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    • 2 hours, 48 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      There are certain areas on my body where the insulin is more effective than others.
    • 2 hours, 48 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      Sometimes, which makes sense to me. It seems like it takes a while til the new insulin is absorbed.
    • 2 hours, 56 minutes ago
      atr likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      There are certain areas on my body where the insulin is more effective than others.
    • 2 hours, 58 minutes ago
      atr likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      Usually the opposite. Fresh insulin sometimes sends me low.
    • 3 hours, 10 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      Mostly pump because I want to quickly see insulin on board. Tandem on IPhone when holding my great-niece while she sleeps since getting my pump out of my pocket always wakes her ☺️. Dexcom app if not in need of insulin.
    • 3 hours, 10 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      usually the pump; sometimes my phone.
    • 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      My pump (Tandem X2). Since I have to carry a work phone close to 247, I don't want to deal with two phones (device overload!). As I go about my day, looking at my pump meets my needs, I can decide to bolus etc - and edit the bolus. For more in depth data review and analysis, I use the TConnect.
    • 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I read it from my pump.
    • 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      On my insulin pump
    • 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      My pump. Keep it simple.
    • 3 hours, 14 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      Do you realize what you have just said: "Obscurantism, gobbledegook, and pointillism used not as an art form but as a 'Gotcha!' of legal/financial determinism?"
    • 3 hours, 15 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      How much of this is intentionally misleading? My mail order prescription service says that can’t possibly know the cost of a medication until after it’s been shipped, which is too late to cancel or return, of course, and makes it impossible to comparison shop.
    • 3 hours, 16 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      I have an MA in writing and lit, but gobbledegook is gobbledegook. The fancy term is obscurantism.
    • 3 hours, 17 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      They change all the time. Generally not in a direction to improve my health, but to increase the money in their wallet.
    • 3 hours, 32 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      When you change your insulin pump site, do you tend to notice a spike in your blood glucose levels afterward?
      Usually the opposite. Fresh insulin sometimes sends me low.
    • 1 day ago
      Sarah Berry likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      My pump
    • 1 day, 1 hour ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      One nice thing about a watch for readings is that, while it is normally redundant, you can be separated from your phone. For example, when you are in water.
    • 1 day, 1 hour ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I use both as you can’t do everything you want in one or the other
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I selected “other” because my preference (smart watch, mobile phone, or pump screen) depends on circumstances. Watch for a quick and discrete view; pump if I’m preparing for a profile or activity adjustment or bolus, mobile phone if just a food bolus.
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      John Barbuto likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I use both as you can’t do everything you want in one or the other
    • 1 day, 3 hours ago
      Gerald Oefelein likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I use both as you can’t do everything you want in one or the other
    • 1 day, 3 hours ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I’m curious about the reasoning behind using a dedicated reader. Could someone please enlighten me?
    • 1 day, 3 hours ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I selected “other” because my preference (smart watch, mobile phone, or pump screen) depends on circumstances. Watch for a quick and discrete view; pump if I’m preparing for a profile or activity adjustment or bolus, mobile phone if just a food bolus.
    • 1 day, 3 hours ago
      mojoseje likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      For Minimed, the dedicated reader is the pump.
    • 1 day, 3 hours ago
      mojoseje likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I chose "dedicated reader". That reader is my pump, a Minimed 780G.
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    On average, how many test strips do you currently use in a day?

    Home > LC Polls > On average, how many test strips do you currently use in a day?
    Previous

    If you wear any T1D devices, how do you get rid of the adhesive residue left behind on your skin after removing your CGM or pump site? Share your tips in the comments!

    Next

    If you wear an insulin pump, how often do you carry a backup method of insulin delivery when you leave your home? (I.e. supplies for a pump site change, an insulin pen, syringes, etc.)

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    25 Comments

    1. Sasha Wooldridge

      3-4 with Medtronic CGM because of the stupid calibration cycle. Would use more if I could get the script for it since the CGM isn’t always all that accurate.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. connie ker

      39% are saying they are wearing a CGM, and I am one of them. I only test when I think the CGM is not accurate towards the end of the 14 day cycle. Often the sensor just wears out and is inaccurate before 14 days or blood appears on the sensor and it doesn’t read properly.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. gary rind

      my Libre 14 day can be inaccurate overnight and first thing in the morning. using more strips to double check lately than I ever thought I would.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Nevin Bowman

      Depends on the day. I wear a Dexcom but always verify morning and before bedtime. If I’m sick etc or BSs are unstable, I test more frequently.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Jennifer H

      Use a Dexcom 6. Rarely if ever have to do a finger stick as my readings are always in line with my symptoms.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. MARIE PEELER

      Don’t use any some days, but may go through a lot with a new sensor or an 8 day + sensor.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. kristina blake

      Since the Dexcom G6 us okay for dosing, I answered 1-2. I was a 15-20x a day person prior to being able to dose from my CGM. An expensive habit indeed – can’t use the meter covered by my health plan shown to read higher than actual for people who are anemic – meaning I was correcting high bg’s I was experiencing and ignoring lows or pending lows when I was alerted). If my symptoms don’t seem to match, I will do a fingerstick with the Contour Next (paid for out of pocket – but considered the most accurate).

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Kristine Warmecke

      I use 0 to 1 a day with my G6. Love it and so do my finger tips!

