How to Choose the Right Glucose Meter for Diabetics

Millions of people around the world are diagnosed with diabetes. What's even alarming is that there are even more people who do not know they have diabetes. The importance of getting tested for diabetes is necessary as people can do steps to prevent complications of the disease. One important tool for testing blood sugar is the glucose meter, which will probably become a common household testing kit because of the increasing number of people diagnosed with diabetes.

A glucose meter is a testing device that can be used at home to measure sugar or glucose in the blood. Blood sugar, also called blood glucose, is a source of energy for cells of the body. Normally, glucose in the blood is regulated by the body. However, in people who have diabetes, their bodies are not able to use the blood glucose. In turn, blood glucose accumulates in the blood causing it to become elevated, a term called hyperglycemia.

To know whether a person's blood sugar is elevated, most healthcare providers use laboratory tests. In some, they may use glucose meters that have results comparable to a lab test.

Pharmaceutical companies have developed home-use glucose meters that can be used to monitor blood sugar. However, these glucose meters differ from one another in terms of how much blood sample is needed, easy usability, testing speed and costs, among others.

So how do you choose a glucose meter that's right for you?

In choosing a glucose meter, several factors have to be considered. Here are some tips to help you find the right glucose meter.

How easy is it to use the glucose meter. Easy usability of the glucose meter should be considered when choosing a meter. The instructions should be easily understood. Certain meters may have so many additional features. However, additional features may equate to a higher price. Also, some glucose meter features may be so complex that it takes time to get used to.

Consider buying a glucose meter that's able to store glucose readings, which can be easily accessed for future comparison.

The cost of the glucose meter. This is probably one of the most common factor being considered by diabetics in choosing a glucose meter. Many glucose meters differ in prices. However, a higher-priced meter does not mean it is more effective in detecting blood sugar than the low-cost one.

Make sure that when you buy a glucose meter, it has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has passed quality standards.

The cost of glucose test strips. While some glucose meters may have lower-prices, the test strips that are used may be high-priced. Choosing a high priced meter with lower-priced test strips may be more beneficial for the diabetic in the long run.

Some of the glucose meters may accept generic strips, which are far cheaper than the recommended manufacturer's test strips. However, make sure that the glucose meter does accept generic strips and it works well with it.

Health care provider's recommendation. The best source for information about what glucose meter is best for you and how to use it is your doctor or healthcare provider. Don't hesitate to talk with your doctor about glucose testing kit that is affordable yet accurate and user-friendly.

Other things that you may want to consider when choosing the right glucose meter for you are: the overall size of the meter; accuracy and testing speed; and screen display size.

The ability to measure one's blood sugar is essential, especially for people with diabetes. Even people who are not diagnosed with diabetes but with a family member who has it can test their own blood sugar. Early recognition of diabetes is important to prevent future complications.

This is just a general guide about choosing a glucose meter. This does not, however, replace the information your health care provider can give you.

Source:

Glucose Testing Devices (February 2010). Retrieved on February 11, 2010 from http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/InVitroDiagnostics/GlucoseTestingDevices/default.htm