Guide to Blood Glucose Meters (Blood Glucose Monitors)

Keeping an accurate idea of your blood glucose levels is an integral part of successful diabetes management. Blood glucose meters are one piece of diabetes-related technology that simplifies everyday diabetes treatment. Urine testing remains important (particularly to check for the presence of ketones ), but having an accurate blood sugar meter makes sense for staying on top of your disease.

Choosing the right meter will depend on the products available to you, the cost of test strips (or NHS prescription availability) and the most suitable device for your individual requirements. You should discuss your options with your healthcare team and GP before purchasing, and always make sure to compare prices. Some people prefer to have more than one blood glucose monitor - one for home and one for the office, or one for home and one for travelling.

Your healthcare team should be able to advise on how many times per day you need to check your blood sugar levels.

How easy are blood glucose meters to use?

This will depend on the design interface favoured by the manufacturer, but some blood glucose monitors are definitely easier to use than others. For instance, some meters require a smaller drop of blood to give a reading. Investigate the process before purchasing and speak to as many peers and experts as possible.

How accurate are blood glucose meters?

All meters on the market should have a high degree of accuracy. Because of the possible implications if they are inaccurate, most manufacturers make certain that their products give accurate readings. However, testing the meter regularly to ensure that it is still accurate is a good idea, as meters can become less accurate over time.

How do I test the accuracy of my blood glucose meter?

Many professionals recommend checking the accuracy of your blood glucose meter at least once every month. The best way to do this is to use the meter at the same time you visit the doctor for a test, and then compare the two results.

Why might a blood glucose meter become inaccurate?

Blood glucose meters may malfunction and become inaccurate should they be dirty, ageing or if they become too hot or damp. Furthermore, if the strips are outdated or the meter has a problem calibrating with the strips, the meter may malfunction. Meters should be cleaned regularly, and taken care of like any other electronic device.

Are blood glucose meters portable?

All blood glucose meters today are light to carry and are mostly run on batteries, meaning that portability is not usually an issue. When it comes to carrying your meter on board a flight, you should prepare by getting a letter from your GP in advance.

How long do tests take using blood glucose meters?

Most meters don't take more than a minute to provide accurate blood sugar level results. For most people and in the case of most meters, speed of testing will not really be an issue. Many of the later model blood glucose meters will provide results in as little as five seconds.

Are meters available for people who have problems with retinopathy or other eye disorders?

Several leading brands also make audible blood glucose monitors that give verbal instructions and verbal test results to their user. This range includes meters that can speak in other languages besides English.