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Recommendations - Blood Glucose Monitor / Tester

tigerlily72

Well-Known Member
Messages
517
Location
South West, England UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi, I hope I've posted in the right forum .... ?

I am not actually diabetic but I've recently been diagnosed as PRE DIABETIC (impaired glucose tolerance). I'm looking for a monitor so I can self test from time to time to try to keep an eye on my blood sugar.

I am quite needle phobic unfortunately so I'm looking for something that is easy to use and as pain free as possible! I will be getting my husband to do the deed whilst I look away I've read somewhere (can't remember where) that some kits don't penetrate the skin so much and have adjustable depths?

As I will need to buy the meter myself and also the test strips I'm after something that isn't too expensive.

I've had a browse on Amazon and found:

Codefree Blood Glucose Monitor which comes with lancets, strips and case at £13.19 and also

Accu Chek Aviva Nano which is out of stock!

Any help and advice would be really appreciated

Thanks in advance
 
Squire Fulwood said:
The SD codefree is the cheapest to run by far and you can buy it from Homehealth who ask if you are diabetic and knock the VAT off.

http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm
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Thanks Squire but as I'm not actually diabetic I'll have to pay the VAT, better not lie to get it cheaper!

I will wait for a few more responses before I make a decision what to buy but I think the Codefree looks the best run re: running costs and test strips.
 
Codefree is the cheapest to buy strips for. Don't forget to order extra strips and Lancets. Accu chek fastclick lancet system is very good as are there meters. You won't get a free meter from anyone unless you lie about being on insulin. It's the price of the strips that could choose the meter for you. This website has a shop so have a look.
 
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Hi, I've had a quick look at the Accu Chek website and if I'm looking at the right product (bearing in mind this is all new to me), 50 test trips for one of the Accu Chek monitors (Aviva I think) is around £29. I'm pretty sure the test strips for the Codefree were around £7 and the lancets around a similar price. So, the Codefree is looking the best at the moment.
 
In the States you have to say your on insulin and that you have insurance too otherwise you don't get one either
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Codefree is the cheapest meter to run if you're self-funding. Many users on the forum use it. "big brand" meter (like accu-chek) will cost you £25-30 for a pack of strips.

You can get a free meter if you're on insulin, otherwise you're in the same situation as most type 2s - you need to self-fund the whole thing.

For as little pain as possible when testing - use side of your fingers (not pads!) And set the lancing device to the lowest depth that gives you a blood sample. You may need a bit of "milking" on your finger - don't "squeeze out" the blood, rather use a long movement from the middle of your finger to the top (like milking).
Oh, and change the lancet regularly to make sure it's not getting blunt.

Good luck!
 
I use the Accu-chek Nano and have found it easy to use. You're entitled to claim 2 free batteries every 3 months. I've also found the strips on e-bay £12.50 for 50 which isn't too bad.
 

Thanks for the advice on how to actually take the blood sample. I had assumed it had to be from the finger pads! I will be putting it on the lowest depth once I get it and as long as I get enough for a sample I don't intend to set it to go any deeper!

Great advice so thank you
 
Daphne917 said:
I use the Accu-chek Nano and have found it easy to use. You're entitled to claim 2 free batteries every 3 months. I've also found the strips on e-bay £12.50 for 50 which isn't too bad.
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Hi and thanks for taking the time to reply. That's not too bad a price compared to what I'd managed to find on Amazon. I use Ebay quite a lot so if I don't get on with the Codefree I'd consider the Accu Chek.
 
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