Choosing a meter

[chris1850]

Hi, My husband has just been diagnosed with Type 2 and I think that we have wasted some money on a meter that might not be the best. How do you choose a meter? There seem to be hundreds out there and they all look very similar to me.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Rachox wrote the below about meters. Basically, you want one that's cheap in strips, as that's where the costs are.
Hope this helps!
Jo


Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for 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 the 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-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/


https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/


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.


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/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


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)

 

[Mummybear3]

I got one from Argos. It’s the St. John’s ambulance one. Well-being kinetik the strips are £24.99 for 100 and the meter was £20 if I remember rightly. I’ve also got the contour next meter but the strips for that are £28.99 for 50. I do prefer the contour next meter as it’s compatible with the contour app. But it’s just not cost effective for me. I suppose it depends on what you want from your meter?! Wether you want it to check ketones as well or not. Mine are just the basic ones. X

 

[Daphne917]

I got one from Argos. It’s the St. John’s ambulance one. Well-being kinetik the strips are £24.99 for 100 and the meter was £20 if I remember rightly. I’ve also got the contour next meter but the strips for that are £28.99 for 50. I do prefer the contour next meter as it’s compatible with the contour app. But it’s just not cost effective for me. I suppose it depends on what you want from your meter?! Wether you want it to check ketones as well or not. Mine are just the basic ones. X

You may find them cheaper on eBay - I’ve got an Aviva Nano and strips are approx £17.00 for 50 but I often manage to pick them up for between £8.00 to £10.00

 

[HSSS]

Hi, My husband has just been diagnosed with Type 2 and I think that we have wasted some money on a meter that might not be the best. How do you choose a meter? There seem to be hundreds out there and they all look very similar to me.

What’s the problem with the one you’ve got? Which is it?

 

[Mrs T 123]

Rachox wrote the below about meters. Basically, you want one that's cheap in strips, as that's where the costs are.
Hope this helps!
Jo


Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for 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 the 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-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/


https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/


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.


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/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


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)

I phoned Spirit Healthcare on 0800 number and got meter for free! Strips are cheapest at around £7.50 for a tub of 50.

 

[Mrs T 123]

You may find them cheaper on eBay - I’ve got an Aviva Nano and strips are approx £17.00 for 50 but I often manage to pick them up for between £8.00 to £10.00

Where do you manage to get these strips for around £10? They are now £20 in Boots

 

[Mummybear3]

I phoned Spirit Healthcare on 0800 number and got meter for free! Strips are cheapest at around £7.50 for a tub of 50.

Wowzers that’s amazing value!!! Thanks for this info.

 

[Daphne917]

Where do you manage to get these strips for around £10? They are now £20 in Boots

I bid for 4 x 50 boxes from eBay

 

[ianf0ster]

I too use the Tee2 - though I didn't get the meter for free
Still it is the test strips that are the biggest cost by far if you are serious about controlling Blood Glucose by dietary means, because you need to test twice per (new) meal before and then 2hrs after first bite to see that it didn't spike your Blood Glucose by more than 2.0 mmol/L

 

[Mrs T 123]

I too use the Tee2 - though I didn't get the meter for free
Still it is the test strips that are the biggest cost by far if you are serious about controlling Blood Glucose by dietary means, because you need to test twice per (new) meal before and then 2hrs after first bite to see that it didn't spike your Blood Glucose by more than 2.0 mmol/L

Shy kids get nothing - I said I had heard the meter was sometimes free when I phoned them up and the kind customer service rep. said she would give me it for free - may be if you don't ask you don't get?

 

[MrsA2]

I found it took quite a while to get used to testing, it's a knack and a skill.
So used a lot of strips initially. I use the Tee2 but even at most testing in the early days it was less than £8 a week , less than most supplements, and alcohol!

 

[Deleted member 489048]

Hi, My husband has just been diagnosed with Type 2 and I think that we have wasted some money on a meter that might not be the best. How do you choose a meter? There seem to be hundreds out there and they all look very similar to me.

I changed over to a SD Codefree meter as the strips are far less expensive.

 

[Mummybear3]

Rachox wrote the below about meters. Basically, you want one that's cheap in strips, as that's where the costs are.
Hope this helps!
Jo


Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for 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 the 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-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/


https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/


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.


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/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


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)

Thankyou sooooo much for this post. I’ve just ordered the same meter as you as I want to be able to test my blood for ketones. Not just urine. (I can’t always pee on demand lol) plus it’s a more accurate way of taking the measurements I’ve been told. I’ve just saved myself an absolute fortune!!!!! I will put my other meter in my car lol. Who knew you could get so excited over a new meter eh?! But I’m buzzing. I can’t honestly believe the cost and your get solutions free and lancet pens and batteries I’m in diabetic heaven right now (if there is such a thing) I’m smiling from ear to ear.

 

[TypeZero.]

Hi, My husband has just been diagnosed with Type 2 and I think that we have wasted some money on a meter that might not be the best. How do you choose a meter? There seem to be hundreds out there and they all look very similar to me.

Contour Next One meters are offered for free for diabetics and I personally love it. It stores your readings and has Bluetooth, you can download the Diasend app and connect your meter to load all of your results onto Diasend which analyses your data and also allows your doctor to see it.

The link is here below for the meter:

https://www.contournextone.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwbvkop2q6gIVze3tCh1NCA5qEAAYASAAEgKfTfD_BwE

The strips are £13-20 per 50 strips apparently if the cost is something you want to factor in.

If you are really concerned about his health you can finance a Freestyle Libre sensor which is placed on your arm and continuously measures blood glucose for £48.29 per two weeks. Although this is a bit costly, if his condition is very bad then I advise the Libre but if he’s usually on the lower end of diabetic range then I advise a normal glucose meter

 

[chris1850]

Thank you. Apologies for not replying before. I have just found this post.

 

[chris1850]

What’s the problem with the one you’ve got? Which is it?

We hadn't at the time received it but I subsequently read some bad reviews. It is Kinetic. We have used it now and it seems OK so we'll stay with it

 

[type2_2020]

Meters are free on NHS if you got a medical exemption

 

[HSSS]

Meters are free on NHS if you got a medical exemption

Actually not. Prescriptions with a medical certificate (which you need to apply for) might be free but the dr still has to choose to prescribe meters and the strips. They usually don’t for type 2 unless on insulin or meds like glicazide.

 

[lesleyfromkent]

This string is now a bit out of date. I've just been looking at prices, and Home Health for my Gluconavii still seems to be cheapest, I just bought 250 strips for an ultimate price of £36.91 delivered, non-diabetic price (diabetic price is only a couple of quid cheaper) using the Navii5 code (for 20% off at the checkout). Works out at 15p a strip (box of 500 strips is essentially the same price).