Equipment for testing blood sugar levels. Diabetes. What is your experience with

1. 79

   Sally's Troveposted 13 years ago

   Equipment for testing blood sugar levels. Diabetes. What is your experience with using the...
   
   products on the market that are available to monitor blood sugar levels? Are these devices easy to use, complicated? Do they come with instructions that are easy to understand? How are they delivered? By mail, in the doctor's office?

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2. 72

   dahoglundposted 13 years ago

   I use the Bayer Contour meter which I find relatively easy to use. A test strip is loaded into the meter.  A spring loaded device is used to prick the finger for a drop of blodd. I have a lancet that is for takeing a blood sample from the forarm. these are highly advertised but I have not, so far, had a lot of luck with them.
   
   Because I am on medicare I get my supplies from a mail order supply house. This seems to be the preferred method for mdicare. Otherwise any pharmacy carries these supplies. the pharmacist is a good souce of information, alos.

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3. 59

   iskra1916posted 13 years ago

   
   
   Yes, they (glucometers)are extremely simple to use and they always come with instructions.
   
   There are various makes and models but they all invariably consist of the following simple processes:
   
   1. pricking your finger with a small needle-stick;
   
   2.placing a drop of blood onto a testing strip;
   
   3. Then placing the testing strip into a glucometer - which will give you a blood/glucose level reading;
   
   Depending on what country/state you live in they can be picked up from your Doctor or local Diabetes nurse or bought over the counter at pharmacies.
   You will have to talk to your primary Diabetes healthcare professional about what your parameters re, blood/glucose levels should be.
   
   Good luck!

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4. 59

   humagaiaposted 13 years ago

   Everything said in the other two answers is correct. In the UK we are prescribed medical equipment and medication free of charge if we have a medical condition.
   If you have not been diagnosed with diabetes it is still a good idea to purchase any glucometer and to undertake regular personal and family tests just in case your body moves into (or beyond) pre-diabetes.
   In addition to one of these test machines it is also sensible to undertake cholesterol testing.

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5. 59

   whitesuferposted 13 years ago

   A glucose meter (or glucometer) is a medical device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood. It is a key element of home blood glucose monitoring (HBGM) by people with diabetes mellitus or hypoglycemia. A small drop of blood, obtained by pricking the skin with a lancet, is placed on a disposable test strip that the meter reads and uses to calculate the blood glucose level. The meter then displays the level in mg/dl or mmol/l.
   
   Since approximately 1980, a primary goal of the management of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been achieving closer-to-normal levels of glucose in the blood for as much of the time as possible, guided by HBGM several times a day. The benefits include a reduction in the occurrence rate and severity of long-term complications from hyperglycemia as well as a reduction in the short-term, potentially life-threatening complications of hypoglycemia.

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6. 60

   AndyBeveridgeposted 13 years ago

   Depends where you live on how you obtain one. I got my first monitor when I lived in the Uk and it was free.
   They all seem to do pretty much the same job. They do vary a quite a bit on the readings, but still very important to keep testing.

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7. 61

   JadaFernandesposted 9 years ago

   Checking blood glucose level for diabetic person is quite essential to effectively manage daily routine and staying healthy. Every day the level of glucose dramatically changes in a body depending on types and quantity of food intake, time of the day, hormone levels and exercise. Improper levels can cause severe damage to the eyes, nerves, kidneys, feet, heart and blood vessels. Hence it’s essential to monitor the glucose level frequently on daily basis. Today with the advent of new technology blood glucose monitoring become quite easy with the help of home care medical device such as blood sugar monitor, diabetic glucometers etc. provided by suppliers like http://www.ilexmedical.com/brands.php?act=cat and many others. It reduces the need of annoying painful and repetitive finger-pricks techniques to know the blood glucose level. Remember, everyone is different, so don’t forget to seek doctor’s opinion about when and how often you should check your blood sugar level.

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