Cheapest monitoring device?

[Mandyque]

Hi, I'm T2 and the nurse won't give me a monitoring device, so I'm looking at what's available but it's a bit overwhelming and I can't get my head around it all. What I need is a cheap, decent monitor which won't cost too much to keep up testing, so monitor plus strips or sensors or something. I was looking at the Libre but it's expensive, am I right in thinking it's about £50 a month to run, with 2 new sensors per month? That's way too much for me, so I need something which will be cheap to buy and maintain.

 

[lovinglife]

Hi @Mandyque

Yes it can be quite daunting choosing a tester, I will tag one of our forum members @Rachox who has some useful info on monitors and where to but them. I myself use the Tee2 tester and strips.

 

[Rachox]

Hi @Mandyque and thanks for the tag @lovinglife, here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)

 

[lovinglife]

Thanks @Rachox

 

[ianf0ster]

I also use the TEE2+ it's the only one I've ever had, so don't know how it compares to the Gluco Navii which I'm told is similar in price.

 

[Rachox]

And just to clarify the Freestyle Libre is ~£50 per sensor and each sensor lasts 14 days. It is expensive but well worth taking up their offer of the free trial. Something to consider after a while of using a meter.

 

[MrsA2]

I've been using the same Tee2 for just over 3 and a half years now. Only just replaced the battery, which I think is brilliant.
The main cost is in the strips but its worth using them a lot in the early days while you learn, then you can cut right down. after 3 or 4 months.
I use just 1 a day now, and even that isn't necessary I just do to be accountable to myself.

The libres are £50 a sensor. I just use one occasionally for the time when I'm not in total control of my food, holidays away or business trips for example, but again not necessary, just a choice.

 

[Mandyque]

Thank you everyone, this is really useful. £50 a fortnight is unaffordable for me, sadly, so I'll have a look at the other options

 

[Welshman1952]

I'm still using my SD Codefree - it's a few years old now but still reliable. I guess it's probably not as accurate as some of the more recent models but it's pretty reliable - and above all, it's cheap to run.