Monitoring your glucose, also known as blood sugar, levels is a very important component of managing your diabetes. It provides useful information for you and your doctor. It helps your doctor assess the effectiveness of your treatment regimen, and it lets you know if you are doing a good job adhering to the treatment regimen. To help manage your blood glucose, you need a quality glucose monitor that's easy to use. With so many brands of monitors on the market and each with its on special features, selecting the right one can be rather confusing.
Step 1
Compare the glucose monitors by cost. The monitors vary in price. They range from $20 to upwards of $100. However, many manufacturers offer rebates for their monitors. You should also check with your insurance company to see if they will pay for your monitor. Many of them offer this as a covered benefit but require that you purchase a specific monitor. Also, when thinking about the cost, consider the price of the monitor's accessories. Each brand of monitor has its own accessories--like test strips and lancets--that must be used with it. You will need to purchase these supplies as frequently as monthly or every other month depending on the number of times you test daily. The strips are available in boxes of 25, 50 and 100. They cost approximately $25, $50 and $100, respectively. You will also need to purchase lancets which are used to prick your finger to get your blood sample. These are not very expensive, but the cost can add up over time.
Step 2
Compare the monitors by their ease of use. Some monitors are easier to use than others. The fewer steps involved to get your glucose results, the easier it is to use. Some monitors require two steps, whereas others require more. Some monitors have to be calibrated with the purchase of each new box of strips; if you fail to calibrate them, your glucose results may be inaccurate. "No code" monitors eliminate this step, making the monitor easier to use and more accurate. Other monitors have their strips integrated within them. This feature is convenient and also makes the monitor easier to use because you don't have to worry about carrying or handling the strips. You basically press a button and the strip comes out of the monitor ready for use.
Step 3
Compare the monitors by their convenience. Consider the size and portability of the monitor. The smaller it is, the more portable it is. Some monitors fit in the palm of your hand, while others are shaped like ink pens and can easily fit into a shirt pocket or pant pocket. You may also want to consider the speed with which the monitor produces a reading. The faster the reading, the more convenient it is for you, because it reduces your wait time and allows you to get back to other things.
Step 4
Compare the monitors by their special features. Glucose monitors have a variety of features some of which are the ability to record your past glucose results, the ability to download your results to your computer or doctor's computer, the ability to graph your results, larger numbers for those with vision problems and the lack of need for coding. Some monitors allow for alternate testing sites. The older monitors require that you test blood from the finger, which can be painful. Newer monitors provide for testing in less painful sites like your palms and forearm. Also, to get an accurate reading, the newer monitors require smaller samples of blood. This is a wonderful feature for poor bleeders.
Tips and Warnings
- If you need assistance choosing a monitor, seek the advice of your pharmacist.
References
- Pharmacy Times; Blood Glucose Testing: Less Pain, More to Gain
- Pharmacy Times; A Pharmacist's Guide to OTC Therapy: Monitors
