# Diabetes testing question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 28, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-testing-question/333095 "2005-11-28T19:50:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-testing-question/333095/21 "2005-11-29T17:37:45Z")
> [@cazzle](#): > > My book ranks rices as follows: > > This list is from an [Australian book](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569244138/104-0530814-4502369?v=glance&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance) and might refer exclusively to Australian brands so check labels if you can to see if they’re low GI or try to find a local book on the subject, or on diets specifically for diabetics. Maybe even an American book will give you a wider picture of variation between brands, etc. I know there’s a lot of disagreement out there amongst the various Low GI people out there - while Googling my facts this afternoon, I found a Diabetes site recommending Jasmine rice as “low GI” - but I trust my book because the author is a Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Sydney and President of the Nutrition Society of Australia, which all sounds pretty impressive to me… and as a bonus, it comes recommended by my doctor. Thanks, Cazzle. I probably can’t find most of those but basmati is available in any quantity here. The locals seem to prefer it. I saved that chart and will use it in the future, we’ll check the rice against the chart and see if it’s good for her or not. Thanks again. Testy ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-testing-question/333095/22 "2005-11-29T17:42:49Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > If a broad, general check on accuracy is needed and a control solution is not available, you can always check your own blood glucose (assuming you are healthy). Also, if grandma is going to the doctors and they are going to check a level, taking along your unit and comparing results is worth considering. I’ve done the bit with comparing her to me, and my wife, and one neighbor that I managed to talk into it. Amazing how much fuss people make about a single drop of blood. You’d think they were going to run out. 😛 I may drag the thing by the hospital and try to check it. The local pharmacies just gave me a blank look when I asked about calibration solution. Despite having signs in the window claiming “everything for sugar!” Thanks and regards Testy ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-testing-question/333095/23 "2005-11-29T20:50:49Z")
See if you can get Accu-Chek to tell you where you can get control solution, they sell their own brand. (It’s just a little squeeze bottle of stuff, only takes a drop.) [Accu-Chek/Roche Diagnostics](http://www.accu-chek.com/us/) Good luck with your calibration. Are you looking at milligrams (mg/dl) or milimoles (mmol/l)? Different readings, different numbers. TubaDiva Who types medical charts all damn day long and sees lots of the gruesome effects of uncontrolled diabetes. ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2005, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-testing-question/333095/24 "2005-11-30T07:18:26Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > See if you can get Accu-Chek to tell you where you can get control solution, they sell their own brand. (It’s just a little squeeze bottle of stuff, only takes a drop.) > > [Accu-Chek/Roche Diagnostics](http://www.accu-chek.com/us/) > > Good luck with your calibration. Are you looking at milligrams (mg/dl) or milimoles (mmol/l)? Different readings, different numbers. > > TubaDiva > Who types medical charts all damn day long and sees lots of the gruesome effects of uncontrolled diabetes. Tubadiva Thanks. I’m not sure which one we’re looking at but will dig out the paperwork and find out. In Saudi, the problem is very common. Mucho fancy toys and test equipment is sold but there are no spare parts or maintenance available. I’ll check that site and see if anyone is selling the calibration fluid here. Like I said, the last pharmacist I checked had no idea what I was talking about. I bumped into the effects of uncontrolled diabetes a couple of days ago when we went to the hospital. They were having a seminar for the docs on “The diabetic foot”, complete with hundreds of huge posters of feet and ankles that were swollen and raw looking and about to be amputated. Gaaak! Thanks again Testy [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-testing-question/333095.md?page=1)