Choosing Blood Glucose Meter
There are many questions before you choose a meter:
- Do you have a suggestion from a doctor for a specific meter?
- What does your insurance cover have a list of preapproved meters it covers?
- How much will this meter cost as insurance companies dont always make allowances for pricier options?
- How many strips per month are needed?
- How easy and user friendly is this meter?
- Are the readings easily readable on the screen?
- How long does the meter take to get a reading?
- Is it easy to maintain?
- Is it simple to clean and maintain?
- Is it easy to calibrate when you get new strips?
Any special features needed for you?
- If you are carrying the glucose meter with you while on the go, you may want a compact option.
- If it is hard time to hold on to small models, prefer a large meter with strips which are easier to use.
- People with impaired vision should get a meter with an easy-to-read screen or verbal commands and prompts.
- Colourful options are available for children.
What Are Glucose Monitors And Meters
In simple terms, glucose monitors will help you to keep a check on your blood sugar levels. If you are a patient with diabetes, you should keep one in your pocket. This will help you to manage your blood-sugar balance pretty well. Generally, for blood tests, you need to visit a laboratory. But blood sugar monitors make this work much easier! So, this way you can manage your food intake without visiting the doctor’s place often.
But, the use of this portable machine varies from person to person. The amount of usage of glucose monitors and meters depends on the type of diabetes you are having. Consult your doctor to understand how often you need to use these machines. Frequent usage of these machines has its side effects. So, use within limits!
Libre Sense: A Biosensor For Sports
Theres been a lot of talk of creating CGM systems aimed at non-diabetics, especially athletes. More companies are moving in this direction and turning to the Libre technology developed by Abbott as a basis for their programs.
One of the most visible moves in that direction is with the Libre Sense from Abbott, launched worldwide in September 2020.
This so-called Glucose Sport Biosensor has the same form-factor of the early Libre sensors , its aimed at athletes and fitness-focused folk who may not necessarily have diabetes but want to monitor glucose levels in the context of their health and activity levels.
For ages 16 and older, its not a prescription product and can be purchased over-the-counter. The sensor lasts up to 14 days just like the other Libre sensors, and wearers automatically receive streaming glucose data via Bluetooth every minute and viewed on a compatible mobile app.
Abbotts Medical Affairs Director Jim McCarter explained the use of glucose sensors in sports to DiabetesMine: When someone is early in a workout and theyre exercising at high intensity theyll actually see a rise in glucose. Thats the body responding to the stress of the event. Later in exercise and especially in endurance exercise as glycogen stores are depleted, glucose will begin to lower. And thats especially important in long-distance endurance events.
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How We Chose Glucose Monitors And Meters
Above all, we included glucose monitors that are reportedly the most accurate. Since home meters are designed to help you monitor your glucose in between laboratory work from your doctors visits, its important that your device provides the most accurate results possible.
While no home test will be as accurate as a lab version, getting as close as possible to the quality of such tests can help provide peace of mind as well as better diabetes management.
Other items we looked at include:
We included glucose meters across a variety of features and price points. The cost of CGMs and blood glucose meters can vary widely based on their features, your insurance coverage, and location. Cost is also subject to change over time based on the type of insurance you have, so be sure to check with your carrier for the most accurate price.
Dario Blood Glucose Monitor Kit Test Your Blood Sugar Levels & Manage Diabetes Kit Includes: Glucose
- THE APP – You are able to monitor and track your progress and share it with your doctor using your smartphone.
- DARIO BLOOD GLUCOSE METER – Blood sugar monitor system starter kit for iPhone. Includes a glucometer, 25 test strips, 10 sterile lancets and 10 disposable covers. So you can start testing quickly.
- NO BATTERIES OR CODING NEEDED – Simply plug the tiny meter to your phone and download the Dario app.
- UNLIMITED TEST RESULTS – Available on your phone, reporting of past blood tests so you can track progress. Email your doctor trend reports – Emergency text with GPS – Less pain with only a tiny drop of blood.
- YOU GET – FDA Cleared Dario All-In-One Blood Glucose Meter & Lancing device + 25 Test Strips + 10 Lancets + Dario App.
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Best For Home: Auvon Ds
Courtesy of Amazon
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Does not include control solution
When youre testing from the comfort of your own home, its easier to get a little bit more high tech with your monitoring system. This glucometer from AUVON utilizes cutting-edge test trips that consistently surpass international accuracy standards. The strips are produced using an automatic carbon printing technique, which ensures that they remain both stable and precise.
The lancet device used to retrieve your blood sample is also said to be less painful than others, which may help you better stick to your testing regimen. The monitor itself fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, is easy to read, and stores continuous 7-, 14-, and 30-day average results.
This kit comes with the AUVON DS-W blood glucose monitor, one battery, 150 blood test strips, 25 lancets, one lancing device, a meter use guide, and a test strip user guide. It does not include a control solution.
