Testing....testing......1-2-3

"I'm sorry, sir, but the insurance will not cover you to test that many times per day."

"I don't have any other patients testing that much, there must be some other issues going on.  I know your A1c is good, but you shouldn't have to test that often."

I've heard these lines and many others just like them, discouraging me from doing the only thing that gives me hard evidence as to how to manage my diet, insulin, and lifestyle: ........testing my blood sugar.  But as the Bible says, ask and you shall receive.  Consequently, every return phone call has resulted in insurance coverage, doctors heeding my request, and suppliers coming through.  Is it really that easy?  Yes.  It is that easy because even though my request may be unusual, it is completely reasonable and logical.  I am asking to have a better record of my blood sugar readings throughout the day.  Isn't that the key to managing diabetes?  Isn't that what decades of research and development have created with CGM's (continuous glucose monitor)?  Isn't that what helps us to recognize patterns and tendencies?  Yes, yes, yes.  And ultimately, it is what helps us to reduce complications and live longer.  Here are my 4 absolute testing times:

1. Before breakfast / Upon waking in the morining.
2. Before lunch.
3. Before supper.
4. Before bedtime. 


Testing in between these times can also be very helpful to determine post meal glucose, reaction to exercise or stress, and variable schedules.  I also recommend testing during the night if the bedtime glucose is out of range.  This will help to prevent dangerous hypoglycemia or long-term hyperglycemia.  Let's get less than seven, greater than low.