How many times a day do you test BG?

[CC'sMom]

A nurse at the endo office told me I was testing way too much. But since my daughters diagnosis she has been sick a lot. And if she’s not sick, we seem to be battling lows. I’m using about 12 to 15 test strips a day. Last night alone, we used 8 from 7:20 until 11:00 trying to get her within range before bed. (This was following their advise of treating a low and waiting 15 minutes and checking again, then treating again…etc…Maybe I should have given her more carbs to begin with, but after running high for a few weeks, I didn’t want to shoot the number up too far.) When we have a good day, I don’t test her as often.

I know I’m a worrier but I’m hoping someday when this isn’t so new I’ll have more confidence in her numbers and our decisions, but for now I just feel that I have to check. So I’m just curious how often everyone else tests both newly diagnosed and those who have dealt with this longer. Thanks!

[selketine]

William was dx'd at 26 months and is 5.5 yrs old now and we test about 12-15x a day on average and tested more when he was younger.

[Mama Belle]

Samantha was dx'd at 4 and she's 9 now. Last month we used about 500 test strips. We are testing a ton right now because we just started the pump. However, we still routinely use at least 300 per month. Personally, I would think that medical care personnel should not be discouraging a person from testing frequently.

[CarrieP]

Rachel is 3 and we use 10-15 strips per day....

[Riley'sMom]

hi-
my daughter is 2 1/2 and was dx'd 14 months ago. on a perfect day we test 8 times. breakfast, 2 hours after, lunch, 2 hours after, dinner, 2 hours after, and twice during the night. we'll test more if she is acting wierd, sick, having crazy numbers, change in routine, etc. yesterday was probably 10 times. we are starting the pump shortly and then we'll be testing a lot more for awhile. i don't think 12-15 is outrageous, especially if she's been sick, new dx, etc. good luck!
jessica

[staciebco]

We were dx'd in Jan and use about 300 strips a month. I test a min of 7x's a day and generally one to two more. I'm with Heidi, I don't think anyone one should be discouraged from testing as often as he or she feels is necessary.

[Carrie]

I consider our endo to be the best! :D When we were on MDI, we were instructed that we needed to test at least four times a day. When we went on the pump, we were told the same thing. But then that mom-thing kicks in (worrying...wondering...wanting to know if she's doing okay)! :p If our daughter has a BG reading of 300 or higher, I will correct her and re-check in an hour to make sure she's coming down. We usually test about 6-10 times a day. Just depends on the day we're having. :rolleyes:

At our last check-up, our endo said that within a couple of years we will see the pump site be able to do dual purpose...CGM and pumping insulin. One poke! I'm just not ready to attach one more thing to her yet (CGM). If they came out with something like that, sign me up!! What a major stress-buster that will be for us minds that gotta know!!!!!:D

[CC'sMom]

THANK YOU ALL!! Even though my daughter is older, I feel so much better! After speaking with the nurse yesterday, I felt like I was torturing my kid! She even said, “just where are you getting all that blood from this child?” I felt horrible!

We got our OmniPod and I asked for a prescription for the new test strips and it went in at 10 per day. I asked for an increase because I sometimes use more and I KNOW once we’re up and running on the pump, I’ll definitely use a lot. So she said she’d change the prescription but I have to provide them with a copy of her log book (which I don’t write every single test down, just the checks when she eats or if there is a problem) in case the insurance company questions the amount of the prescription. From what you all have said, it sounds like a fairly “normal” amount.

Again, thank you so very much! I’ve been pretty emotional about this (and all the diabetes stuff) and I can’t tell you all how much better you made me feel!!

[liasmommy2000]

We check at least nine times a day I would say. Often more, rarely less. Now that summer is here and lots of swimming and other exercise is going on, I would say some days it will easily be twelve or more. And she will start pumping this summer, so that will surely increase it too.

We now get 350 strips per month and we use them all.

[Mom2Madi]

Madi is 10...usually test her about 10x a day. Before B/L/D, two snacks, before gym and bed then once in the night would be normal days without highs/lows to keep an eye on.

