wow...76 years...bless you! :)
I test about 10-12 times per day. I use ReliOn meter and strips from Walmart so insurance is not a concern. I get 50 strips for $9. When my diabetes is more in control I will probably test a little less. I'm not at that point yet. Testing the way I do (how often) is allowing me to collect data for my doctor. It also gives me peace of mind when I know what my BG is.
I test 10 times a day AND use a CGM. more like 12 times a day before the CGM.
I want to maintain tight control and I don't ever want to need assistance. Knowing where things are prevents surprises - I like the situational awareness.
I test on waking, before meals (correction bolus + meal bolus), 1.5 - 2 hours after meals, before sleeping, in the middle of the night if the CGM alarms or shows something is going on (too high or too low).
My son checks on a stay at home feeling ok sitting around sugars within normal limits type of day only 4 times. COOL. Amazing when it happens b/c w/ reality & a busy life he's usually moreso 10 times a day. Add in days he may feel well still, but rechecking a high or low moreso 14. Thankfully not much experience with sick days yet. Soon after being diagnosed Jake said, "You know mom I wondered why they put those butterflies on the test strips. Kind of odd right, dont cha think? I was thinking maybe it's like a butterfly kiss, as reassuring as a butterfly kiss." As only a kid would explain. If he feels like he needs to know, curious to know, feeling off, preparing for exercise, exercising, after exercise,on & on in a typical life BAM/FS he has access to the info & I'm truely grateful he can compensate for things that use to be so naturally done when he had islet cells. He's glad it's not the old time meters like those shown in books:)
I test between 10 and 15x a day. With the teensy doses possible with a pump, I can nip things in the bud and stay within range. I also have a very narrow range that I find acceptable and lots of tests keeps me there. It is important to me because I was diagnosed with lousy kidneys at 15 years old. Don't know if they ever decided if it was since birth. Anyway, I wasn't diagnosed with type 1 for another 17 years later. The kidney doc recommende3d keeping a narropw range anad staying there. It seems to work, I've avoided dialysis for 45 years now.