Blood Sugar Test Kits.

[Lite Beer]

I recently bought a cheap no name Blood Sugar meter and don't trust it.

What are the most accurate available in Thailand (Lazada)

Is it Accu Chek? And why do they have so many options?

Is one better than another?

[KhunLA]

If that concerned about your blood sugar, just go get real test, as inexpensive enough.

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

If that concerned about your blood sugar, just go get real test, as inexpensive enough.

As a diabetic we test daily at home at least once if not twice a day. A good meter is a  necessity. Accu Check is good and sold in most pharmacies. The straps can be a little pricey however.

[Lite Beer]

Following a medical for health insurance I was advised that my level was a little high but not a problem yet.

Try an get it down a little.

Want to keep a check on it and need a reliable monitor.

[Cake Monster]

My Father was Diabetic and we used Accu Check for years with no issues

You could also second opinion from a clinic occasionally, and as stated is cheap enough.

This will also act as some kind of Calibration to the Accu Check, not that it needs it, and will give you added piece of mind.

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, Lite Beer said:

Following a medical for health insurance I was advised that my level was a little high but not a problem yet.

Try an get it down a little.

Want to keep a check on it and need a reliable monitor.

In that case probably be cost effective and much more reliable to visit clinic/hospital every six months or so as most of us get to the margin area with age.  Strips are very expensive for the reliable makes and if not used often can easily become outdated.  Also less pain with less pricks.  

 

Will add the HbA1c test does not require fasting and provides an average over previous 3 months so doing that every 3 months would provide a close check of conditions.  It is what wife has been using for least several decades - and she is diabetic and medication is based on these tests.  She not a fan for self pin pricking and not much more so of someone else doing.

Edited January 15, 2022 by lopburi3

[NewGuy]

Do regular HbA1c tests (cheapest at a local clinic), record the results along with daily Acu-chek tests, along with what you eat. You will be able understand your carb intake and it’s effects and if you take Metformin, how much is right for you. Diabetes must be managed each day, forever. Good luck.

[Sheryl]

Accu-check, as others have mentioned, is a reliable brand but for OP's situation, 3-6 monthly HB1Acs are more economical and an excellent way to monitor.

[Lite Beer]

As I expected the local clinic don't do the test and told me to go to one of the expensive hospitals.

Over priced with extortionately priced medicine I probably don't need.

 

Think I'll stick with the Accu chek kits.

[ThailandRyan]

8 minutes ago, Lite Beer said:

As I expected the local clinic don't do the test and told me to go to one of the expensive hospitals.

Over priced with extortionately priced medicine I probably don't need.

 

Think I'll stick with the Accu chek kits.

That's the ticket. 25 strips will last you awhile if you test in frequently. You'll also need some inserts for the device to <deleted> your finger.  

 

I test twice a day as a diabetic, 2 hours after one of my meals and either right before bed or when I wake up for a baseline.

 

You should be between 70-90 as a mon diabetic.  

 

Edited January 17, 2022 by ThailandRyan

[lopburi3]

9 minutes ago, Lite Beer said:

As I expected the local clinic don't do the test and told me to go to one of the expensive hospitals.

Over priced with extortionately priced medicine I probably don't need.

 

Think I'll stick with the Accu chek kits.

Any hospital should be able to do and there is no medicine involved (if you do need you can buy anywhere) - yes a small hospital/doctor fee every 3 to 6 months and the procedure fee but total should not be that much most places and you can actually be under a doctors treatment if gets worse.

[NewGuy]

In Pattaya I get my HbA1c done at Lifecare clinic for 350 baht. When there I also get  FBS (fasting blood sugar) test for 50 baht. And I (now) get my strips from Lazada, much better price than at pharmacies, and always check the expiry date.

[Lite Beer]

Thanks.

Will phone a couple of hospitals and get a price.

[OneMoreFarang]

12 minutes ago, Lite Beer said:

Thanks.

Will phone a couple of hospitals and get a price.

Maybe you want to ask the how they test.

I have diabetes and when I visit the hospital then they take my blood with a syringe from my arm and make a couple of test. It takes about an hour and then I get the results.

If I only need a blood sugar test then they use one of those little meters which show instantly the result.

I am not sure if one or the other is better. But maybe you want to ask how they test if you want to compare them.

[OneMoreFarang]

I use Beurer products and I am happy with them.

https://www.lazada.co.th/shop/beurer

 

[Lite Beer]

Ram Hospital 600 Baht.

Probably cost affective at 3 month intervals.

[Sheryl]

15 hours ago, Lite Beer said:

As I expected the local clinic don't do the test and told me to go to one of the expensive hospitals.

Over priced with extortionately priced medicine I probably don't need.

 

Think I'll stick with the Accu chek kits.

Any lab can do the Hb1Ac and cost is typically just a few hundred baht. A LOT cheaper than doing regular home tests given the cost of the test strips.

Where in Thailand do you live?

 

BTW it is never required to buy medicine at a hospital, even if you need it, unless it is a narcotic or one of the few other things not sold in pharmacies.

[Lite Beer]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Any lab can do the Hb1Ac and cost is typically just a few hundred baht. A LOT cheaper than doing regular home tests given the cost of the test strips.

Where in Thailand do you live?

 

BTW it is never required to buy medicine at a hospital, even if you need it, unless it is a narcotic or one of the few other things not sold in pharmacies.

At Khon Kaen Ram now waiting for results.

I get what you say Sheryl but they do kind of push their pharmacy onto you.

Going to see their doctor. 400 Baht extra.

Probably a good idea first time to understand the result.

