Diabetic meters, also known as glucometers, glucosemeter or blood glucose meters, are a necessary tool in your diabetic equipment that you can't do without. Most diabetics rely on this transportable medical device to provide them correct readings of their glucose range every day. But, with so many available, it is easier to pick the wrong one than it is for the right one. So what should you look out for in glucometers?
Convenience and comfort
The tracking of your blood glucose range is a regular routine that may even require draw blood samples from the fingertips every couple of hours. Doctors frequently propose that although convenience shouldn't be near the top of your list of priorities when choosing good diabetic meters it should be given lots of consideration. The least blood the meter needs, the least discomfort you should expect. These days, you can get glucometers that do not need to pierce the skin to get blood samples. These could include using a light scan across the finger but it has been suggested these may not be as accurate though. Some of these diabetic items are non-invasive and only require tiny samples in comparison with their older counterparts.
Portability
The general rule when selecting diabetic meters is to look for one that isn't too small, or too big. Take into account that you want it small enough to take out with you, but with a large enough screen for you to read your blood glucose range easily.
Alternative sites for the fingertips
If you have to continually draw blood, your fingertips may very well become quite sore. Many glucometers today allow you to draw blood from less sensitive parts of the body such as the palm, thigh, upper arm and forearm. A few of these glucometers enable the patient to rotate the area that they use which is handy if you have to test every few hours.
Cost
Diabetic meters will not be a one-off purchase so cost is important. It is rarely the machine itself which affects your budget, but the disposable test strips which can vary in price considerably. Should you use Three or four a day, this tends to quickly mount up. Therefore, always figure out your real costs in terms of the test strips.
Insurance cover
Glucometers can be covered by insurance companies, but ensure they cover other tools that you need and not just the glucometer itself. You must also make sure that your glucometer brand is protected in the list that they cover, so do remember to check.
Functionality and extras
As with most devices available today, you will get diabetic meters with 'bells and whistles' on. These extras might include download options and built-in memory, and also other add-ons. Obviously, you will need to pay for these so consider whether you really need them prior to buying and then don't use them.
Convenience and comfort
The tracking of your blood glucose range is a regular routine that may even require draw blood samples from the fingertips every couple of hours. Doctors frequently propose that although convenience shouldn't be near the top of your list of priorities when choosing good diabetic meters it should be given lots of consideration. The least blood the meter needs, the least discomfort you should expect. These days, you can get glucometers that do not need to pierce the skin to get blood samples. These could include using a light scan across the finger but it has been suggested these may not be as accurate though. Some of these diabetic items are non-invasive and only require tiny samples in comparison with their older counterparts.
Portability
The general rule when selecting diabetic meters is to look for one that isn't too small, or too big. Take into account that you want it small enough to take out with you, but with a large enough screen for you to read your blood glucose range easily.
Alternative sites for the fingertips
If you have to continually draw blood, your fingertips may very well become quite sore. Many glucometers today allow you to draw blood from less sensitive parts of the body such as the palm, thigh, upper arm and forearm. A few of these glucometers enable the patient to rotate the area that they use which is handy if you have to test every few hours.
Cost
Diabetic meters will not be a one-off purchase so cost is important. It is rarely the machine itself which affects your budget, but the disposable test strips which can vary in price considerably. Should you use Three or four a day, this tends to quickly mount up. Therefore, always figure out your real costs in terms of the test strips.
Insurance cover
Glucometers can be covered by insurance companies, but ensure they cover other tools that you need and not just the glucometer itself. You must also make sure that your glucometer brand is protected in the list that they cover, so do remember to check.
Functionality and extras
As with most devices available today, you will get diabetic meters with 'bells and whistles' on. These extras might include download options and built-in memory, and also other add-ons. Obviously, you will need to pay for these so consider whether you really need them prior to buying and then don't use them.
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To get more on diabetic meters, cures, treatments and just general information about diabetes (particularly Type 2), visit www.diabeticcures.org.
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