How to Choose a Glucose Meter?

If you have diabetes, blood glucose testing is an integral part of your life. To avoid any complications, you have to make sure that your blood glucose (or blood sugar) remains at a healthy level. It is a necessary tool to manage your health routine consisting of a proper diet, exercise and medication. Diabetes is not something that can be taken lightly, because it can cause quite a few medical problems.

Much as you want to have the all the hospital amenities at your fingertips to manage diabetes, this is not really practical or possible. This is where "self-monitoring of blood glucose" (SMBG) comes into picture. The process of monitoring one's own blood glucose with a glucose meter is often referred to as self-monitoring of blood glucose or SMBG.

What is a Glucose Meter?

A glucose meter is a small battery-operated device that monitors your glucose by using a droplet of blood that has been placed on its test strip. The test strip, which is chemically treated, causes a reaction in the blood droplet which is then placed into the meter. Once the strip is placed, the meter monitors your blood glucose level and gives out a reading.

What are the types of Glucose meters?

Though there are many blood glucose meters available that can make testing your blood sugar fairly easy. Below are a few types:

• All-In-One: An All-In-One Blood Glucose Meter is often light-weight and small enough to carry in your pocket or briefcase. They have the lancet device (used to draw blood) attached directly to the meter. The lancet may be detachable. These models can contain preloaded test strips.
• Continuous glucose monitoring: Continuous blood glucose meters are meant to take constant readings throughout the day. They measure blood glucose every 10 seconds and provide an average blood glucose level every 5 minutes. To gather readings, a small glucose sensor is inserted under the skin of the abdomen. The information generated from the sensor is then sent to a small monitor, usually mounted on a belt. This type of meter generally is used only to try to find trends in the individual's glucose over a few days so a treatment plan can be determined.
• Combined wrist blood pressure and blood glucose meters: It is a 2-in-1 product that eliminates the need to purchase a Blood Sugar Meter and Blood Pressure Monitor separately. It is best for those whose blood sugar issues also are related to high blood pressure that needs to be monitored.
• Built-in food monitoring feature: Food monitoring blood glucose meters allows you to manage your blood glucose before and after each meal. This makes you aware of the effects of your food and portion choices. The results of each glucose test is flagged as being a before or after meal result. Over time, the results are averaged based on whether they were before or after the meal.
• Wrist-watch glucose meter: It tests your blood glucose through fluid drawn from under your skin with electrodes, rather than your blood itself.

What are the factors that need to be considered before purchase?

With so many choices out there, it is easier to pick the wrong glucometer that doesn't meet your requirement. So here are some factors you should consider before buying:

• Accuracy: Technology is so advanced these days that almost any blood glucose monitors on the market will provide fairly consistent, accurate results. But some factors like long term usage, climate and certain substances may affect the accuracy. So make sure that the result that the meter is providing is accurate.

• Cost: To be honest, glucometers are not a one-time purchase. You might have to buy one every few years. Also you should factor in the cost on the test strips as you would require 2-3 each day.

• Ease of Use: Ease of operation is important factor in selecting a blood glucose meter. Some meters can be very complicated to operate and so should be avoided. Also consider the cleaning, maintenance, coding aspects of the meter. Search for one that is easy for you to use and meets your needs.

• Size: Most meters are about 3 to 4 inches in length and width. Choose the one that is relatively small, lightweight and portable. Smaller the monitor, the more likely you may be able to carry it around with you and use it. However, smaller meters are easier to misplace and require more dexterity to use.

• Blood Sample: Different monitors require different amounts of blood. Further, some models will require you to make numerous pinpricks to get the needed blood sample. Blood sample size ranges from 0.3 (amount that would fit on the head of a pin) to 4.0 microliters. Choose the one that requires the least amount of blood.

• Memory: Most modern meters come with a built in memory. This memory helps you in storing your test results which helps you monitor your blood levels over time based on certain factors (e.g., exercise, foods, meals, stress, etc.). Some meters can store up to 400 test results. They can even let you download your meter results into your computer for further analysis.

• Battery: Almost all meters use batteries as a source of power. Most models come with standard electronic equipment batteries that are easily replaceable. Others may use more specialized batteries. Choose the one that require least battery replacements otherwise that will also add to your cost.

• Cost of Maintenance: It's eventually a machine nonetheless so it will require proper care to function correctly. Consider cleaning, endurance, maintaining, cost of repair, warrantee or guarantee that the manufacture is ready to give you.

Try doing a bit of desk research before you actually head to buy one. Having one meter for home use and another one for work can eliminate the problem of carrying the meter around or forgetting it. It is recommended that you take a test run of the monitor that you will eventually buy.