Result Speed: N/A | Included in Kit: Monitor, 150 test strips, lancing device, lancets, batteries, carrying bag
Best Glucose Meter For Spoken Results
The Prodigy Voice is designed for blood glucose testing using fresh capillary whole blood samples, and is the only glucometer to receive an Access Award from the American Foundation for the Blind and an Access Plus Award from the National Federation of the Blind . As it reads results aloud, its considered the best glucose meter for people with no or low vision. Its also a good choice for people with dyslexia or who encounter discomfort when reading digital screens.
There are over 700 user reviews of the Prodigy Voice Glucose Meter on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. 88% of them are 4-star rated and above. As with every glucose monitor in this guide, while the majority of people praise the accuracy, a minority are critical of it.
When the audio function is activated, the Prodigy Voice will welcome you and state the day and time, then it will tell you to apply your blood sample to the test strip. After six seconds it will then read aloud your blood glucose milligrams per deciliter/millimoles per liter.
Theres a button you can press to repeat the last spoken result, just in case you missed what was said, and there are imprinted buttons with tactile markings, including directional arrows and letters, to enable blind users to easily find and use them. On the side youll find volume controls and a headphone port for private listening to spoken results.
- Read our Prodigy Voice review
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Choosing The Right Cgm For You
Here are some details that might help you determine which CGM is best for you:
If youre looking for long-standing reputation and the authority of market share, Dexcom fits that bill. The longest player in CGM technology, Dexcom generally boasts the most accurate readings, within 9 percent of lab-measured glucose readings. With its G6 model, Dexcom offers high and low alerts, customizable alarms, data sharing, and a water-resistant device. Its not cheap, though.
Medtronics Guardian Connect is the most similar to Dexcoms line, and the costs are on par. The Guardian Connect is reportedly close in accuracy , although many patients claim that Dexcom seems more accurate in real-world settings.
The Guardian Connect offers increased connectivity, with data automatically uploaded into the companys Carelink app. That means your doctors can get your numbers without you having to do a thing. The predictive alerts are an interesting feature as well.
If youre looking for a CGM that tries to predict your bodys future, and minimizes the amount of work you need to do in retrieving your data, the Guardian Connect might be for you. This one isnt cheap either, and the sensors only last 7 days compared to Dexcoms 7-day wear.
Abbotts FreeStyle Libre brings cost effectiveness and streamlined design to the forefront. Its relatively cheap and accurate .
Livongo Health In Touch Meter
Overview:
- Accuracy Still being tested
- Features colored boxes and touchscreen, easy to read windows, cloud-connected, 5 seconds result period, unlimited test strips offer, mobile app to keep track of your data, access to Livongos 24/7 diabetes coaching if you are a customer
- Visit their website to learn more.
Livongo Health offers their very own In Touch meter, unlimited testing strips, online support from diabetes health coaches, and a mobile app that tracks your test results all for one easy $75 monthly fee. Livongo Health has completely changed the Diabetes testing industry. The In Touch meter fits in the palm of your hand and has a large digital touchscreen, similar to a smartphone. There are no reusable batteries to mess with, theres a rechargeable lithium ion battery and cord included to charge it.
Further reading:
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Contour Next Ez Diabetes Testing Kit
The Contour NEXT EZ Diabetes is a complete starter kit that you need to check your glucose level.
It comes includes a Contour NEXT EZ Diabetes Monitor, 100 Contour NEXT Test Strips, 100 Active Forward Lancets , Microlet Lancing Device, Contour NEXT Control Solution, Manual, Log Book & Diabetic Carry Case.
Along with that, here are some of the pros and cons that you need to look for:
In a nutshell
Overall, this one is a pretty inexpensive glucose meter that you can use. It comes with many innovative features which makes it a perfect choice for the senior citizens. Also, it comes with cheap test strips, which is something you need to look for.
Why Dexcom Diabetes Cgm Technology Is So Hot
Weve come a long way in continuous glucose monitoring technology since it first hit the market over two decades ago, and San Diego-based Dexcom has been leading the way on innovation for most of that time.
Since the launch of its initial 3-day sensor in 2006, Dexcom has helped shape how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration views this tech and forged new paths in providing more options for people to keep tabs on their blood sugars with a quick glance at a receiver, mobile app, or smartwatch.
Dexcom is not the only CGM maker, and it wasnt the first Medtronic launched the first-ever CGM way back in 1999. But from its earliest model to the latest mobile connected device, Dexcom has cemented its spot as the most popular full-featured CGM available.
Everything changes quickly in the diabetes device universe, so its important to keep tabs on what the company is up to. Heres a deep dive into what Dexcom is offering in 2020 and beyond, along with a bit of its rich history.
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Four Leading Cgm Systems
Currently, there are four Food and Drug Administration -approved CGM systems on the market in the United States.
