Home Blood Glucose Monitoring
Disclaimer Purpose Different owners do different things Will my pet hate me? Will I hurt my pet? Which meters are good for pets? Where to prick General precautions What the numbers mean Things to remember Conclusions Tips for glucometer elite Other Sources of information This section contains general principles about home blood glucose testing for pets. The different techniques used to obtain a blood sample from cats and dogs are described. Detailed instructions are given for the ear and paw prick methods for cats, and the lip and leg-callous stick for dogs. Important Disclaimer Managing diabetes is very complicated. Blood glucose (BG) readings can change depending on food consumption, exercise, stress, and normal daily fluctuations. There may also be other diseases or conditions that are effecting your pet's health. Home blood glucose monitoring should be performed in consultation with your veterinarian. Purpose of Home Blood Glucose Monitoring Home BG monitoring is a useful tool to help you and your veterinarian get your pet’s diabetes regulated. It can be used to determine how well the current type and dose of insulin is controlling the diabetes. This determination is best done under typical daily conditions where the pet’s feeding, exercise, and stress levels are normal. One common problem with doing BG testing in the vet’s office is that many pets, especially cats, become severely stressed, refuse to eat, are confined to a cage for a long period of time, then restrained for a blood test. These are not normal conditions and the BG values obtained at the vet’s office may not accurately reflect what the BG is doing on a typical day. If your pet’s diabetes is pretty well regulated, home BG monitoring can be used to check the BG on an occasional basis or to fi Continue reading >>
Best Blood Glucose Meter
We spent over 50 hours researching and testing 16 different types of blood glucose meters and found that accuracy, ease of use, and cost were most important. The active1st Complete Diabetes Testing Kit scored high marks in all categories and is our top pick. We loved that everything we needed to monitor of blood glucose levels were included in this kit. It has test strips, lancets, solution, instructions, and a convenient case to name a few items. This all inclusive kit made blood glucose monitoring less complicated and having all the components in one case made it easy to keep up with when it came time to test. Navigation Introduction to the Blood Glucose Meter The blood glucose meters that are available are much smaller than they used to be and come with much more in the way of features. Accuracy is much better with these newer models as well. There are approximately 29 million Americans that have diabetes. One of the most important things that someone with diabetes can do is monitor their blood glucose. These glucose meters allow them to keep tabs on their levels so there are no complications. These top rated blood glucose meters are popular with consumers because of their quality of performance and reliability. Getting accurate test results means they can safely make any needed adjustments to their exercise and diet plans. Being able to do this lowers their risk of complications that can include kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage and even seizures. active1st Bayer Contour NEXT Complete Diabetes Testing Kit You’ll have everything you need to test your blood glucose levels with the active1st Bayer Contour NEXT Complete Diabetes Testing Kit. Bayer Contour is well known as the #1 rated test strip in the world and tops the charts in fast results and accuracy. Keep Continue reading >>
- Kicking Off Diabetes Awareness Month: What Glucose Meter Is Best For Me?
- A Craftsman Blames His Tools: Blood Glucose Meter Accuracy & Long-Term Diabetes Control
- Postprandial Blood Glucose Is a Stronger Predictor of Cardiovascular Events Than Fasting Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Particularly in Women: Lessons from the San Luigi Gonzaga Diabetes Study
2016 Blood Glucose Meter Comparisons
Choose Your Blood Glucose Meter Wisely! These days, there is lots of emphasis on accuracy, particularly when it comes to continuous glucose monitors (and their ability to match blood glucose values) and insulin pumps (and their ability to deliver doses with extreme precision). But let’s not forget about that trusty, dusty blood glucose meter that has been a staple of diabetes management. Why is meter accuracy so important? For those who take rapid-acting insulin to cover meals and “correct” out-of-range blood sugar readings, accurate readings are necessary for determining the right dose. Inaccurate readings can lead to over- or under-dosing, which can produce dangerously high or low blood sugar results. An inaccurate meter can also cause a person to treat hypoglycemia inappropriately (if the meter reads too low) or miss the need for treatment (if the meter reads too high). And finally, with so many people using CGM systems, proper calibration is a must. The more accurate the fingerstick readings, the better the CGM will perform. Of course, no meter will provide accurate results if the user fails to use proper technique. That means: Making sure the finger (or other test area) is clean Using the test strips prior to their expiration date Keep the strips sealed in their bottle to prevent exposure to light and humidity Applying enough blood to fill the test strip completely. Never exposing the strips to extreme hot or cold temperatures. Coding the meter (if required) Our team believes that meters should be within 10% of lab values to be considered accurate. One of the more important things you can do to ensure accurate results is to choose the right meter. Blood glucose meters vary widely in terms of accuracy. Accuracy is determined by comparing measurements obtained Continue reading >>
- A Craftsman Blames His Tools: Blood Glucose Meter Accuracy & Long-Term Diabetes Control
- Postprandial Blood Glucose Is a Stronger Predictor of Cardiovascular Events Than Fasting Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Particularly in Women: Lessons from the San Luigi Gonzaga Diabetes Study
- Kicking Off Diabetes Awareness Month: What Glucose Meter Is Best For Me?