[MrsBadshoe]

Connor 13.5 8 minimum usually closer to 10 more if BS is irratic he is pumping

Delaney 10 10 minimum usually closer to 12 or more if BS is irratic, she is pumping.

[Mama2H]

Before we got the CGMS we were testing AT LEAST 12 times a day and she is 10. She is just too unstable not to test that often. Now with the cgms we have been able to cut that number down to an average of 6 on non-softball days and 8 on softball days!!!! It has been so wonderful to be able to "see" where her numbers are going all of the time! I am nervous when we are in the 2 hour blind calibration and we tend to test at least 3 times in there to be certain she is not falling or rising.

Our endo also feels that we test too much but as far as I am concerned she doesn't know what it is "really" like! She is not type 1 nor does she have children with type 1. Now we have found a nurse at our endo's office that IS type 1 and she has been sooooooooooo compasionate and completly understands why we do the things we do and does not scold us for doing so.

[Rachel]

After speaking with the nurse yesterday, I felt like I was torturing my kid! She even said, “just where are you getting all that blood from this child?” I felt horrible!

This comment from the nurse was completely out of line. You are caring for your child with great care and concern ... your nurse should be supporting you, not making crazy comments about the amount of blood. 15 drops a day ... there is plenty more where that came from.

You are the one managing this 24/7 and if you think you need to test that much, then you do. We also were testing 12-15 times a day before we got on a CGM. When you need to correct for a high or low you need to know if the correction worked. A couple of those instances in any day and you are immediately past the 8-10 times a day so many recommend.

[MamaC]

Tom is 14. We use 4 strips daily, more when he is sick, high, or low.

Becky

[CC'sMom]

I thought the nurses comment was a little out of line too. She doesn't even know me or my daughter. We've never met her or seen her. This was all over the phone. I'm guessing she's the nurse that does the prescriptions.

Our Dr. & PA have said to test at least 6 times a day and more when needed. The PA also told me to do what I needed to do to make us feel comfortable. I don't know why I let that nurse throw me so much! I guess some days the whole diabetes thing knocks me a little bit off kilter. :eek: But its so nice to hear from you guys that I'm not doing anything way out there! :)

[hold48398]

A nurse at the endo office told me I was testing way too much. But since my daughters diagnosis she has been sick a lot. And if she’s not sick, we seem to be battling lows. I’m using about 12 to 15 test strips a day. Last night alone, we used 8 from 7:20 until 11:00 trying to get her within range before bed. (This was following their advise of treating a low and waiting 15 minutes and checking again, then treating again…etc…Maybe I should have given her more carbs to begin with, but after running high for a few weeks, I didn’t want to shoot the number up too far.) When we have a good day, I don’t test her as often.

I know I’m a worrier but I’m hoping someday when this isn’t so new I’ll have more confidence in her numbers and our decisions, but for now I just feel that I have to check. So I’m just curious how often everyone else tests both newly diagnosed and those who have dealt with this longer. Thanks!



Is there EVER such a thing as testing too much?? Not in my book! We too blow through 12-15 test strips a day, and it's always Mia who wants to do the testing, which I think is pretty awesome for a 5-year old! We do blow through a few in sequence also when she is low, especially at night, to make sure she is coming back up into range. And then there are the retakes because the sample was off, or there wasn't enough blood, or Mia simply doesn't "believe" the number because she doesn't "feel" high or low or whatever, so heck yeah, we go through TONS of strips! Thankfully, our endo is very PRO parent and PRO child and supportive of all of our efforts to keep Mia in range, and they encourage Mia to do her own testing...and I cant picture it any other way! I know that if we had a CGMS we would test WAY less as we could see the upward trend of a low etc. but we don't have a CGMS yet...and until then, we will continue to do the necessary testing to keep Mia safe, in range and comfortable!!

[jeep_bluetj]

Is there EVER such a thing as testing too much?? Not in my book!

