK FOR ADDITIONAL STRIPS SO YOU CAN SELL THEM ON E-BAY THEN YOU SHOULD BE SHOT.... AND I'AM NOT TALKING INSULIN.......

Answered By: Dunigan

FLAG

SourcesShow

10/01/09 08:19 AM

you are wrong. By definition, when a type 2 becomes insulin dependent they are now considered a type 1. You need to check with your doctor about this. I thought as you do until I spoke with a doctor and found out i was wrong. Just ask your doctor and stay informed.

Answered By: darrin

FLAG

SourcesShow

09/29/09 09:41 AM

FYI - TYPE 2 Diabetes cannot / does not 'turn into' Type 1. The response implying that it can or will is misleading and that person is misinformed. Type 2 can eventually require insulin to manage your BG but the Type 2 diabetic is not insulin dependant as Type 1 is

Answered By: schmijl

FLAG

SourcesShow

09/25/09 11:30 PM

You should be getting your expert advice from an expert on diabetes, not an internist, or nurse, but an actively practicing endocrinologist who is up to date on he latest research. The idea that BG testing is done just to prevent you from becoming hypoglycemic is wrong. Modern testing is done to gather data to improve your management. All the comprehensive studies agree that the better you can control your BG levels, the lower your likelihood of future complications. The meta-studies indicate that you can reduce the likelihood of your diabetes progressing to type 1 by keeping your BG low and in control, and avoiding highs during the day. Whether you have type 2 of type 1 diabetes, REGARDLESS of the type of medication you take, testing once a day won't give you enough information to improve your control. You need to be aware of your levels over the course of the day - highs as wells as lows and fasting levels. It is actually harder for you to control your A1C as a person with type 2 than for a person with type 1 on intensive MDI, once a day testing isn't enough. Insurance companies are required by law to pay for diabetes drugs and testing supplies - REGARDLESS of cost- so long as they are medically necessary. See an endocrinologist.

Answered By: psdaengr

FLAG

SourcesShow

09/25/09 03:05 PM

My insurance would only pay for testing 3 times a day when I was on Metformin/Januvia. When I went on Lantus and then Humolog, I had to tell my doc that I would be testing 8-10 times a day; when I got up, before and after meals, at bedtime and around my exercise routine. He sent papers to my insurance. No problem so far. I have the supplies to test and my syringes. Of course with any insurance, that can change in a heartbeat.

Answered By: mmcraver

FLAG

SourcesShow

1 2

(13 Answers)

Most Recent Blood Glucose Monitoring Questions:

Will A-Fib affect my sugar blood ...

I have type II diabetes. Can my blood sugar drop from in the 400's to 299 if I am not making my own insulin while taking glyburide-metformin only?

Can a type I go into DKA if they have not received any insulin via pump for more than 4-5 hrs even though their BS remains low to normal?

Why have my meter values suddenly skyrocketed the last 2 days?

This is canvas man. Thanks to all who answered my question. It seems like I struck a nerve. My A1c is 6.0 ,no drugs, just keeping carbs <40 daily.

Is hba1c an appropriate and accurate test for someone with alpha thalassemia minor? Based on my a1c results, about 7.0, I am told I should be on meds

12 Hours of not eating and my blood sugar score is the exact same. Shouldn't I have dropped at least a couple of points?

*** All information contained on dLife.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Our Expert Q&A is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional or for professional medical advice related to diabetes or another medical condition. Please contact your physician or medical professional with any questions and concerns about your medical condition.

Top Slideshows

dLife Daily Tips

Expert Answers (1)

Community Answers (13)

Most Recent Blood Glucose Monitoring Questions:

Browse Questions by Category

dLife Weekly Poll

More Diabetes Information

More dLife Information