Diabetic meters, also known as glucometers, glucosemeter or blood glucose meters, are an important tool in your diabetic equipment that you can not do without. Most diabetics rely upon this transportable medical gadget to provide them exact readings of their glucose range every single day. But, with so many available, it is easier to opt for the wrong one than it is for the right one. So what should you look for in glucometers?
Convenience and comfort
The monitoring of your blood glucose range is a regular routine that could even require draw liquid blood samples from your fingertips every couple of hours. Doctors frequently propose that although convenience shouldn't be at the top of your list of priorities when selecting good diabetic meters it needs to be given lots of consideration. The smallest amount blood the meter needs, the least discomfort you should expect. Nowadays, you will find glucometers that don't really need to pierce your skin to draw blood samples. These may include using a light scan across the finger but it has been suggested these may not be as accurate though. Some of these diabetic tools are non-invasive and just require tiny samples when compared to their older counterparts.
Portability
The rule of thumb when selecting diabetic meters is to look for one which isn't too small, or too large. Keep in mind that you want it small enough to take out with you, but with a large enough screen to enable you to read your blood glucose range easily.
Alternative sites to the fingertips
If you have to constantly draw blood, then your fingertips will likely become quite sore. Many glucometers today enable you to draw blood from less sensitive parts of the body such as forearm, upper arm, thigh and palm. Some of these glucometers enable the patient to rotate the area that they use which is handy if you need to test every few hours.
Expense
Diabetic meters are not a one-off purchase so cost is important. It is rarely the machine itself which affects your budget, but the disposable test strips which often can vary in price greatly. If you use Three or four a day, this tends to quickly mount up. Therefore, always work out your real costs in terms of the test strips.
Insurance
Glucometers can be covered by insurance providers, but ensure they cover other tools that you need and not simply the glucometer itself. You should also make sure that your glucometer brand is included in the list which they cover, so do make sure you check.
Functionality and extras
As with most devices currently available, you will get diabetic meters with 'bells and whistles' on. These extras may include download options and built-in memory, as well as other add-ons. Obviously, you will need to pay for these so take into account whether you actually need them before you purchase and then don't use them.
Convenience and comfort
The monitoring of your blood glucose range is a regular routine that could even require draw liquid blood samples from your fingertips every couple of hours. Doctors frequently propose that although convenience shouldn't be at the top of your list of priorities when selecting good diabetic meters it needs to be given lots of consideration. The smallest amount blood the meter needs, the least discomfort you should expect. Nowadays, you will find glucometers that don't really need to pierce your skin to draw blood samples. These may include using a light scan across the finger but it has been suggested these may not be as accurate though. Some of these diabetic tools are non-invasive and just require tiny samples when compared to their older counterparts.
Portability
The rule of thumb when selecting diabetic meters is to look for one which isn't too small, or too large. Keep in mind that you want it small enough to take out with you, but with a large enough screen to enable you to read your blood glucose range easily.
Alternative sites to the fingertips
If you have to constantly draw blood, then your fingertips will likely become quite sore. Many glucometers today enable you to draw blood from less sensitive parts of the body such as forearm, upper arm, thigh and palm. Some of these glucometers enable the patient to rotate the area that they use which is handy if you need to test every few hours.
Expense
Diabetic meters are not a one-off purchase so cost is important. It is rarely the machine itself which affects your budget, but the disposable test strips which often can vary in price greatly. If you use Three or four a day, this tends to quickly mount up. Therefore, always work out your real costs in terms of the test strips.
Insurance
Glucometers can be covered by insurance providers, but ensure they cover other tools that you need and not simply the glucometer itself. You should also make sure that your glucometer brand is included in the list which they cover, so do make sure you check.
Functionality and extras
As with most devices currently available, you will get diabetic meters with 'bells and whistles' on. These extras may include download options and built-in memory, as well as other add-ons. Obviously, you will need to pay for these so take into account whether you actually need them before you purchase and then don't use them.
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For additional information on diabetic meters, cures, treatments and just general information about diabetes (particularly Type 2), visit www.diabeticcures.org.
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