Just to be contrarian, yes there is. I'm NOT saying this in response to a specific poster, just generically. (So Marisa, I'm not picking on you, just riffing on your post)

So when is too much too much? When it's unnecessary. Is 12 needed? Probabally. Is 15? Probabally. Is 4? Sometimes. It depends on the kid, the I regimen, and a whole batch of other factors. (Obligitory YDMV. thanks Badshoe)

For instance, if my entire focus of parenting was to check his BG and maintain it in a 'normal' range, I'd be a bit obsessive. Because that's NOT what a complete parent is. I need to ride a bike with him. Tell him to clean up his room. Get him to listen to his mom. (Because when mommy isn't happy - nobody's happy) Every now and then I/his mom needs to be his pancreas too. But if I let that be my defining parenting skill, it's getting scarily close to "munchausen by proxy." (I don't know any correct term for when the disease is real, but y'all get my point)

I test more than his mom. Some % of those tests are for ME to be comfortable, not for him. So the're not really necessary. My wife can tell by looking when he's low. So she tests less. 10-12 times daily is common for us without the CGMS working. When the cgms is working it's down to 3-4. (Yes, we're terrible, we use the tricorder for care decisions... but oh-my-gosh is it nice at night.)

[Boo]

We typically test anywhere from 6-10+ times each day. My son is almost 12 and pumping.

I don't think that the frequency with which you are testing is unreasonable. In defense of the doctor's offices though, I suspect they see an awful lot of burnout over the years. I believe they try to aim for a balance between keeping good control and keeping a relatively normal quality of life and keeping a schedule which is easy to maintain in the long run.

If your system is working for you and your child...stick with it!

[MrsBadshoe]

Tom is 14. We use 4 strips daily, more when he is sick, high, or low.

Becky


With a son as active as your son sounds with sports how the heck do you get away with 4 tests a day?

I guess your testing Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and bedtime???? what about prior to or after exercise.

[hold48398]

Just to be contrarian, yes there is. I'm NOT saying this in response to a specific poster, just generically. (So Marisa, I'm not picking on you, just riffing on your post)

So when is too much too much? When it's unnecessary. Is 12 needed? Probabally. Is 15? Probabally. Is 4? Sometimes. It depends on the kid, the I regimen, and a whole batch of other factors. (Obligitory YDMV. thanks Badshoe)



Well OF COURSE :). I think we understand eachother ;). YKWIM (you know what I mean!!).:rolleyes:

[gsmom]

Both of my childrens RXs are for 6-8 times per day. As someone else said, it varies on the day, the weather, their mood and anything & everything that can effect D.

I can't believe the nurse made that comment to you! Especially since your d has been ill! Sounds to me like you are being very thorough! As we all know our childrens needs (D or no D!) and we have to adapt, not explain to some nurse!

[Rachel]

When the cgms is working it's down to 3-4. (Yes, we're terrible, we use the tricorder for care decisions... but oh-my-gosh is it nice at night.)

Ok, so a few weeks ago when I was hovering around my son with a thermometer, a bg meter, a keytone meter, checking his infusions site, looking at his transmitter, and entering data into the pump, all I really wanted was to be beamed up to the Enterprise so I could pick up a tricorder. This just cracks me up that you call your CGM monitor that.

Point well taken about parenting first, pancreasing second ... but even testing 15 times is only 15 minutes taken away from all the other parenting fun and just part of the whole package of parenting with D.

[wendyc]

Our script is written for 10-12x's a day, on a good day we test 8x's, but generally it is an average of 10. This also gives us enough so she has strips at school and covers for emergency situations and sick days.

I guess one could test too much, I've heard of people who test every hour. But, the nurse should have taken into consideration that your child was sick. We have days where we have to do additional testing for one reason or another. It just happens. Everyday is different, she should be the first to recognize that.

[Ali]

Even as an adult (long standing type one) I test 10 to 15 times and even with the CGMS it is 8 to 12. I check on rising, pre bkfst, pre exercise, sometimes during x, post exercise, pre lunch, mid afternoon, pre dinner, post dinner, pre bed, and at least once at night. Someimes checking points overlap so I have fewer tests. Then like everyone else if I have to correct lows or highs it involves several more checks or if I do another stint of exercise or activity during the day, or have a bad site, or have a change in my basal needs which happens regularly. If I do not check and assume my numbers will be the same as the day before I usually run into major problems of being 75 to 200 points over goal or running too low for several hours. The mistakes just get grossly compounded over time. However I do know many people who are more predictable and can easily test the four to six times a day without a problem. For me four checks a day regularly would lead to A1c of above eight, 10 to 15 equals A1c in sevens and same number of checks with a pump is an A1c in the sixes. Ali

