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.