Blood sugar monitor

Most meters are reasonably cheap, and some are free. However, that is not important. What is important is the cost of replacement test strips because we only need one meter but we need loads of strips. Many of us use the Codefree because the strips are about the cheapest. There isn't much difference between meters as far as "being good" is concerned. They all have to conform to the same accuracy standards. (which is now plus or minus 15%)

Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

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

Pharmacies don't sell them.

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk and remember to declare your diabetes to avoid paying VAT
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

ct379 said:

Hi in a type 2 diabetic, diagnosed three months ago. Has been following the LCHF diet since then...loads if exercise and have lost 8 kgs for the last 10 weeks. Has had fallen off the wagon recently with diet and exercise as has been in a lot of stress.
Since diagnosis in march, I have just tested my blood sugar twice, I wanted to get my own blood sugar machine to keep everything in track. Any suggestion please of what sort of monitor should I get that is not expensive?

Sadly surgery won't prescribe any and was told not to check my blood sugar frequently.


Sent from my iPhone using DCUK Forum mobile app

Click to expand...

Hi, looking through the forums, people seem to agree on the SD Codefree Monitor. I asked the same question and was told about the Codefree. Hope that helps.

Although not as cheap as the CodeFree meter, this one is compatible with your smart phone and has its own app which logs your results and displays them in an easy to interpret manner.

http://www.advancedtherapeuticsuk.com/dario-smart-glucose-meter

I like this one because of its portability and compact size. As a guy who doesn't use a handbag (that often) the portability of my equipment is pretty important!

Hope this helps some,
Grant

GrantGam1337 said:

Although not as cheap as the CodeFree meter, this one is compatible with your smart phone and has its own app which logs your results and displays them in an easy to interpret manner.

http://www.advancedtherapeuticsuk.com/dario-smart-glucose-meter

I like this one because of its portability and compact size. As a guy who doesn't use a handbag (that often) the portability of my equipment is pretty important!

Hope this helps some,
Grant

Click to expand...

Looks fine but at £14-95 for 50 strips is a tad expensive for most people depending on how many they use. The Codefree strips are under £6 for 50.

ct379 said:

thank you very much, I have been looking around and it I have been told I could buy the monitor but I need a prescription to buy the additional strips.

Click to expand...

Why do you need a prescription? I buy my own and I don't have a prescription. Who has told you this?

Bluetit1802 said:

Looks fine but at £14-95 for 50 strips is a tad expensive for most people depending on how many they use. The Codefree strips are under £6 for 50.

Click to expand...

Yeah that's a fair difference in price. If I was paying for them regularly out my own pocket then I'd go for the cheaper of the two!

Bluetit1802 said:

Why do you need a prescription? I buy my own and I don't have a prescription. Who has told you this?

Click to expand...

Some pharmacies have a policy of only supporting strips on scrip. Boots used to do this, but you could order a min order batch which they would then hold for you. I remember they were charging about £45 per box of 50 Abbott strips, and this was some 10 years ago, I now check via Google to see who is selling online, but beware, some vendors offer cheap strips, but often they are re-branded or time expired or just fake. Also auction sites sometimes have ok strips but cheap - these are people offering packs they got free on scrip being resold for profit.

This is why I buy SD Codefree, since I can deal direct with the importer. I have now had 2 paks of dodgy Abbott strips so far on the last 12 months, one via Amazon, one from a GP pharmacy. Amazon refunded me, the pharmacy refused to do so, so I reported them to Trading Standards. I don't go there now. I now get mine on scrip and they are delivered to my door. Cushty.