Newly diagnosed - best monitor to buy?

[FionaE 2]

Just diagnosed as Type2 but I suspect I have been for some time!

id like to take control of this so, despite the nurse suggesting I didn’t need to, I’d like to buy my own monitor

Which would be the best? Are lances and strips interchangeable between types? Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Lainie71]

Hi not sure which monitor to suggest but I am sure you will have lots of advice on here. One thing I have learnt on here is to test test test

 

[Rachox]

Hi @FionaE 2 and welcome to the forum. Well done for wanting to get a meter even though your nurse has said not to bother, they all do!

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.

Spirit Healthcare have a meter with cheap strips, the Tee2 + found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/

with the strips found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/

Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:

Phone number 0800 8815423


With more expensive strips is their Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual




Home Health have recently bought out this one, but I haven’t heard any reviews yet, links to strips and the meter:

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


There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips respectively (these are printed on a business card supplied with the meter).


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free from Home Health which has the cheapest strips available if bought in quantities of 5 or 10 pots with the codes below. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go, just bear in mind it seems they are replacing it with the Navii, details above.

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


and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


Disclaimer, I haven’t used any of the discount codes I have quoted so I don’t know if they are still current.


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)

Edit to add lancets are generally interchangeable but strips aren’t.

 

[Pontylad]

I was given mine free from my doctor-4 sure smart. The app was too informative and not user friendly. I searched online and claimed a free one- Contour Next one......very easy and a brilliant app for IOS, changed my prescription to get the lancets and test strips.
Very accurate and uses a simple traffic light system when testing.
Ie green is within range and red is over.
Google it
Hope it helps.

 

[carty]

I use the Home Health Navii available on line I got mine when it was first brought out and got it free if you bought 5 boxes of strips I don't think that happens now but with the discount code they are one of the cheapest on the market .I don't need anything from a meter except to test my BGs first thing in the morning and just before a meal and 2 hours after to see how my meal has affected my levels and this meter is fine for me .Easy to use and read the results ,if you want something more sophisticated I am sure someone can advise
Carol

 

[FionaE 2]

Thanks all, really helpful!

 

[ontherun]

I got a cheap GlucoRX Q for just under £5 direct from GlucoRX You will get 10 x test stips & lancets with the meter. A box of test strips are £9 for 50. Remember, you don't pay VAT.