Time to test. Do you do it enough? Essential advice for people with diabetes from Accu-Chek

Transcription

1 Do you do it enough? Essential advice for people with diabetes from Accu-Chek Regular tests provide valuable information for both you and your diabetes team Find out what level of testing is recommended for you Understand what your results mean and how to act on them Consult your doctor or nurse if your blood glucose is always above 9mmol/L Time to test For more about the range of free diabetes information booklets, call Accu-Chek Customer Careline: PM (UK) (ROI) or log on to ACCU-CHEK is a trademark of a Member of the Roche Group Roche Diagnostics Limited. Roche Diagnostics Limited, Charles Avenue, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9RY Company Registration Number:

2 Why do I need to check my blood glucose?...like eating andd breathing, it s something I just have to do. Emma, 31 Going for a jog, drinks after work, eating out or a sneaky midnight snack; these are things most people take for granted, unless you have diabetes. low levels can give you a hypo. Only by keeping your blood glucose under control can you greatly reduce the risk of ill health now and in the future. Doing unplanned exercise, drinking alcohol and missing meals can mean problems with your blood glucose. But while high blood glucose levels are linked to health problems later in life, Blood glucose testing is an important way of keeping an eye on what s going on and an essential tool for managing your diabetes.

3 Making blood glucose e testing work for you...the less I stick the more I feel to my routine I should test. Carrie, 42 Not everyone with diabetes has to test their blood glucose regularly, but it can play an important role in your diabetes care. For people on tablets it can be helpful to clarify certain situations, and for those on insulin it provides essential information on a daily or even hourly basis. Blood glucose testing An essential tool for people with diabetes For you Makes you aware of when your blood glucose is too high (10mmol/L) or too low (4mmol/L) For normal range in pregnancy please see Chek-It-Out leaflet Planning a pregnancy? Tells you how your body reacts to changes in your exercise/diet For your doctor or nurse Establishes control when starting/changing medication Tracks the effects of your treatment Gives information to adjust your treatment For your insulin treatment Ensures your dose meets your body s needs Checks your blood glucose is controlled after a meal Helps detect low blood glucose at night (hypos)

4 Should I be testing g my blood glucose? For type 1 diabetes Your diabetes is specific to you. Whether you test or how often depends on your type of diabetes, your treatment and your individual circumstances. You should decide with your doctor when and how often you should test. To help guide you, here are some targets and current recommendations. Children and young people Should aim for a blood glucose reading before meals between 4-8 mmol/l and an after meal reading of less than 10 mmol/l Using twice and multiple daily injections should at least test before meals, at bedtime and occasionally at night-time Trying to improve their blood glucose control e.g. during an illness should measure at least four times a day Adults Should test regular to achieve a pre-meal reading of between 4-7 mmol/l and an after meal reading of less than 9 mmol/l May normally test between 2-4 times a day based on their treatment and individual needs May need to test more regularly if they are poorly controlled or during an illness Pregnant women with diabetes Should aim for a pre-meal blood glucose reading of between mmol/l and an after meal reading below 7.8 mmol/l May be advised to measure their blood glucose before and after every meal On insulin injections should test their blood glucose before bedtime Will agree with their doctor on blood glucose targets that reduce their risk of hypoglycaemia

5 Should I be testing g my blood glucose? For type 2 diabetes Not all patients with Type 2 diabetes need to test their blood glucose regularly. However, when you are learning about your diabetes, regular testing may help teach you how to manage it. Your diabetes is specific to you. Whether you test or how often depends on your type of diabetes, your treatment and your individual circumstances. You should decide with your doctor when and how often you should test. To help guide you, here are some targets and current recommendations. Patients with Type 2 diabetes are encouraged to measure their blood glucose: If they are on insulin If you are taking tablets such as sulphonylureas When they may be poorly controlled due to a change in medications or activities During an illness or are taking steroids When they are at risk of hypos whilst driving or after exercise When they have decided with their Healthcare Professional that self-testing is right for them

6 How do I test my m blood glucose?...when you test every day, youwantittobe as easy as possible. Tim, 18 Blood glucose testing is much easier than it used to be. In fact, with the right techniques and technology it s virtually pain-free. All you need is a blood testing meter system, with a finger-pricker. There are many different types of meter systems available and each offer their own range of features. While some basic meters are simple to use, others can provide more in-depth information to help you get better control. It s really up to you to decide which is right for you. And if you re one of those people who tests a lot, you may find your fingertips get a little sore from time to time. Don t worry, there is a way you can test using other parts of your body. It s called Alternative Site Testing (AST). Discuss AST with your Healthcare Professional and check your blood glucose meter handbook to see if it is right for you.

7 What do my results mean?...if I don t act on o my results, there isn t any point in testing at all.. Stuart, 46 Testing your blood glucose is only half the story, you also have to know what the results mean, and then act on them. Here s glucose reading Between 4 and 7mmol/L before a meal What it means glucose is okay Action None a guide to help you get to grips with your results. Below 4mmol/L at any time glucose is low Below 4mmol/L Take sugar, preferably 2-4 glucose tablets and then eat some carbohydrate (digestive biscuits, or bread). Wait 15 minutes and test again Always below 4mmol/L Consult your diabetes doctor or nurse Type 1 diabetes Above 9mmol/L two hours after a meal Type 2 diabetes Above 8.5mmol/L two hours after a meal glucose is high Always check targets with your healthcare professional Above 9mmol/L The occasional high reading is not a problem but if it is always above 9mmol/L you should consult your doctor or diabetes nurse Always above 11mmol/L Consult your diabetes doctor or nurse