Two require no fingersticks at all for calibration, while the other two now only require two fingerstick calibrations per day versus past requirements for as many as eight daily. The price and where they are sold varies.
Can I Use A Glucometer If I Am Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy
This is precisely when this device becomes a must-have for you. For a healthy pregnancy, you must check your blood sugar levels several times a day and take note of the results every time. Most women with gestational diabetes should have the following blood glucose levels.95 mg/dL or less: before meals, at bedtime, and during the night 140 mg/dL or less: one hour after eating 120 mg/dL or less: two hours after eating.
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What The Experts Say
According to advice published by the American Diabetes Association, blood sugar testing is vital to check that your blood glucose levels stay in a healthy range. If glucose levels get too low, we can lose the ability to think and function normally. If they get too high and stay high, it can cause damage or complications to the body over the course of many years.
To ensure you choose the best glucose meter for your needs, the American Association of Diabetes Educators recommends considering whether the following features are helpful to you:
- A high contrast display if you have low vision, or a meter that speaks results
- Lancet function and needle removal if you have a dexterity condition
- Portability for taking readings multiple times a day
- Smartphone app connectivity
- A bolus calculator
- Approved for Alternate Site Testing
Susan Stauffer, BSN, RN, CDE, diabetes educator and nurse clinician at UCHealth Diabetes and Medical Nutrition Therapy in Fort Collins, Colorado, also highlights how insurance and the cost of test strips should factor in your decision: The most important factor for people who routinely check their blood sugar is insurance coverage. Whether you use the Walmart Prime, the Freestyle lite or the Contour Next One, it is insurance coverage that rules. Some strips cost $18 for 100 and some will cost $150 for 100.
How Can I Clean My Glucometer
These medical instruments must be cleaned regularly to remain accurate. Use a soft cloth dampened with soap and water to avoid damaging delicate parts. You should never use alcohol, ammonia-based cleaners, glass cleaners, or abrasives. Some models integrate an alert to tell you when it is time to clean the device.
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Top 10 Best Blood Glucose Meters: Comprehensive Review
Modified: Dec 16, 2021 by Bridget Montgomery · This post may contain affiliate links ·
At home testing method is very common now, but you need a durable medical equipment which can do the job. With countless blood glucose meters on the market, how do you know which one to choose for blood glucose monitoring and testing?
Do you choose the most expensive one it must work the best if it costs the most, right? Or are you a techie looking for a Bluetooth meter that syncs to your smartphone? Perhaps, youre concerned with the cost and youre looking for the most affordable meter. How does one look for the right monitor with the high standards you may have?
Contents
Weve taken the time to test the ten most popular blood glucose meters. Take a look to find the meter thats the best fit for you. The obvious winner and our favorite meter is Contour Next EZ.
Our Pick
After a careful review of the top glucose meters on the market, our #1 recommendation is the Contour Next EZ. It’s simply one of the best in terms of functionality and price. to read 700+ positive customer satisfaction reviews, including the common customer complaints that may be of concern to you.
How Many Times Per Day Should I Use My Glucometer
Your physician will tell you how often you need to check your blood sugar. Generally speaking, the number of tests carried out every day depends on the type of diabetes you have and your treatment plan.Type 1 diabetes: Your doctor may recommend testing anywhere from four to ten times a day. This will usually happen before meals and snacks, before and after physical activities, before going to bed, and sometimes during the night. Testing can increase when you change your daily routine, start a new medication, or are sick.Type 2 diabetes: The number of times you have to check your blood sugar levels depends on the type and amount of insulin you use. If you are getting multiple injections a day, you may have to test before meals and at bedtime. However, twice a daybefore breakfast and dinneris generally enough if you are using long-acting insulin. If you control your type 2 diabetes with medication or with diet and physical activity, you may not need to test your blood sugar levels every day.
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How Accurate Are The Best Glucose Meters
Youd be forgiven for thinking that all glucometers have FDA clearance because they are medical devices, but that isnt always so. The 2018 FDA draft guidance for personal use glucose meters will require:
- 95% within +/- 15% across the measuring range
- 99% within +/- 20% across the measuring range
Research conducted by The Diabetes Technology Society Blood Glucose System Surveillance Program found that accuracy varied widely between the major home blood glucose meters. At present, they are considered clinically accurate if the reading is within 20% of what a lab test would indicate. The quality of the glucometer and compatible testing strips can impact the overall accuracy of your blood sugar monitoring test.
How accurate your glucometer is depends on the quality of the device itself and the quality of compatible test strips. Wed also recommend checking the instructions for the meter to see what substances might interfere with blood sugar reading accuracy.
Finally, store the glucose meter and test strips according to the manufacturers instructions, as incorrect storage may also impact accuracy of readings. Test strip vials, for example, should be closed when stored. This is backed by research , published by the National Library of Medicine, that showed how test strip stability lasted longer for closed vials than open vials.