What diabetics should look for in a glucometer

MANILA, Philippines -  One of the most important tools in battling diabetes is the glucometer (glucose meter), of which there are many different versions sold on the market today. Commonsense tells that the glucometer you must choose must be accurate and provide fairly consistent results. So, when it comes to choosing a glucometer, it must be accurate, reliable, easy to use, convenient, and virtually painless. So, which glucometer is best? Since most diabetics want their glucometer to be loaded with all the necessary options, here are some practical questions that need to be answered:  

• Does the meter require a test strip or a control solution that you need to use when checking for accuracy?

• Do you need the glucose meter to be small enough to fit inside a purse or briefcase? Bayer Contour Glucometers are about three to four inches in length and width, and are lightweight.

• Do you need a meter that allows you to do a AC1 check at home? While many glucose meters still don’t have that feature, Bayer Contour already does.    

• Would you prefer a glucose meter that uses test strips or do you find that cartridges are easier?. What blood sample size are you comfortable with? The smaller the amount of blood the meter requires, the better so you definitely want to know what size blood sample the meter requires to take an accurate reading. Bayer Contour Glucometer use as little as 0.3 microliters of blood (about the amount that would fit on the head of a pin).

• The price, too, is a big factor when choosing a meter. The test strips or cartridges definitely should be factored into the cost. You think you may be getting the cheapest meter available only to be dismayed that the strips are the most expensive sold in the market.

Regular blood sugar monitoring, coupled with proper exercise, a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, and frequent visits to your doctor or health care provider, can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and ward off the complications caused by diabetes. To learn more about glucometer accuracy, call the Bayer Contour hotline 399-7389, 727-1521/7271532.