Regular testing of blood glucose levels is essential for diabetic patients, as it allows them to determine how well their diabetes is being controlled by their medications and lifestyle changes. There are a variety of manufacturers that make different digital blood glucose meters, which are commonly used for this purpose.
Abbot
Abbot makes three different meters for the home testing of blood glucose, according to Diabetes Network. These meters are called the Freedom, Lite, and the Precision Xtra devices. All devices weigh roughly 1.5 ounces. The Precision Xtra device is notable for being able to test both blood glucose and ketone levels. It also requires 0.6 microliters of blood for testing, which is twice that of the other two meters. All three devices use a CR2032 lithium ion battery and can send information to a computer for easy record keeping, Diabetes Forecast explains.
Agamatrix
Bayer is a diabetes testing supplier, which makes three different blood glucose testing meters, called Breeze2, Contour and the ContourTS. The devices weigh slightly less than 4 ounces and require between 0.5 and 1 microliter for testing. The Breeze2 and Contour use a three-volt lithium coin battery, whereas the ContourTS uses as CR2032 battery. All three devices can connect to a computer for data uploading.
Diabetic Supply of Suncoast
Three different blood glucose meters, called the Advocate, Advocate Duo and Advocate Redicode are manufactured by Diabetic Supply of Suncoast. All three devices use less than 1 microliter of blood for testing and use AAA batteries. They range in weight from 2 to more than 5 oz. The Advocate Duo also monitors blood pressure. All three devices can interface with a computer and can also provide an audio readout of their measurements.
Diagnostic Devices
Diagnostic Devices makes the Prodigy Autocode, Prodigy Pocket and Prodigy Voice blood glucose testing meters. The Prodigy Pocket is the smallest of the three, but also has the most limited memory. It is also the only one of the three devices, which does not have an audio option and does not use AAA batteries; it uses a CR2032 lithium ion battery.
Arkray
The Glucocard 01, Glucocard 01 Mini and Glucocard X-Meter devices are all made by Arkray. All three devices use a three volt lithium ion battery and need 0.3 microliters of blood for a test. The Glucocard 01 Mini cannot connect to a computer to transmit past readings, though the other two devices can.
Roche
Roche Diagnostics makes the Accucheck series of diabetic supplies, which includes the Active, Aviva, Advantage and Compact Plus models. Of these, the Advantage requires 4 microliters of blood for testing, which is by far the largest sample. The Accucheck Compact Plus device is notable for having an optional built-in lancing device on the machine for easy use.
U.S. Diagnostics
U.S. Diagnostics makes the Easygluco, Acura, Maxima and Infinity devices. The Acura requires 0.5 microliters of blood for testing; all the others need 1 microliter. None of these devices can connect with a computer to transmit testing results.
