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Buying a tester

Lynmi

Lynmi

Well-Known Member
Messages
139
Location
Kent
Type of diabetes
Type 1.5
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi I'm newly diagnosed type 2 and my nurse doesn't think I need to test so is not providing me with a meter so I'm thinking of buying my own. Any advice on where to go and what to get would be great thanks

Lyn
 
Do a bit of research on the web. Look at the sites of the suppliers and when you see one you like, contact the supplier direct and ask what is the best deal they can do for you. Do you want an all singing all dancing, or a simple machine? Also some strips fill from the end and some from the side. End-fills need more blood per sample. Some machines will allow you to "top-up" a strip, others won't.
I'm perfectly happy with my Freestyle Lite from Abbott Diabetes Care. Tiny blood sample. reliable strips and fast . Also allows strip top ups for a number of seconds. Is small and neat in its case/ ANd Abbot customer service is excellent. Howeer this meter only has 3 buttons.One of those is the light. Not for the techies.
Hana
 
A good idea is to check the price of strips because that is where the money goes :!:
CAROL
 
Carty
If you buy strips from retail chemists, they all cost pretty much the same. If you buy from ebay, you need to go for a popular brand. I buy from the suppliers Abbott Diabetes Care, who give a fair price and good service.
Hana
 
Once you know which ones(s) you like, have a good look around. When I was newly diagnosed, I bought one from Amazon which only cost £3 ( but the testing strips were out of date ). I also entered a competition to win one-didn't win but the company sent me one anyway ( I'm guessing 'cos while the meters are cheap, the strips are expensive-they'll give the meters away so you buy THEIR test strips ). After all that, the next diabetic nurse I saw said, "Of course you can have a meter and strips-no problem!".......So now I have 3 :roll:
Deffo worth looking around-you might be lucky too!
 
Many companies will send you a meter for free, because as has been said they make their money on the strips.

I am very low tech and have used an accuchek compact for years, as I don't like change either. They have just upgraded it to a compact plus for me for free.

It is worth contacting companies and asking, you may get a metre for nothing
 
Hi Lymni,

Meters cost next to nothing if you look in the right places. I have bought 4 from ebay and LLoyds chemist. The reason I have 4 different meters, is because my PCT refuses to pay for strips unless you are insulin dependant, so I purchase my strips on ebay. The sale of strips is inconsistent and the best available deals fluctuates at any time between one product and another, hence the more meters you have, then the more opportunities you will have to "bag a bargain". Sadly, the best deals I have had, are from people who get strips on prescription, dont use them, then sell them on ebay.
I have no scruples about this, the system stinks, so rules are out the window as far as I am concerned!

All the best Steve
 
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