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.
- [COMPLETE STARTER KIT] - CareSens N Diabetes Testing Kit includes 1 blood glucose meter, 100 blood sugar test trips, 1 lancing...
- [SMALL SAMPLE SIZE] - CareSens N Plus Bluetooth Blood Sugar Monitor requires only a small blood sample size of 0.5 μL, making...
- [FAST RESULTS] - CareSens N Blood Glucose Meter provides fast results in just 5 seconds, making blood sugar testing fast and...
- [EASY TO USE] – CareSens N Blood Glucose Monitor kit is very simple and easy-to-use, making blood sugar testing easy for all....
- [CUSTOMER SERVICE] - CareSens N Diabetes Testing Kit has a dedicated customer service team to provide you the best service to any...
- ✅ QUICK AND EASY TO USE: Care Touch blood sugar test kit delivers results in only 5 seconds with just a 0.5µL blood sample....
- ✅ EASY DIABETIC MONITORING: The blood sugar monitor kit with strips is capable of saving up to 300 readings. The blood glucose...
- ✅ PORTABLE AND HASSLE-FREE: The diabetic testing kit comes with a handy glucometer case, which means you can check your blood...
- ✅ COMPLETE DIABETIC SET: The glucose meter kit with strips and lancets includes: (1) Care Touch Blood Sugar Meter, (100) Blood...
- ✅ WE CARE BECAUSE YOU CARE: You care about your health, and we care about you. Care Touch is committed to providing the best...
- 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
- Slim, Pocket-Sized Design: OneTouch Verio Flex Blood Sugar Monitor fits your lifestyle with a slim and compact design, perfect for...
- Colorsure Technology: Discover a simple way to use colors in managing diabetes! Each time you test, the Colorsure technology on...
- Bluetooth-Enabled Guidance: Syncs data seamlessly with the free OneTouch Reveal mobile app for even more insights and guidance on...
- Fast, Accurate Results: Get reliable blood sugar test results in just 5 seconds using this diabetes testing kit. OneTouch Verio...
- Number One Pharmacist Recommended Brand: Our commitment to helping you manage your diabetes is proven in the quality of our...
- No coding means one less step
- Less Pain: WORLD'S SMALLEST sample size
- Fewer wasted test strips: ability to add more blood for up to an entire minute
- Better Accuracy: patented coulometric technology
- 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
- Speaks in 4 Languages: English, Spanish, French & Arabic
- Standard USB port to easily download test results
- Approved for Alternate Site Testing (AST)
- Stores 450 test results with date and time
- No Coding required
- 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...
- Highly accurate testing: test strips for use with the CONTOUR NEXT range of blood glucose meters(1,2)
- No coding technology: fast, highly accurate(1,2) results in seconds with one less step in testing and eliminates errors due to...
- Self testing: monitor blood glucose levels with an at-home test and tiny 0.6uL blood sample
- Second-chance sampling: allows you to apply more blood to the test strip being used, which may help prevent wasting test strips...
- Compatibility: can be used with any of the CONTOUR NEXT portfolio of blood glucose meters
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.
