70 Mach 1
Well-known member
hate to keep paying $25 copay every 6 months just to get my finger pricked
Omnipotent1
Well-known member
What’s up my friend. I asked my brother he said “Blood draw would be the most sensitive but the home testing technology improved a lot and isn’t bad”
He’s diabetic too, but has background in pharma. If you ever have questions relating to anything medical related especially diabetes or cancers I can always get you in touch with him… he’s a transparent fountain of knowledge.
He was using a Dexcom Stelo which he was able to monitor on his phone. Those can be off by 10-20%. However they’re a good real time gauge to keep an eye on things especially if you’re having a rough patch.. Sending good vibes your way brother.
rob13v
New member
I think of the finger pricker / drop of blood on a strip devices kind of like a watercolor picture. They give you an idea of what's going on, but they're likely not very accurate. More accurate is viewing the trend the results show over a week/month, etc. You can do the same with a CGM, fwiw.
A CGM (like the DexCom or Libra things) are 'real-time' snapshots of how your body is responding to an insulin 'event', but, as @Omnipotent1 said above, they can VERY off. I had several tell me that my blood sugar was over 300, below 40, normal, back up to mid-200s, etc all in the space of about 5 minutes. When I checked with the finger pricker I found that my blood sugar was actually in the 'normal' range (for me). I removed the CGM & discontinued using them altogether.
When I need to check regularly I just buy a cheap finger pricker at Wally's or CVS or whatever. Insurance wants me on a CGM & won't cover the cost of the test strips for a finger pricker, but those are cheap, so...
A CGM (like the DexCom or Libra things) are 'real-time' snapshots of how your body is responding to an insulin 'event', but, as @Omnipotent1 said above, they can VERY off. I had several tell me that my blood sugar was over 300, below 40, normal, back up to mid-200s, etc all in the space of about 5 minutes. When I checked with the finger pricker I found that my blood sugar was actually in the 'normal' range (for me). I removed the CGM & discontinued using them altogether.
When I need to check regularly I just buy a cheap finger pricker at Wally's or CVS or whatever. Insurance wants me on a CGM & won't cover the cost of the test strips for a finger pricker, but those are cheap, so...
Geo
Well-known member
Why bother, eat better and you won't have to worry about it.
70 Mach 1
Well-known member
I have been. Also lost 25 pounds cutting out sugars fast foods and sodas.
I never had a problem. Highest was 5.9 when i wasn't watching what i ate
Now past 5 years im Usually im 5.2 or 5.3
But i have diabetes on both sides so i like to check it every 6 months
Just hate doing the $25 co pay which i think now went to $35 on January 1st.
Last test i binged ate and drank the few nights before just to see where it would land.
I told doc it may be up there so dont panic
Was 5.3 anyway
rob13v
New member
Ultimately, yeah, this is an answer for some folks. I was T2, was put on meds, told I needed to check my sugar multiple times a day, etc. I followed those instructions and also worked on exactly what you stated. Great thing (for me) was that I learned what effect foods, portions, order of eating, fasting, etc did by learning to read the results of those tests. So, I 'bothered' so that I could learn. I wouldn't suggest that to my T1 friends, though.
Geo
Well-known member
Diet is everything not just sugars but preservatives and artificial ingredients.
Geo
Well-known member
T1, you have no choice but to be a pharma whore unfortunately.
Yes, timing is even more important than portion size. No eating or drinking 3 hours before bed.
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