Here are the best available glucose meters to monitor your blood glucose levels and keep your diabetes under control.
If you are looking for a glucose meter based on accuracy, Contour Next is your best option. This device has shown 100 percent compliance in accuracy testing.
Other devices that have passed the accuracy-test include:
- Accu-Check Aviva Plus from Roche (99 percent compliance)
- ReliOn Confirm from ARKRAY (97 percent compliance)
- FreeStyle Lite from Abbott Diabetes Care (96 percent compliance)
- Accu-Check SmartView from Roche (92 percent compliance)
Home glucose meters must show accurate results since they are meant to monitor your glucose between your doctor’s visits.
If you are looking for blood-free readings, FreeStyle Libre is your best option. It is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that uses interstitial fluid to measure blood sugar levels and works by wearing a sensor on your upper arm. It utilizes a flash system, which means you can scan the sensor with the device to get your glucose reading, and you can repeat the process as often as you like. If you wish to explore CGMs, Dexcom G6 provides more accurate results and gives glucose monitoring readings similar to those by glucometers.
People looking for a more user-friendly option should consider the Care Touch blood glucose monitoring system as it’s easy to use and affordable. Some highlights of this glucose meter include:
- Readings available in less than five seconds
- Provides a 14-day reading average
- Stores up to 300 readings at a time
If you are looking for an affordable option, you may try the TrueMetrix meter. It has additional features such as four sets of reminders and can store 500 test results.
Moreover, the Prodigy glucose monitoring kit can help visually challenged people. It is small, inexpensive and portable and fits easily into a pocket or purse. Results are read aloud through a built-in speaker with adjustable volume levels.
Before zeroing down on your option, always consult your physician for an optimal device.
Why should you monitor with a blood glucose meter?
Monitoring with a blood glucose meter at home has the following advantages:
- Helps identify dangerously high or low levels of glucose
- Understands how diet and exercise can influence your glucose levels
- Determines if any adjustments are beneficial in your treatment
Additionally, better glucose control using home monitors leads to fewer disease complications.
How do you choose a glucose meter?
There are many types of meters available for purchase. However, you should choose a glucose meter depending on the following factors:
- Accuracy
- Amount of blood needed for each test
- Ease of use
- Pain associated with using the product
- Testing speed
- Overall size
- Ability to store test results in memory
- Likelihood of interferences
- Ability to transmit data to a computer
- Cost of the meter
- Cost of the test strips used
- Physician’s recommendation
- Technical support provided by the manufacturer
- Special features such as automatic timing, error codes, huge display screen or spoken instructions or results
What are the latest trends in blood glucose meters?
Some people may not prefer traditional blood glucose monitoring due to the fear of pricking their fingers. For them, some of the latest trends in blood glucose monitoring are as follows:
- Alternative site monitor: It allows blood to be taken from areas less likely to be painful such as the arm, palm or thigh.
- Continuous glucose monitoring: It uses a sensor placed under the skin to measure blood sugar levels and transmits each reading to a small recording device.