Thanks all.

I never even knew that this test existed.

[Sheryl]

https://www.facebook.com/tlc.khonkaen/

 

No need to go to a hospital next time.

 

No need to fast before this test, either, and the information it gives is in many ways better than what you get from a  fasting glucose test.

 

Peopel on medication for diabetes are another matter they need the daily info.

[Lite Beer]

34 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

https://www.facebook.com/tlc.khonkaen/

 

No need to go to a hospital next time.

 

No need to fast before this test, either, and the information it gives is in many ways better than what you get from a  fasting glucose test.

 

Peopel on medication for diabetes are another matter they need the daily info.

Thanks Sheryl.

Will try and find out where it is for next time.

My result from the Ram was 7.1 which I think is a little high.

I am 70.

The talk with the doctor was a bit of a waste of time as her English was very limited.

Edited January 18, 2022 by Lite Beer

[Sheryl]

Yes, that is high. Non-diabetic range is under 6.

 

For people with known diabetes the goal of treatment is to stay under 7.

 

I'd suggest dietary improvements (especially, avoid processed carbs), more exercise, weight loss if you need it then recheck in 3-4 months.

 

 

[Lite Beer]

22 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Yes, that is high. Non-diabetic range is under 6.

 

For people with known diabetes the goal of treatment is to stay under 7.

 

I'd suggest dietary improvements (especially, avoid processed carbs), more exercise, weight loss if you need it then recheck in 3-4 months.

 

 

Already changing white rice to rice berry.

(Does Rice Berry beer count)?

White bread to whole wheat in my bread maker.

Fries to carrot fries.

Cutting out cakes etc. Although the wife keeps buying them.

Cooking with Olive Oil.

Crisps and other snacks trying to cut out.

 

Thanks Sheryl. You are a star.

Edited January 18, 2022 by Lite Beer

[NewGuy]

stay away from fruit juices or sugar in any form.

[OneMoreFarang]

28 minutes ago, Lite Beer said:

Already changing white rice to rice berry.

(Does Rice Berry beer count)?

White bread to whole wheat in my bread maker.

Fries to carrot fries.

Cutting out cakes etc. Although the wife keeps buying them.

Cooking with Olive Oil.

Crisps and other snacks trying to cut out.

 

14 minutes ago, NewGuy said:

stay away from fruit juices or sugar in any form.

You can do all that and you will still die - like we all.

Personally I also have diabetes and normally I avoid sugar drinks like coke, etc.

But from time to time I still drink fruit juice or eat cake because I like it.

Maybe because of this I will die a little earlier. But I will have enjoyed my life without constant restrictions of what I shouldn't do.

[ignis]

Diabetic many years + now 71

Accu chek is what I used, had to replace it after about 20 + years, but have the same but newer model for past 6 or so years

 

When I 1st found out I was Diabetic was advised by a good teacher, test before a meal + test 1 hr after + at 2 hrs after....  in not to many months you will understand what food you eat spikes the BS level and can cut that out [or reduce] Everyone is not the same so there is not one diet that fits all..

 

Warning take care of drinking DIET drinks, they are very bad

 

As for going to see Dr 400 baht !!!!  think you need to change to a Government Hospital. it used to be 50 baht, over the years it has gone up now is 100 baht...  + if you need any medication it is far far cheaper than even a Thai Pharmacy

 

Good luck

 

 

 

 

[4MyEgo]

On 1/15/2022 at 2:17 PM, Lite Beer said:

Following a medical for health insurance I was advised that my level was a little high but not a problem yet.

Try an get it down a little.

Want to keep a check on it and need a reliable monitor.

I get blood tests for other things but also include a glucose test and found at the beginning I was at the prediabetic level, so changing diets saw it drop below prediabetic level and now in a normal healthy.

 

Diet is key, blood tests are also more accurate in my opinion, but always good to have a reliable device if you don't want to get bloods test every 6 months. I consider them as a check up, i.e. if I can change the oil in my car every 15,000 klicks, I can certainly do a blood test every 6 months.

 

Some may laugh, but those that understand that as you get older blood tests can show early signs of your condition, not all, but glucose, cholesterol etc so that you can fine tune yourself through diet, exercise and at least 7-8 hours sleep a night.

 

One life, got to take care of it, call me a hypochondriac if you like, once bitten, twice shy. 

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, Lite Beer said:

Already changing white rice to rice berry.

(Does Rice Berry beer count)?

White bread to whole wheat in my bread maker.

Fries to carrot fries.

Cutting out cakes etc. Although the wife keeps buying them.

Cooking with Olive Oil.

Crisps and other snacks trying to cut out.

 

Thanks Sheryl. You are a star.

Sounds good.

 

White bread (and rice, and noodles), cakes, crisps & snacks are definitely to be avoided or kept to a minimum.

 

Ordinary beer is pure carbs, I don't know anything about Rice Berry beer.

[Lite Beer]

55 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Sounds good.

 

White bread (and rice, and noodles), cakes, crisps & snacks are definitely to be avoided or kept to a minimum.

 

Ordinary beer is pure carbs, I don't know anything about Rice Berry beer.

Not your tipple Sheryl?

It was only a joke. Probably the same as other beer.

[Lite Beer]

Maybe off topic but every recipe in my bread maker contains sugar.

Is sugar really necessary in bread?

[lopburi3]

15 minutes ago, Lite Beer said:

Maybe off topic but every recipe in my bread maker contains sugar.

Is sugar really necessary in bread?

Can't remember for sure but believe the yeast requires sugar to activate?  I gave up cooking 60 years ago.