When you are diagnosed with diabetes, along with making sure you follow a special diet, you should also invest in a blood glucose meter. This is a small device that you can use at home to check the levels of glucose in your blood at any given time of the day. This meter, also called a glucometer, comes in various sizes and there are many different brands to choose from. So how do you know which one would be best for you?
The type of blood glucose meter you purchase depends on several factors. If you travel a lot, you do need to bring this meter along with you wherever you go. In this case a small meter would be best because you can fit it in your purse and then you always have it with you to use when needed. The size of the display screen is another factor that you need to consider. Check out several devices to see whether you can clearly see the reading that comes up in the screen. If you do have difficulty with being able to read it clearly, then you may have to sacrifice size for a device with a larger display area.
The amount of blood needed for a sample also varies among blood glucose meters. Some only need a small smear, where others may need a large drop of blood. When you prick the top of one of your fingers with the needle, how hard is it for a drop of blood to come out? Do you have to squeeze your finger as hard as you can to get the amount of blood you need? If so, then you should look for a blood glucose meter that doesn’t need a large sample in order to provide an accurate reading.
Many times your doctor will want a record of your blood glucose readings over a period of time. While you can use a notebook to take a record of the readings yourself, there are meters on the market with a built in memory. With this type of device, all you have to do is take along the blood glucose meter to your next appointment and the doctor can download all the readings.
The cost of the meter and the strips is another factor that often determines which model of blood glucose meter a person will purchase.