How to Choose a Glucose Meter

When you’re managing diabetes, you’ll need a blood glucose meter you can rely on. These devices provide blood sugar test results quickly and easily, making them a crucial element in any diabetes treatment program. Even if you use a continuous glucose monitoring system, you’ll need to do occasional finger prick tests to confirm low/high sensor readings or if you have symptoms that do not match the sensor readings. .

However, not all glucometers are created equal. While we can vouch for the quality of all the blood glucose meters sold here on US MED, some of these meters also boast features that make them particularly well-suited for certain types of people with diabetes. In this article, we’ll take some time to compare glucose meters and help you decide on the best glucose meter for you.

Frequently Asked Glucometer Questions

Before we get started, let’s take a moment to review the basics. Here are our answers to some common questions about blood glucose meters:

What Is A Glucometer?

A glucometer (or blood glucose meter) is a portable device used by people with diabetes to measure blood sugar levels. Regular glucometer use can allow you to gain a more thorough understanding of your blood glucose levels. You’ll learn what patterns they follow, how they react to factors like stress and exercise, and how medication affects them.

People dealing with all types of diabetes should use glucometers. They can help people with Type I and Type II diabetes, gestational diabetes, and latent autoimmune diabetes.

What Do Glucometers Measure?

While glucometers measure glucose levels in blood samples, you don’t need a large sample for testing. Your device should only require one small drop of blood per test.

How Do I Use A Glucometer?

After preparing your glucometer/accessories and washing your hands, turn on your device and insert a test strip. When the meter is ready, wipe the area you’ll be obtaining the sample from with an alcohol pad and allow the alcohol to dry. Then, pierce your finger and place the resulting blood drop on the test strip.

Once a few seconds have passed, your glucometer will give you your test results. Write down these results for your records. (For added convenience, some glucometers can store test results digitally.)

How Often Should I Use A Glucometer?

Your testing schedule could vary based on the type of diabetes you have – people with Type I diabetes often have to do more tests per day than people with Type II diabetes do. To make sure you’re testing often enough and at the best times of day, you’ll want to discuss your testing schedule with your healthcare provider.

How Do You Calibrate A Glucometer?

Though exact calibration methods will vary across different glucometer brands, glucose meter calibration involves using a control solution that is applied to test strips instead of blood. For more information, consult your glucometer’s instruction manual.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Glucometer

Before you decide what glucose meter is most suitable for you, there are a few key factors you’ll need to keep in mind. Keep reading to learn more about some essential questions to ask yourself while researching these devices:

Do You Prefer a Small Meter Or a Larger One?

Big and small blood glucose meters have their perks – smaller meters are more portable, while larger meters may be easier to keep track of. The size you pick is entirely up to you, but make sure it’s a size that meets your needs. A glucometer with a larger display may be best for someone that is visually impaired.

How Much Built-In Memory Do You Need For Storing Glucose Results?

A thorough memory for glucose results may not be the flashiest feature a blood glucose meter can offer. However, it’s crucial to keep track of your blood sugar history to make future treatment decisions. Using a meter capable of storing your results can make this much more manageable.

Do You Want a Meter That is Approved for Alternate Site Testing?

If you want to use your blood glucose meter to test sites other than your fingertip, you’ll need a meter that’s been given the OK for alternate site testing. This type of test should only occur when your blood sugar is stable – if you’re testing right after a meal or a workout, you’ll still need to use your fingertip regardless of what meter you own.

How Much Can Your Meter/Test Strips Cost?

At US MED, we make a point of offering top-quality diabetes supplies at affordable prices while making it easy for many customers to use their insurance. However, out-of-pocket costs still may apply. In that case, you’ll need to focus on finding a glucose meter and test strips that fit your needs – and your budget.

US MED’s Top Glucometers

Here are US MED’s recommendations for the best glucose meters available today! We’ll give you a quick overview of these glucose metering devices, a list of the features they include, and quick tips on using them.*

True Metrix Go

If portability is one of your top priorities in a glucometer, the True Metrix Go is an ideal choice. This pocket-sized meter weighs just 0.58 ounces, making it great for fitness junkies, world travelers, and anyone who loves to get out and about.

Fortunately, the True Metrix Go’s small size doesn’t affect its functionality. This glucometer features True Metrix’s signature triple sense technology, which detects, analyzes, and corrects variables in blood samples. It can also store up to 500 test results and provide 7, 14, and 30-day averages.