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. George Lovelace

      Dex 6, sometimes 1 in 10 days, sometimes 0

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. LizB

      I chose 5. I have a Medtronic pump/CGM and I’m forced to calibrate a minimum of 2x a day for most days, more on the first. Because the timing of 2x daily might mean I’d have to wake up early one morning if I don’t want to I generally calibrate 3x daily. On the first day I can test (but not calibrate every time) up to 12 times because of how bad the sensor can be in the beginning. Then there are the random times it demands a BG/calibration for no reason. I chose 5-6 because over the course of a month that’s probably close.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Sherolyn Newell

      Also a Dexcom G6 user, so unless I look at it and think it can’t be right, I don’t test. I will test on the first reading of a new one to make sure it’s on track sometimes. I bought a CVS meter for backup. The test strips are relatively cheap and seem to be accurate, based on the G6.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. HMW

      3 to 4. One per meal plus before bed. Usually before snacks too. I have the Medtronic 670G system so I don’t have to test more than every 12 hours or so, but even if I had a Dexcom cgm I would still test before boluses/meals or if I have high or low alarms.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Janis Senungetuk

      I chose 1 to 2 as an average, but using the Dex G6 I can go many days without needing to check. If I doubt a low alarm I’ll test with my Contour One meter. Most of the time the results confirm the CGM reading and I haven’t felt any symptoms. I have found that as the CGM transmitter nears replacement the reading aren’t as accurate and will verify with a test before taking a correction bolus.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Carol Meares

      0-2 is really the answer. I only test when I think Dex 6 might be significantly off. Many/most days it is 0. Day 1 of Dex can still be difficult but not always.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. ConnieT1D62

      Hardly ever – once in awhile I use a test strip with a Contour Next meter to verify BG during Dexcom G6 warm-up.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Ken Raiche

      Only if I’m high which hardly ever happens or extremely low. My Dexcom G6 has proven to be extremely reliable for me. 👍👍

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Becky Hertz

      “other” needs to be an option. Although I’m in Dexcom, I use steroids when I feel the reading is out of range, when the sensor is wonky (one can tell), during warm-up, whenever my DAD alerts. It can be 0 and up to 8 times a day.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Abigail Elias

      Because I use the Dexcom G6 CGM, I do not need to test daily (and Medicare will not cover ANY test strips). However, every 10 days when I change the sensor, I sometimes test 1-2 times with a strip during the sensor warm up period. And every few months I occasionally check if I think the CGM reading feels off. (I think my bg meter has been at odds with the CGM only once over all the years, though I no longer remember when or the reason, but I like the option of being able to check if I feel a check is warranted.)

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Sally Numrich

      Dexcom G6, so 0. Once in awhile I might test if I want to eat during warmup session, but otherwise I just let it do its thing and it tells the pump what to do. Love it! And I don’t think about my diabetes much. Just when I’m going to eat, exercise or change a pump site. It has been very freeing!

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Thomas Cline

      I also use a G6 (I was happy with the G5 but forced to switch when they discontinued it). I have found it useful to test at least once a day, and I use at least two strips to be sure the strip reading is accurate. Although the G6 is generally within 10% or so, sometimes it is a bit more off, and sometimes spot on. The big problem is that although the new applicator (which is a HUGE waste of plastic) works nicely and so far has been painless, I’ve found that it has been much more likely to cause bleeding, and that bleeding adversely affects readings (with several drop outs). Maybe this is just a fluke, but I never had such a bleeding problem with the G5 sensor applicator — it has caused me to stop using my arms as a convenient sensor site (which the instructions do not mention — they only mention the front belly).

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. KarenM6

      4 or more a day even though I am also on the G6. I don’t fully trust the G6 readings as they are frequently wildly different than my meter… and I do _everything_ that is recommended to get good readings.
      As an example, this morning, my G6 said my blood was 67. I tested with my meter and it said 214.
      I had this same sort of “bad” data at the beginning of the month.
      So, there’s no way I would trust the G6 to give me accurate data. I always test against it for meals and corrections, and lows, etc.
      These vast differences in data are also frustrating because I have hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia unawareness… so, “picking one” as accurate is basically like throwing dice to make diabetes decisions.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Ahh Life

      Zero with G6. However . . . . . . I still buy and purchase with my own money (in spite of excellent insurance!!!) bottles of test strips for down times, equipment failure, being away from home, etc. etc. for ☂☂☂

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Sahran Holiday

      Continue to test very frequently. G6 is fairly accurate but still wrong a lot. Almost never bolus without finger stick. Omnipod meter can also be very inaccurate. When the two differ by too much I test many times until the readings start to become consistent. Sometimes I have to calibrate the Dexcom.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Cheryl Seibert

      I’m using a Tandem TSlim X2 pump and Dexcom G6 CGM. Therefore, I only test with a meter if my symptoms do not match the Sensor or if my Sensor says I’m rising/falling more rapidly than is normal. I choose 1-2 but it is really more like 3 a week if my BGs are up and down. Some weeks I don’t test at all.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Bonatay

      Twice a week I calibrate my pump cgm. I use 8 strips a month unless something is going on and I feel the need to te st more often for pump verification.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply

    On average, how many test strips do you currently use in a day? Cancel reply

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