[theo'smummy]

I test theo about 4 times a day unless he is sick then i test every 2 hours.
his team of nurses think that is ok.








mum to theo aged 3 dx19.01.06 @22 months
pumping mm522 since april 07
mum to sol aged 5 non d

[NatGama]

I just started keeping my stepgrandson (2y/o dx @ 6mo not pumping) I check him about every 2 hr or so unless he is acting funny. His mom told me I was checking him to much and that I was causing his blood suger to go up and down do to, to much checking. They only check him 4x a day if that and most of the time he is really high or really low. I went through his monitor and some days they only check him 2x.:confused: That does not seem right to me but could I be cousing it becouse I am check every few hrs.
Thanks
Gama

[MrsBadshoe]

I just started keeping my stepgrandson (2y/o dx @ 6mo not pumping) I check him about every 2 hr or so unless he is acting funny. His mom told me I was checking him to much and that I was causing his blood suger to go up and down do to, to much checking. They only check him 4x a day if that and most of the time he is really high or really low. I went through his monitor and some days they only check him 2x.:confused: That does not seem right to me but could I be cousing it becouse I am check every few hrs.
Thanks
Gama

I'm sure there is a fine line between checking too much and just right but personally I think 2-4 times a day with a toddler is down right dangerous. Sounds like he doesn't get check prior to meals.....do they just inject insulin based on his carbs?

[NatGama]

They do not count carb. They treat him when they check him. His mom will check more offten then his dad. But I feel I am checking him when he should be check I have been in the med field for 15yrs and I know that your suger can go up and down do to activity and food so I check him before meals or 1/2 hr after meals and after or during play time. But they say I am checking to much. I don't know I know that when he is with me I can keep his suger at a good level but today it was off.

[Mama Belle]

I just started keeping my stepgrandson (2y/o dx @ 6mo not pumping) I check him about every 2 hr or so unless he is acting funny. His mom told me I was checking him to much and that I was causing his blood suger to go up and down do to, to much checking. They only check him 4x a day if that and most of the time he is really high or really low. I went through his monitor and some days they only check him 2x.:confused: That does not seem right to me but could I be cousing it becouse I am check every few hrs.
Thanks
Gama

WOW! Just ... WOW! Honestly I am shocked by this. I hate to call out anyone's method of treatment, but I would agree that testing a toddler only 2-4 times per day is dangerous. Also, did she really mean that you checking his BG is actually causing the swings in BG? That tells me that she doesn't really understand the dynamics of this disease. You are just catching the swings in BG because you are testing him more often You aren't causing the swings in BG. I am sorry you are dealing with this. It must be frustrating and scary knowing that he is being tested so infrequently and you can't really help them see that he needs to be tested more often.

[MrsBadshoe]

They do not count carb. They treat him when they check him. His mom will check more offten then his dad. But I feel I am checking him when he should be check I have been in the med field for 15yrs and I know that your suger can go up and down do to activity and food so I check him before meals or 1/2 hr after meals and after or during play time. But they say I am checking to much. I don't know I know that when he is with me I can keep his suger at a good level but today it was off.

First, I want to say I think you are a great grandma....

How in the world do they expect to not have complications later in life if they don't keep his numbers under control? What kind of Endo group doesn't teach carb counting to a diabetic? You are correct in your understand that numbers fluxuate all the time for just about anything.
I think you mentioned he was Dx at 6m and is about 22m...I can't believe he hasn't been hospitalized with doing the treatment you described.

He definately needs someone in his corner that understands the dangers and ramificaions of problems later on with BS that is left untreated for long periods of time.

[NatGama]

.

He definately needs someone in his corner that understands the dangers and ramificaions of problems later on with BS that is left untreated for long periods of time.

