Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is not routinely recommended for the management of type 2 diabetes, with appropriate exceptions – click here for more information.
For safety reasons, it is necessary to check blood glucose levels when you feel unwell or in circumstances where abnormal blood glucose levels could be dangerous, for example driving. For people with type 1 diabetes, if blood glucose levels are running high or you are unwell, you will need a meter that can also check blood ketone levels.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring on prescription (CGMop)
(Previously known as Flash Monitoring)
CGMop (which has also been known as flash monitoring) is available on prescription in Grampian and you can discuss this with your diabetes care provider. CGMop is available to people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes who are on basal bolus insulin regimens (background or long acting insulin with mealtime or quick acting insulin).
If you are on a basal bolus insulin you will get most from CGMop if you
- can count carbohydrates
and
- adjust insulin as well as have a good understanding of how the monitor works.
To use the device you should:
- Register and complete the online ‘Freestyle Libre Academy’ programme (click here).
To continue to have on prescription, you will also need to:
- Attend clinic annually for ongoing review.
- Link your Librelink app with the diabetes clinic by following these instructions.
- Go to: Menu > Connected Apps > LibreView> Connect to a Practice > Enter Practice ID (09646522).
- Click Next and then Connect after viewing your doctor’s practice contact information (will come up as Woolmanhill or Grampian Diabetes Clinic)
Please discuss your eligibility for CGMop at your next hospital based diabetes clinic appointment. If you do NOT currently attend a hospital based diabetes clinic then please get in touch with you GP based diabetes team and discuss whether you would like to be referred to your local hospital based diabetes clinic.
To upgrade from NHS Grampian funded first release Freestyle Libre to Freestyle Libre 2 then please discuss this at your next clinic appointment or get in touch with the secretary of your usual hospital based diabetes clinician.
Downloading your Device Data
Type 2 Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (Fingerprick)
Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is not generally required in the management of Type 2 Diabetes but may be recommended in certain situations for example:
- the person is prescribed insulin, or
- there is evidence of hypoglycaemic episodes, or
- the person is on oral medication eg sulphonyurea like gliclazide or glimepiride that may increase their risk of hypoglycaemia while driving or operating machinery, or
- the person is pregnant, or is planning to become pregnant.
In addition short-term SMBG in adults with Type 2 Diabetes may be recommended:
- when starting treatment with oral or intravenous corticosteroids, or
- to confirm suspected hypoglycemia
- Occasionally if an adult with Type 2 Diabetes has acute inter-current illness and are at risk of worsening hyperglycemia.
Review treatment as necessary.
If adults with Type 2 Diabetes are self-monitoring their capillary blood glucose levels, a structured assessment should be carried out at least annually and treatment reviewed as necessary.
Recommended Meters in Type 2 Diabetes in Grampian
People living with Diabetes and the NHS Grampian Diabetes Managed Clinical Network evaluated many meters and recommend the following to be the formulary choice meters and strips for people with Type 2 Diabetes in Grampian.
Type 1 Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (Fingerprick)
This video provides a brief overview for people on checking their own blood glucose levels.
Everyone with Type 1 Diabetes should have blood glucose and ketone testing equipment on their repeat prescription.
Meters can be obtained directly from the companies and there are also a number of online videos about how to test their glucose so please see information in the links below. Please contact your meter companies’ customer service to order spares, accessories like cable and wireless adapters for downlaoding your device data and qaulity control solutions.
Contour Plus Blue Meter
Contour Plus test strips
Klinion Soft Fine Colour
0.31mm/30gauge
(compatible with supplied
lancing device)
Ascensia Diabetes Care
0345 600 6030
Accu-Chek Instant
Instant
FastClix
0.3mm/30gauge
Roche 0800 701 000
Tee 2+
Tee 2
Klinion Soft Fine Colour
0.31mm/30gauge
(compatible with supplied
lancing device)
Spirit Healthcare
0800 8815423
Manufacturer Telephone no: 0345 600 6030
Test glucose levels
Real-time Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring (rtCGM)
Real-time Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring (rtCGM) not available on prescription is also available in NHS Grampian for some people with type 1 diabetes. Its aim is to integrate monitoring with insulin pump and/or smart pen therapy.
Prior to consideration of rtCGMS the person with diabetes should have had the opportunity for :
- structured education for intensive insulin therapy,
- a specialist review of current diabetes management.
It is expected that the person will be under specialist review and referred by a diabetes consultant. If you have any of the above concerns about hypoglycaemia, we recommend you discuss this with your secondary care Diabetes team.
Some of the nationally agreed criteria for referral for adults are below
- Complete loss of hypoglycaemia awareness
- Frequent severe hypoglycaemia
- Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia with adverse consequences
- Inability to recognise or communicate symptoms of hypoglycaemia
- Pregnancy
- Severe psychological distress