Type 1 Diabetes Navigation
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CHOOSING YOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE METER
When you've got diabetes, checking your blood sugar is of utmost importance in helping to avoid life-threatening problems. The best way to keep your blood sugar under optimum control is by testing with a blood glucose meter. Your blood glucose meter is one of the most necessary items you will use in monitoring your diabetes. When choosing the right blood glucose meter for you, keep the following in mind.
Simple Testing - Choose a meter that is easy to use and understand.
Fast Results - Choose a meter that gives you a correct reading fast, within seconds.
Easy to Read Display - Choose a meter with a clear, easy to read display, especially if your eyesight has been damaged by diabetes.
Convenient Size and Shape - Choose a meter that is small enough to carry around everywhere you go and has a comfortable shape that fits in the palm of your hand.
Simple, Less Painful Lancet - Choose a meter featuring "less painful" lancets that either attach to your meter or come with a bag so you can easily keep the meter and lancet in one place.
No Coding Required - Choose a meter that doesn't require you to "code" in numbers from your test strips before allowing you to test.
No Individual Test Strips - Choose a meter with an "autodisc," "drum," "automated," or "preloaded" test strip cartridge that includes multiple test strips. They are more simple to use because you don't have to put in a new test strip each time you test.
Requires Small Drops of Blood - Choose a meter that only requires a small drop of blood to get accurate results.
Multiple Site Testing - Choose a meter that lets you do multiple site testing. It's much less painful when you can test from not only your finger, but also from your forearm, thigh, abdomen, palm, or any other parts of your body.
Saves Test Results - Choose a meter that saves and records your test scores, averages blood sugar levels, and comes with software so you can download your meter's records into your computer.
A Meter That Talks - If your eyesight has been damaged by diabetes, you can still check your blood sugar levels without the assistance of others with a speaking blood glucose meter.
Most insurance companies cover the cost of a blood glucose meter, lancets, and test strips, so price is not usually too much of an issue when choosing a meter.
Check with your specialist before buying your blood glucose meter to make sure it is suitable for your circumstances.
There are always new meters hitting the market, making it simpler and more convenient for diabetics to control their blood sugar. Keep learning and researching so you at all times have the blood glucose meter with the best features for you.
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