Voice your opinion and answer our Integrated Diabetes Services monthly survey
Voice your opinion and answer our Integrated Diabetes Services monthly surveyIn last month’s edition of Diabetes Bites we asked about your approach to ketone testing.
A. Ketones? Never heard of ‘em
B. I’m aware of ketones, but never test for them
C. I check for ketones only when instructed to do so by my healthcare team
D. I check for ketones any time my glucose is very high
E. I check for ketones only with “unexplained” high readings
There were 164 responses. Clearly, the “Ketone Kops” need to get on some of you.
Just a quick point or two about ketone testing: Unless you know what to do with the results, there isn’t much point to it. The presence of ketones usually indicates that you have no insulin in your body, a severe infection, or too little nutrients to meet your basic metabolic needs.
Ketones can be measured in a urine sample, but it is much better to measure ketones in a blood sample (two fingerstick meters have ketone testing capability: Precision Xtra and NovaMax Plus).
Depending on what caused the ketones, proper response is essential for preventing life-threatening ketoacidosis. Talk with your physician or diabetes educator about what to do.
This month, let’s talk DATA.
Specifically, what you do with the gobs of data stored in your meter, pump, and/or CGM device. Most people with diabetes would rather scrape ice off their car windows than look at their own data, yet the information can be incredibly valuable and insightful. What is your approach to looking at your data?
A. I never look at my own data
B. I download, but only my healthcare provider looks at it.
C. I look at it once in a while but don’t do much with it.
D. I look at it regularly and use it to make adjustments.
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