Choosing the Right Blood Glucose Monitor: A Comprehensive Guide

Blood glucose monitors are the best way for diabetics to keep track of their blood sugars at home. With good blood sugar monitoring, diabetics can improve their health and lessen the threat of complications.

Basic Features

• All glucose monitors today are lightweight, have a digital readout, and will give you a reading in less than a minute. Many are made to test blood taken from various sites, meaning that you can test from a fingertip or your arm. Blood glucose monitors require the use of test strips. Before buying a monitor, compare prices of the test strips it uses, as they constitute an ongoing expense.

Improvements

• Monitors used to require coding before using a new supply of test strips, but some monitors no longer do. Many monitors come with computer software, enabling you to download the monitor's information to your computer. Monitors are being produced now which are placed under the skin for continuous glucose monitoring.

Considerations

• Do you want a basic monitor, or one with more features? What size do you prefer? Is any of the cost covered by health insurance? Does your insurance require a certain brand? Would you like a monitor that glows in the dark? Whatever your budget or your needs, there is a monitor to suit you.