Is diabetes a completely new world for you? Have you been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy? Not sure which blood glucose meter is the most appropriate? In this guide, we will try to answer all questions concerning glucometers to give you a complete picture of their use.
The blood glucose meter, or glucometer, is used to record the level of sugars present in the blood. It is a handy tool for managing your diabetes treatment plan and insulin therapies, as well as preventing complications.
In fact, through the correct use of the blood glucose meter, the patient can evaluate his blood glucose levels in person, adjusting nutritional therapy, exercise, and pharmacological treatment if necessary.
Here we had selected some of the latest and advanced glucose meters for you.
- Kit includes: The CONTOUR NEXT blood glucose meter, 20 CONTOUR NEXT test strips, user guide and quick reference guide, microlet...
- Proven accuracy: help manage your diabetes with personalized hi/lo target range and summary of your blood glucose test results(1)
- Fast test time: ready to test right out of the box to make daily testing easy with 5-second countdown; also provides 7, 14 and 30...
- Second-chance sampling: allows you to apply more blood to the test strip you are using within 30 seconds, which may help prevent...
- No coding technology: easy to read results in seconds with one less step in testing and eliminates errors due to user miscoding
- Advanced Glucometer Kit: metene TD-4116 diabetes testing kit is equipped with advanced technologies, brings more accurate and...
- Easy to Use: The blood glucose monitor is with code-free design, ready for testing once insert the strip correctly; the quick...
- 7 Seconds And 0.7µl Blood: This blood glucose meter kit just needs 0.7 microliter blood sample and 7 seconds to get you blood...
- More Clearly Glucose Trend: 4 modes to record your glucose value according to different time, shows your glucose trend more...
- User-friendly for The Aged: 4 reminder alarms could be set everyday to remind the aged to do a test in time, considerate; the...
- ✅【Advanced Glucometer Kit】- The Careliving Diabetes test kit is equipped with advanced technology to bring more accurate and...
- ✅【All in one, More Than a Monitor】- The Blood Sugar Test kit includes everything you need to take a blood sugar test. The...
- ✅【Easy to Use】- The blood glucose monitor is ready for testing once insert the strip correctly. Get your blood glucose...
- ✅【Almost Painless】- The 30G lancet has an ultra-thin triangular tip design, the outer diameter of the lancet is only...
- ✅【Easy to Track】- Our blood glucose test kit can store up to 350 test results, providing 14 and 30 day average blood glucose...
- TRUE METRIX Self Monitoring Blood Glucose Starter Kit complete with 100 TRUE METRIX Test Strips, 100 30g TRUEplus Single-Use...
- No Coding and as fast as 4 Seconds and Tiny 0.5 microliter sample size
- Store 500 results with time/date and 7-, 14-, and 30-day averaging
- 4 testing reminder alarms
- Download capabilities
- ColorSure technology instantly shows when your blood glucose results are in or out of range
- Compact, slim design so it's easy to take with you
- [INTUITVE SYMBOLS] - CareSens N Feliz Blood Glucose Monitor kit uses easy, intuitive symbols to indicate blood glucose range.
- [COMPLETE STARTER KIT] - CareSens N Feliz Diabetes Testing Kit includes 1 blood glucose meter, 100 blood sugar test trips, 1...
- [SMALL SAMPLE SIZE] - CareSens N Feliz Blood Sugar Monitor requires only a small blood sample size of 0.5 μL, making finger...
- [FAST RESULTS] - CareSens N Feliz Blood Glucose Meter provides fast results in just 5 seconds, making blood sugar testing fast and...
- [EASY TO USE] – CareSens N Feliz Blood Glucose Monitor kit is very simple and easy-to-use, making blood sugar testing easy for...
- No Coding Required
- Fast, 5-Second Meter
- Small and Discreet Meter
- World's Smallest Sample Size
- Packaging May Vary
- Complete Diabetes Testing Kit: Includes 1 OneTouch Verio Reflect Blood Sugar Meter, 30 One Touch Verio Test Strips, 30 Delica Plus...
- Accurate Results in 5 Seconds: Get easy-to-read blood sugar test results on your glucose monitor in just 5 seconds to help you to...
- Easy Testing: Just a tiny drop of blood is required on either side of our test strips for accurate results on your OneTouch blood...
- Save Time, No Coding Required: No need for coding with your blood glucose meter. Save time & use these blood sugar test strips...
- Number 1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand: Our commitment to helping you manage your diabetes is proven in the quality of our...
- Get fast, reliable blood sugar test results with the Guide blood glucose monitor; The Accu-Chek Guide platform is Accu-Chek's most...
- The Guide meter features strip port light and backlit LCD display for testing anytime; Eject used test strips from the meter with...
- Adding comments can help you detect and analyze blood glucose patterns; Automatically log results to your Android or iOS device...
- Includes Guide blood glucose meter (batteries included with preset time and date), soft-sided carrying case, and easy-to-use...
