How to choose the right glucose meter

If you are like most diabetics, choosing the right glucose meter can become somewhat of a hassle. I talk to diabetics everyday and the most common question I am asked is,"Which meter do you recommend?". I also go more in depth and ask questions to find the right meter to suit the customers needs. Here are a few questions to ask when you want to find out which meter is right for you!

Q: Do you have arthritis?
A: If so, you may want to consider the following glucose meters: Breeze2 or Compact Plus

Q:Do you need a meter that comes in English/Spanish?
A: If so, you may want to consider the following glucose meters: Ultra2 or Select

Q:Do you have visual impairments?
A: If so, you may want to consider the following glucose meters: Voice or Autocode

Q:Do you have use an Insulin Pump or test more than 6x/day?
A: If so, you may want to consider the following glucose meters: UltraSmart, UltraLink, or NovaMax Link

Q:Do you want a meter that requires no coding at all?
A: If so, you may want to consider the following glucose meters: TRUEresult or Glucocard 01

The Other Diabetic Supplies

With a diagnosis of diabetes comes a full range of diabetic testing supplies, including your glucose meter, lancets, syringes, and test strips. You have everything you need to test your blood glucose levels and the medication needed to use accordingly. However, there are other diabetic supplies that aren’t as vital, but will improve your quality of life.

In the kitchen
When cooking and preparing meals, a very important part of your diabetes testing supplies will be your kitchen scale. You will need to measure your portions in order to track exactly how many carbohydrates you have eaten or to make accurate exchanges in your diet.

Add to your diabetic supplies quality food storage containers that will make it easier for you to pack and carry your lunches to work. You will find it much easier and healthier to make your lunches than trying to decipher ingredients and exchanges in a restaurant each day.

In the medicine cabinet
Your doctor will not include pill organizers on your list of required diabetic supplies, but if you are taking oral prescriptions, as well as recommended vitamin supplements, a weekly pill organizer will tell you at a glance if you have missed a dose of your medications, which can be detrimental to your health. This inexpensive device will be an important part of your diabetic supplies.

In your dresser
Circulation issues and nerve damage can lead to sores, swelling, and pain in your feet. Your list of diabetic supplies should include several pairs of quality diabetic socks and a kit to care for your feet that includes a long handled mirror so that you can examine your feet, even in areas you cannot normally see.

On your end table
As we get older, our eyes are not what they used to be. Even those with near perfect vision will experience eye strain at the end of the day, and the details of your glucose level readings and your insulin dosage measurements are too important to take any chances. As you fill your arsenal with diabetic supplies, purchase some drug store reading glasses and keep them handy for accurate reading of these important measurements.