BS testing

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all the info on BS testing.

I recently had a GTT test. I can have one of these (or FBS test) any

time I wish, I suppose. My GP has to make the hospital appointment

for these.

I did buy a glucometer which was easy to use and did store my

results. The problem is that the strips and lancets which came with

it did, of course, run out. Replacements are very expenive and only

come free (on prescription) once one is a diagnosed diabetic. I

could buy some but, again, they wouldn't last long and would not

provide that regular ongoing testing which I'd prefer. My GP is very

obliging but I suspect regulations don't allow him to prescribe the

strips and lancets until and unless a diagnosis has been made. I'm

going to take all the info with me when I ask him if he could

prescribe some for me. It's possible he might be allowed to

prescribe under the normal fixed price prescription system (under

which any medication etc. costs the same relatively low price to the

patient, whatever the " real " cost) even if not completely free

(diagnosed diabetics here have ALL medication prescribed free). If

he could do that, it would mean I could at least afford them as i

wouldn't have to pay the full cost. I don't think it will happen

though. The docs seem to think it's OK if I'm tested properly every

few months. I'm not really happy with that especially as I've been

told by both my specialists (gastro and pancreatologist)that

diabetes is likely to hit me quite suddenly!

Apart from that idea, I could be tested whenever I wanted by the

practice nurse or in a chemist's, but I assume those random tests

are less accurate than the hospital ones and anyway, they don't

provide the pattern over a period of time which seems to be

important to monitor.

Sorry, just rambling on! Thanks again for all the info.

With good wishes,

Fliss (UK)