- Child-resistant battery door helps prevent a child from accessing the batteries; To open the door, insert a narrow object, such as...
Glucose Meter Buying Guide
The glucometer is an almost indispensable tool for people with diabetes, who must daily record the amount of sugar in the blood. This can increase or decrease based on physical exercise, treatments, stress that characterizes the life of the individual, and having a clear picture of his / her progress is fundamental for controlling (and in case modifying) the treatment subjected.
What Exactly Is a Blood Glucose Meter?
It is a small electronic device, extremely compact, capable of calculating the level of sugars present in the blood. A small drop, usually taken through a puncture on the finger, is enough to obtain the necessary data.
Currently, there are more than thirty types of glucometers among those that can be used independently. They vary according to the functions provided, for example, based on the ability or not to memorize the results of the blood control.
There are basic models and decidedly more advanced models to adapt to the needs of each individual. A study carried out in the United States in 2012 showed that about 13% of the American population is affected by type 2 diabetes, and 38% of the citizens have been classified as prediabetic.
What Are the Benefits of Using the Blood Glucose Meter?
It is impossible to set up a diabetic treatment if blood results are not available. Monitoring of the blood glucose level must be carried out every 24 hours, and the glucometer is the instrument for recording. But mainly, what are the advantages it guarantees to those who use it?
- Analyzes the correct course of therapy.
- It helps us understand how and how much diet, exercise, and stress affect blood glucose levels.
- Check the effect of diabetes medications on blood sugar levels.
- Allow you to identify blood sugar changes, helping doctors to modify therapy according to the needs of the case.
- It is able to confirm the diagnosis of hypoglycemia or acute hypoglycemia immediately.
- Motivate those with diabetes to lead healthier lives by encouraging them to change bad habits.
When Should I Replace the Blood Glucose Meter?
There is no precise date to replace it, but it is recommended to change it every year or two. If treated with respect, it lasts longer: remember to check the correct performance of the batteries from time to time, changing them when necessary, and clean it following the instructions that we will give you later.
If the meter records an unusually high or low blood sugar result, it is probably time to throw it away and buy a new one, especially if the problem persists.
Sometimes it happens that the values are busted. Still, if the situation is repeated even on the second attempt, it means that some internal component has broken and the entire appliance must be replaced.
Should I Change My Meter When I Record Inaccurate Data?
The answer is no. The malfunction of the meter is not always due to an internal electronic failure, so before throwing it away, check that everything else is in place:
- Test Strip Problems: They may be damaged or out of date. Always try to keep them in a sealed container away from sources of heat and humidity.
- Also, make sure that the strips are compatible with your meter model.
- Extreme temperatures: Both the meter and the test strips must be kept at room temperature.
- Traces of alcohol, dirt, or other substances in the skin: Wash your hands well and dry them carefully before taking the measurement.
- Monitor issues: Fully insert the test strip into the meter.
- Not enough blood has been applied to the test strip: Once you have applied a good amount of blood to the test strip, do not add more.
Try to puncture another part of the body: If the measurement does not convince you, you can try to detect it from another element, perhaps using a different finger, as some parts of the body do not always guarantee reliable results.
Amount of red blood cells in the blood: If you are dehydrated or suffer from anemia, you may get less precise results than those who measure in “normal” health conditions.
How Many Times a Day Should I Use the Blood Glucose Meter?
The frequency of use of the glucometer will be decided by the attending physician, who is undoubtedly well informed on your specific case. In general, based on the type of diabetes and the treatment plan, different measurement times are distinguished:
Type 1 Diabetes: For those with type 1 diabetes, the doctor will recommend using meter 4 to 10 times a day. According to his indications, you will have to record your blood sugar levels before meals, before or after exercise, perhaps during the night, if necessary. It is also likely that, if your health conditions worsen or improve, the frequency of use will change accordingly.
Type 2 diabetes: The doctor may recommend one or more checks per day, depending on the type and amount of insulin used; the tests are generally to be carried out before meals and before bedtime if you make at least two injections daily.
How Do You Use a Blood Glucose Meter?
The method of use is always shown in the instruction manual, but your doctor will still instruct you properly on how to move. These are our recommendations:
- Please wash your hands well and dry them carefully.
- Insert a test strip into the meter.
- Make a small puncture on the finger with the appropriate needle.
- Lightly massage your finger to release a drop of blood.
- Apply the blood to the test strip and then press down on the edges.
- Look and evaluate, after a few seconds, the value that appears on the screen after the measurement.
How Do I Clean the Blood Glucose Meter?
Some blood glucose meters need regular cleaning to be precise. We recommend using a simple cloth moistened with soap and water to avoid damage to sensitive parts, without ever using alcohol, ammonia cleaners, glass cleaners, or abrasive materials. Some glucometers are equipped with an alert function: they warn you with an acoustic sound when the time has come to clean them.
