How to Choose a Blood Glucose Monitor

When shopping for a monitor to test your blood-sugar levels, there are many factors you should consider. Purchasing a blood glucose monitor with too many extra features, one with a difficult-to-read screen or one that is difficult to use can affect your blood sugar level testing and results.

Ease of use.

You want a blood glucose monitor that is quick and easy to use. Qualities of an easy to use monitor include the ability to quickly take a small blood sample and that offer an easy to read display. Look for monitors that require a very small sample. The device should accept test strips without hassle and should feature easy off and on button features and a clear way of setting up scheduling and tracking of results.

Handling the monitor should be comfortable and you should be able to hold the device in one hand. A light up screen can be useful as well for taking samples late at night. Look for a monitor that has good battery life and makes replacing the batteries easy.

Pricing.

If you can get your insurance company to cover most or all of the cost of your blood glucose monitor the price may not be as much of an issue. However another price to consider is the ongoing price of purchasing test strips and lancets. Some insurance companies may cover lancets and test strips while others will not. Test strips can be pricy, costing upwards of a dollar a strip when you buy packages of 50 and 100. Depending on the device, the cost of test strips may vary widely.

Cleaning.

Some machines require scheduled cleaning and recalibration while others may require cleaning after each use. Check for devices that have a system to alert you when it is time to calibrate the monitor or clean the device.

Accuracy.

A compact blood glucose monitor may look good and fit into pockets but is it as accurate as another model? Compare models and the accuracy of the models to get the best blood sugar readings possible. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist to pick out the monitor with the best balance of accuracy and ease of use.

Features.

Do not go for the most feature packed blood glucose monitor on the market. Purchase one based on your needs. You do not need one that connects to a computer to upload and track results if you only plan on using it to get one time results during each use. Some may come with fancy carrying cases and custom designs, decide if look is important to you. Many bare basic devices can work just as well as fancier looking models.

Shop around and compare brands before settling on a monitor. After all you will be using the device at least once a day to test your blood sugar levels and determine your insulin needs for the day.