Voice of the Diabetic

Voice of the Diabetic

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ASK THE DOCTOR

by Wesley W. Wilson, MD

Artwork: medical caduceus.

NOTE: If you have any questions for “Ask the Doctor,” please send

them to the VOICE editorial office. The only questions Dr. Wilson will be

able to answer are the ones used in this column.

Wesley W. Wilson, MD has retired as an Internal Medicine

practitioner at the Western Montana Clinic in Missoula, Montana. Dr. Wilson

was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1956, during his second year of medical

school. He remains interested and involved in diabetes education for patients

and professionals.

Q: I run a diabetes support group, and two of the participants are a husband

and a wife (he has type 1 and she has type 2). Is there any reason the two

of them cannot test their blood with the same meter?

A: I appreciate your involvement with a support group for

persons living with diabetes, as there are lots of questions and uncertainties

for all of us with sugar problems. Your question seems simple, but is more

complicated because of some nondiabetic concerns. These days, there is great

concern about any blood contact between persons. It would seem entirely

possible to share a meter and not share a lancet device (after all, you

would not share a needle). Even more important to me, I feel that each person

with diabetes should "marry" their glucose meter and carry it

with them at all times, even if they are not taking insulin. It is important

to check blood sugars before driving a car, or if you feel “strange.”

Blood sugar should be tested before each meal, or if there is more than

usual exercise. Several of my former patients, who were not insulin-using,

often felt “weak” by the time they'd finished nine holes of golf.

After testing, discovering they were “low” by the eighth hole,

they took action, felt better, and lowered their strokes for the final holes.

I would be surprised if the husband and wife were always

at the same place prior to meals or prior to driving a car, so I think it

is important for each person to have their own device. Another reason for

each person to have a private meter is that meters now have memory function,

and some can “average” the test results. That would be difficult

to differentiate if the meter is used by two people. I don't think you should

be satisfied with a “family average.”

It is certainly possible for two persons to share a meter, but not share

anything that would allow direct blood contact between users, such as the

lancet used to obtain the blood samples. I do feel, however, since the main

expense of blood glucose testing is the strips, and the meter itself is

usually inexpensive or supplied at no charge, I feel a marriage is in order,

and it's not fair to share partners.

The meter should accompany the person to the health care

appointment, so that test results can be reviewed at that time. I'll admit

that it is discouraging to go in for an appointment, and have the care provider

not even look at the test results you've worked at so hard for so long.

That seems to be happening less frequently now, since most physicians are

aware good blood sugar control can reduce long term complications from diabetes.

If you can get a printout of your glucose tests, you should look it over

to see if there is a pattern of too low or too high results. A little detective

work can certainly help you gain better control.

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