Choosing A Glucose Meter

A glucose meter is the most important tool for diabetics. It keeps track of daily blood glucose levels which becomes the basis for controlling diabetes. There are already many choices available for glucose meters and it is important that you choose one that is suited to your needs and of course within your budget.

Glucose meters are miniature computerized tools that read and display blood glucose level as a number in a screen, similar to a small calculator or a small mobile phone. Glucose meters have been tested to be accurate and precise with most errors introduced by the person using them. Errors are attributed to dirty meters, expired glucose test strips, strip or meter not at room temperature and small blood sample size. They are actually fairly simple to use and if these common errors are avoided, glucose meters regardless of brand or type will give the same accurate and precise readings.

There are many glucose meters to choose from. In choosing a glucose meter, it is important to consider the suggestion of your doctor or health care provider as they are the ones who will guide you in controlling your diabetes. Next is of course the cost or budget; be sure to buy one that is covered by insurance and if it is not consider if you can afford it. You also need to consider ease of use. Some meters will require fewer steps to use than others. Some meters are also specially designed for diabetics with certain needs, like talking glucose meters which are designed for the visually impaired users. You also need to look at maintenance side of the meter as well as availability of consumables and presence of after-sales support.

The increased usage of insulin pumps has also increased the popularity of continuous glucose monitors or CGM. Unlike conventional glucose meters, CGM measures blood glucose continuously. It is able to do this through a glucose sensor implanted under the skin that measures interstitial glucose level. There are insulin pumps that have CGM integration. Although interstitial glucose lags compared to blood glucose, the continuous reading provides a trend that diabetics will find more useful than single readings provided by conventional glucose meters.

A glucose meter, whatever the type is only a tool. Effective diabetes control is still dependent on its proper and consistent use as well as the control measures done based on the readings. Accurate, precise and timely readings are nothing without a corresponding treatment plan.