Diabetes--------

Keeping an accurate account of your blood glucose levels is an essential part of diabetes management. Blood glucose meters are related technology that simplifies everyday diabetes treatment. Urine testing remains important (particularly to check for the presence of ketones ), but having an accurate blood sugar meter makes diabetic management easy for your disease.

Choosing the right meter is equally important ,the products , the cost of test strips (or NHS prescription availability) and the most suitable device for your individual diabetic needs. Consult your healthcare team and GP before purchasing. Some people prefer to have more than one blood glucose monitor - one for home and one for the office, or one for home and one for travelling.

Your healthcare team should be able to advise on how many times per day you need to check your blood sugar levels.

How easy are blood glucose meters to use?

This will depend on the design interface favoured by the manufacturer, but some blood glucose monitors are definitely easier to use than others. Some of the diabetic devices require a smaller drop of blood to give a reading. Inquire and learn the process before purchasing the device and speak to as many peers and experts as possible.

How accurate are blood glucose meters?

All blood glucose meters should have a high degree of accuracy. Because of the possible implications if they are inaccurate, most manufacturers make sure that their products give accurate readings. However, testing the meter regularly to ensure that it is still accurate is a good idea, as meters can become less accurate over time.

How do I test the accuracy of my blood glucose meter?

Many professionals recommend checking the accuracy of your blood glucose meter at least once every month. The best way to do this is to use the meter at the same time you visit your GP for a diabetic check up , and then compare the two results.

Why might a blood glucose meter become inaccurate?

Blood glucose meters with time may malfunction and become inaccurate should they be dirty, ageing or if they become too hot or damp. Furthermore, if the strips are outdated or the meter has a problem calibrating with the strips, the meter may give inaccurate reading . Meters should be cleaned regularly, and taken care of like any other electronic device.

Are blood glucose meters portable?

All blood glucose meters today are easy to carry and are mostly run on batteries, meaning that portability is not usually an issue. When it comes to carrying your meter on board a flight, you should prepare by getting a letter from your GP in advance.

How long do tests take using blood glucose meters?

Most meters don't take more than a minute to provide accurate blood sugar level results. For most people and in the case of most meters, speed of testing will not really be an issue. Many of the later model blood glucose meters will provide results in as little as five seconds.

Are meters available for people who have problems with retinopathy or other eye disorders?

Several leading brands also make audible blood glucose monitors that give verbal instructions and verbal test results to their user. This range includes meters that can speak in other languages besides English.