How It Works

The True Metrix Go makes testing blood glucose as easy as following two steps. First, put a compatible test strip in your meter. When that’s taken care of, just apply a blood sample to this strip.

Features

• No coding
• Store 500 results with time and date
• Get results in 4 seconds
• 7, 14, and 30-day averages
• Small sample size – 0.5 microliters
• Download capabilities
• Control detection

Prodigy Voice

For legally blind and visually impaired people with diabetes, accessibility is key. The Prodigy Voice is built to make blood glucose testing as easy as possible for everyone. It’s no coincidence that this is the only glucometer that’s won awards from the American Foundation for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind!

At the heart of the Prodigy Voice is its audio feedback – the glucometer’s setup and testing procedures are entirely audio-based. The device features large, tactile buttons for added ease of use.

How It Works

When using the Prodigy Voice to perform a blood glucose test, the first step is inserting a test strip. As soon as the device is ready for testing, you’ll hear it say, “Please apply blood to the test strip.” Once you apply a blood sample, the meter will start a six-second countdown before reading your results aloud.

Features

• Provides complete independence to legally blind and low-vision patients
• No coding required, lowering the danger of false results
• Stores 450 test results into memory
• Fully audible setup and testing: enables the user to set up the meter and perform blood glucose tests without sighted assistance
• Tactile buttons allow for simple navigation
• Standard USB port lets patients easily upload results
• Cost-effective – enables people with diabetes to test often

Embrace Glucose Meter

Want a glucometer that features highly accurate test results, all sorts of features – and a modern design? If you do, your best bet is the Embrace Glucose Meter. This meter is notable for its large, bold screen and its sleek appearance, making it perfect for anyone who appreciates cutting-edge gadgetry.

That said, this device doesn’t put form over function. Along with its design, the Embrace includes a talking feature and storage for up to 300 test results.

How It Works

Place a test strip in your meter when you’re ready to test your blood glucose levels. The device will let you know once it’s ready via visual and audio feedback. Use your lancing device to create a finger puncture, and place the test strip’s tip into the resulting blood drop. Leave it right there until the six-second countdown ends; you’ll get your test results when this is done.

Features

• Talking meter
• Provides test results quickly and accurately
• No coding required
• Large display
• Sleek, innovative design

Don’t Forget Glucometer Accessories!

While a high-quality blood glucose meter is an integral part of your diabetes treatment regimen, these devices can’t work in isolation. To successfully use your glucometer, you’ll also need:

Test Strips

Test strips are one of the primary elements of a traditional blood glucose testing system. These small strips can absorb blood and convert glucose to electricity. That electrical current is what your glucometer measures – higher glucose levels in blood samples translate to stronger electrical signals. (One more thing: test strips aren’t universal, so make sure you’re buying strips that are compatible with your device!)

Lancets

Lancets can help you collect blood samples as quickly and painlessly as possible. These plastic-covered needles, which patients use with a lancing device, can create tiny holes in the skin that are perfect for collecting small amounts of blood.

Control Solutions

The consequences of using a malfunctioning glucometer could be severe, so you should test your device regularly. That means you’ll need control solutions, which are chemical solutions containing glucose. To test your meter and strips, place a drop of apply a drop of compatible control solution on your clean finger and allow the test strip to absorb it. to a test strip – based on the range of your test results, you’ll know whether or not your meter and strips are is working as they it should.

US MED offers all of the products listed above. Just head to our “Diabetes Testing Supplies” page – you’ll find supplies from multiple brands in each of these categories!

US MED: Your Best Choice For Testing Supplies

It’s easy to find businesses selling almost anything online – diabetes supplies included. But just like glucometers, not all medical supply providers are created equal. That’s why you need to make sure you’re choosing a company you can trust when ordering these items.

For over 20 years, US MED has been one of the most reputable names in the world of diabetes supplies. But don’t just take our word for it – our company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, along with accreditations by the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare, the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

Are you ready to see for yourself what sets us apart from the competition? Get started today – you’ll enjoy benefits like free priority shipping, 90 days of supplies with each order, automatic reorder reminders, and our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee!

If you’re looking for more information on glucose testing, look no further! Check out US MED’s blog articles on checking blood sugar and how to do a fasting blood glucose test.

*Blood glucose meters have safety requirements, warnings, and instructions. Consult the manufacturer websites for details. Seek medical advice and attention when appropriate, including for any medical emergency.