I want to say thanks for all of you who replied. It has been very helpful. Now I need to learn to count carb. And I will keep checking him every few hrs. Does anyone have any web sites that talks about the dangers and ramificaions of problems later. I was woundering about that.
Thanks

[Mama Belle]

I want to say thanks for all of you who replied. It has been very helpful. Now I need to learn to count carb. And I will keep checking him every few hrs. Does anyone have any web sites that talks about the dangers and ramificaions of problems later. I was woundering about that.
Thanks

You can visit this page on the JDRF site, it gives you the run down on what potential complications could arise from diabetes that is not treated effectively. It also gives information about testing blood sugar (they say at least 6 times a day) and insulin therapies. Here is the link:
http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=106095

Also, the Pink Panther book (also known as Understanding Diabetes) has valuable information about care regimens and goals for children of different ages, as well as, information about complications and how diabetes works. It was written by the great folks over at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. Here is a link to the online version. (http://www.uchsc.edu/misc/diabetes/ud11.html) You can also order a copy here (http://www.childrensdiabetesfdn.com/publications.html).

Let us know how things go. I applaud your efforts to provide your stepgrandson with the care he needs. You are a gem! Please ask us if you have any other questions.

[Mama Belle]

NatGama - Another thing I would recommend is testing his ketones, if you aren't already. If his insulin treatment is as haphazard as it sounds, chances are that he is constantly producing ketones, which can be very dangerous.

[mommyx4]

Right now we are testing about 10-12x a day.

[saxmaniac]

About 8x a day, sometimes a lot more. The usual pre-meal ones, one before bed, one at our bedtime are the standard "actionable" items that we'll try to adjust. Extra tests whenever there's exercise, deviation from routine, oddball/grouchy/tired behavior. That might push it to around 12-14 on some days.

Any low or high, of course, will cause a flurry of checks. The lows are corrected, the highs tend to get retests to make sure he doesn't have sugary fingers!

We've been also checking after meals, midpoints, and the 4-hour mark after a meal, more of as learning excerise than anything else. That's to say, if he's 250 one hour after a meal and has 1U of Novolog already in him, we're not going to correct it.

[Tommo]

Hi - we check 10 - 15 times a day too and sometimes more if he has a bad night. We have also been told to cut down - but whenever we try he goes way high or way low. We have been warned about damaging the nerves in his fingers/ his life-style (?) and told that there is just no need to check this often. I feel that right now is not the time to try and cut down - when Tom is bigger and can feel and tell us how he feels he will hopefully need to be tested less.

[NatGama]

Thanks for all the info. I am trying to talk his mom in to getting a ketone monitor. I was talking to her about it she had never heard of them before. So maybe if I keep giving her more info. she will see the importance of checking him.
Thanks Again

[wendyc]

Kudos to you for stepping up to the plate! You are doing all the RIGHT things in helping to keep your grandson healthy!

A valuable tool in helping to carb count is the book The CalorieKing Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter 2007 Edition. They also have a website www.calorieking.com (http://www.calorieking.com) Both are incredibly helpful as they list the carb counts of just about everything under the sun.
It will also help you to carb count by writing down how serving size and carb amount the child has eaten and how much insulin is given for the foods being eaten and bg's. You can make a simple chart in word, or even just by a notebook, rule out some columns. But the key is to keep track, it is very helpful to see how foods affect bg's.

You will find that the ketone meters are a godsend with small kids, especially those in diapers. If the mother balks at the cost, tell her to ask her endo for a sample (that's how we got ours).

I too do not like to call on care of other peoples children, as we all have a different approach and as we say here, ydmv (your diabetes may very), but to only check a child that young only 2x's a day is downright dangerous. It is astounding that he has not had an emergency situation yet. He is very lucky to have you in his corner, as you are not overchecking him, and your checking does not make his bg swing. Please, continue doing what you are doing and hopefully the mother will learn from you! Keep feeding her info, knowledge is power!
Best of luck.

[Lizzy731]

I test a minimum of 4 times a day but have been testing her before her BT snack lately to determine the kind of snack she needs to keep her from dropping during the night. She is on NPH and humalog but will be on the pump within a month. I will be testing more when she's on the pump to make sure her doses are correct but I would think when we get her settled, she will be tested about 8 times a day until I get the CGM.