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My Diabetes 2 Backwards Numbers---Anyone else?
I was diagnosed one year ago and as an educator I have researched and read everything I could find about diabetes. I have never been sickly or had a disease before this reared its ugly head. I have the Mayo book with explanation and information. My PCP doesn't do anything with diabetes so I made an appointment with an endocrinologist. My A1c was 6.0 and all testing profiles were normal except triglycerides. I do not take any diabetes medicines. I was not an exercise person, but I started exercising, using a treadmill. My situation is pretty good. I changed my diet to conform as much as possible. I don't eat fish, so chicken is my main meat. I eat beef once a week. Mostly I eat vegetables. Fruits seem to spike my blood numbers. I have experimented with some different food combinations; some have worked; some haven't.
My main problem is that my morning number before breakfast is often high (in 140's or 150's). and then after lunch, it will be in range or lower (100 to 120).
Last night before I went to bed my blood was 103. This morning it was 154. I don't understand why numbers would go up during the night. It always comes down during the day. This is backwards for what my Endo. told me. He said it should be under 120 in A.M. and below 180 three hours after lunch. I also have not lost weight even though I exercise daily. I think I am backwards, but I don't know why. I don't see Endo. for another month so don't know what all this up and down is doing to my profile numbers and don't know how to change it.
Thanks to anyone else who has had this situation and can help.
retiredteacher
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Hi @sue44 I believe the meters have a testing agent which should be used every so often for accuracy. The agent is placed on the strip. The results should be described in the reading for the meter. Perhaps there was an issue with a meter since there was a significant difference between the two meters. The testing agents should tell. Toni
There is no testing agent that comes with the strip. The instruction on the box said no code required, for the FreeStyle meter. This is how it came from the pharmacy. Any other suggestions?
sue
The controls for testing the machine should be with the machine not the strips. How do you test the machine to see if it is working properly?
Which Freestyle meter do you have? The control solution is not universal. Each meter has its own control solution. It comes with the machine to use on the strips. You insert the strip into the machine. If the results are within range of the directions( which come with the machine) then proceed using the machine to test blood glucose. The test solution or controls comes in a small bottle similar to a bottle with eye drops. Hope this helps. Toni
I have been using the Freestyle Light tester which has no testing required for it. Since my numbers in the morning are 110 or less, I am not concerned about them at this time and know that with more exercise and careful eating, I could achieve lower numbers. With the pandemic, I don't get groceries often, and if the high carb food is not in the house, I don't miss it. I don't consider myself a "sick patient" and I rely on improved lifestyle to feel much better. Dorisena
Hi @dorisena. You are doing a great job keeping your blood glucose low. The hemoglobin A1C test gives you and your physician the accurate reading for the past three months. I have never seen a meter not requiring to use a control solution to test the machine. Machines will likely break down eventually. I understand you are careful with maintaining low blood sugars but not everyone follows the same regimen. Look at the owner’s manual for the Freestyle Lite. The following page 11 of the manual outlines the information:
Important Control Solution Information
FreeStyle® Control Solution is good for three months after opening the bottle or until the expiration date printed on the label, whichever comes first.
Important: Count forward three months from the date you open a new bottle of control solution. This is your discard date. Write this date on the side of the control solution bottle.
Example: You open the control solution on January 15th. Count forward three months to April 15th. This is the discard date that you record on the bottle.
• UseonlyFreeStyleControlSolutionwithyourFreeStyleLiteSystem.
• Replacethecaponthecontrolsolutionbottleimmediatelyafter using.
• Donotusecontrolsolutionpasttheexpirationdate.
• Donotaddwateroranyliquidtocontrolsolution.
• Controlsolutiontestsarespecifiedtobeaccurateonlywhenused between 59° to 104° F (15° to 40° C).
• Controlsolutiontestresultsshouldfallwithintherangeprintedon the test strip vial label.
Important: The control solution range is a target range for control solution only. It is not a target range for your blood glucose level.
• Ifcontrolsolutionresultsareoutofthisrange,repeatthetest.
• Ifyourcontrolsolutiontestresultscontinuetofalloutsidetherange printed on the test strip vial, do not use the FreeStyle Lite System to test your blood glucose. Contact Customer Care.
Caution: Results from FreeStyle Control Solution tests do not reflect your blood glucose level.
Hope this is helpful. Toni
I will check out my meter and see what I need to do. I know I bought a new tester a couple of years ago. Thanks. Dorisena
You’re welcome @dorisena. The test is done using a control solution which is placed on the strip. The strip is then placed in the glucose meter. The results should be within the range indicated on the control solution bottle. If the results are out of the range the manual suggests to repeat the test. If again the result is out of the range then do not use the machine. The control solution is only good for 3 months once the bottle is opened. You may need to purchase another bottle of control solution for that model if opened more than 3 months.
I remember having a control solution for my first meter but not for my present one. That was my mistake so I will get the solution and check my meter. I also bought a second meter a few years back that was cheaper and got high test results, so I quit using it. I can correct that mistake, but really don't have much worry about high test results because the food in my house with the pandemic is low carb so I behave myself and do not over eat. I live rural and never left my home for 16 days this month, and my diet is pretty well controlled by the isolation. I quit baking Christmas cookies years ago because my grandchildren were not eating them. I have learned to refuse snacks from others without offending them so I am gaining confidence in eating well. Thank goodness the diabetes was discovered in the prediabetes stage so it has never been a big problem. My hearing has declined but that could happen from other causes over the years as well as diabetes. I am getting accustomed to my careful diet and look forward to the fresh veggies and fruit. Dorisena
Sounds like you are on the right path for controlling your diabetes. My 90 year old mother also had prediabetes and was diagnosed as a diabetic 4 or 5 years ago. She listened to my advice because she did not want her disease to advance to need accu checks. She controls her diabetes quite well through diet and exercise. Takes no oral medication. She also isolates due to covid. I purchase food for her or whatever items she needs. It all gets delivered to her front door. A positive development as a result of covid is online ordering and delivery. A big help for my mother. Take care of yourself. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding diabetes. Toni