Choosing the Correct Blood Glucose Meter

Article submitted by Troy Olhausen with Discount Diabetic.
For more information, he can be reached at 480-314-0181 or 1-800-714-0491.

Blood glucose meters are one of the most essential tools that every diabetic must have to keep their blood glucose level under control. In the past there were only a handful of meters to check blood glucose levels with. Now, with technology rapidly changing, there are well over 50. Many of these new meters have been designed to serve particular needs of different people with diabetes. Several manufacturers offer more than 5 different blood glucose meters. Each meter is designed with certain features to help differentiate one meter from the next, and attract people to use it.

Picking the right meter for you can increase both your willingness to monitor your blood glucose and your ability to understand your results. The more willing you are to test, the better you will control your diabetes. Before selecting a meter, think about what type of features are important to you: Do you have vision issues? Do you have dexterity issues? Are you interested in alternative site testing (testing on other parts of your body)? How many previous test results do you want your meter to store? Do you want to transfer information from your meter to your computer? Will you be testing mainly at home, or elsewhere?

These questions will help determine which meter is best for you. For example, there are meters available with larger screens for people with visual issues. There are meters available where handling strips are a thing of the past. The strips come in a disk or drum that you insert in the meter for ease of use. There are meters that self-calibrate. Some meters now require only 1 micro-liter or less of blood (about the size of the top of a metal push-in). Newer meters also provide you with your readings quicker, many in less than 10 seconds. It is important to get your meter from a company that carries more than five different meters so you can be sure they are serving your needs and not just giving you what they can get the cheapest.

Because of the rapidly changing marketplace for meters, there have been several recalls on meters recently. If you have Medicare, call us to find out if your meter has been recalled. If so, we can provide you with a new one at no cost to you with your supplies.