Blood Glucose Meter Reviews
Editor's note: The FreeStyle Lite, Bayer Contour Next and Prodigy Voice maintain their top spots for another year. Their staying power proves that reliable technology beats fancy features any day. Meanwhile, the up and coming FreeStyle Precision NEO gives its competitors in the "affordable" category a real run for their money. Users love the FreeStyle Lite glucometer for its tiny size, fast results, and the equally tiny 0.3 microliter blood sample it requires. Experts love it for its excellent repeatability and accuracy in clinical trials. Other user-friendly features that make this the top glucometer in our report include its backlit screen and illuminated test strip port, no-coding test strips, great durability, and a 400-reading memory that calculates a number of averages to help you spot trends in your glucose readings. The inexpensive Bayer Contour Next excelled in a clinical trial and packs features that are very rare in this price range, including programmable reminders and the ability to add notes or meal tags to readings. Users especially love that you can apply blood to the Contour Next test strips from almost any angle, and if you don't provide the full 0.6 microliter sample on the first try, you have up to 30 seconds to add more blood to the strip. Buy for $18.98 The Prodigy Voice continues its dominion over other talking glucose meters for very good reason: It's the only model we've seen that can talk you through every single aspect of its use, from setup to calibration, testing and accessing the memory function. The three high-contrast, touch-friendly buttons are located on the front of the device (no fishing around in the battery compartment), and a playback button allows you to repeat the last message or reading spoken by the meter. Buy for $39.49 Types Continue reading >>
- A Craftsman Blames His Tools: Blood Glucose Meter Accuracy & Long-Term Diabetes Control
- Postprandial Blood Glucose Is a Stronger Predictor of Cardiovascular Events Than Fasting Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Particularly in Women: Lessons from the San Luigi Gonzaga Diabetes Study
- Kicking Off Diabetes Awareness Month: What Glucose Meter Is Best For Me?
The Importance Of Checking Blood Sugar Levels
Besides helping to keep blood sugar levels (also known as blood glucose levels) under control, checking them according to the diabetes management plan will help you and your child: feel more aware and in control of what is happening with your child's diabetes prevent short-term diabetes symptoms and future health problems troubleshoot problems and make adjustments to the diabetes management plan more promptly and effectively manage sick days gain a better understanding of the impact of food, exercise, and medications on the blood sugar levels When and How Often How often you should test your child's blood sugar levels each day — and when — will depend on a number of things and can even change from day to day. In general, most kids with diabetes test their blood sugar levels before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and at bedtime. They may need to check more often when they're sick or if there are changes in their diabetes treatment or daily habits. They may also need to check more often if they use an insulin pump or another management plan that aims for very close control of blood sugar levels. The diabetes health care team can advise you on how often and when to check. Sometimes parents need to check their child's blood sugar levels in the middle of the night. For example, kids having problems with hypoglycemia episodes may need middle-of-the-night tests. And those who've just been diagnosed with diabetes may need more frequent tests while they and their families are learning how insulin or other diabetes medicines affect blood sugar levels. Continue reading >>
Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices
What does this test do? This is a test system for use at home to measure the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood. What is glucose? Glucose is a sugar that your body uses as a source of energy. Unless you have diabetes, your body regulates the amount of glucose in your blood. People with diabetes may need special diets and medications to control blood glucose. What type of test is this? This is a quantitative test, which means that you will find out the amount of glucose present in your blood sample. Why should you take this test? You should take this test if you have diabetes and you need to monitor your blood sugar (glucose) levels. You and your doctor can use the results to: determine your daily adjustments in treatment know if you have dangerously high or low levels of glucose understand how your diet and exercise change your glucose levels The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (1993) showed that good glucose control using home monitors led to fewer disease complications. How often should you test your glucose? Follow your doctor's recommendations about how often you test your glucose. You may need to test yourself several times each day to determine adjustments in your diet or treatment. What should your glucose levels be? According to the American Diabetes Association (Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes 2011, Diabetes Care, January 2011, vol.34, Supplement 1, S11-S61) the blood glucose levels for an adult without diabetes are below 100 mg/dL before meals and fasting and are less than 140 mg/dL two hours after meals. People with diabetes should consult their doctor or health care provider to set appropriate blood glucose goals. You should treat your low or high blood glucose as recommended by your health care provider. How accurate is this test? The ac Continue reading >>
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
With Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), you get a more complete picture of your glucose levels, which can lead to better treatment decisions and better glucose control. Without diabetes, your body tracks glucose levels all day and night to ensure the right amount of insulin is released at the right time. To successfully manage diabetes, a monitoring system is needed to consistently check your glucose levels. The most common glucose monitoring solutions are blood glucose meters and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. Sensor overtape not shown in depiction How Does CGM Work? CGM is a way to measure glucose levels in real-time throughout the day and night. A tiny electrode called a glucose sensor is inserted under the skin to measure glucose levels in tissue fluid. It is connected to a transmitter that sends the information via wireless radio frequency to a monitoring and display device. The device can detect and notify you if your glucose is reaching a high or low limit. The latest Medtronic CGM systems can actually alert you before you reach your glucose limits. CGM systems usually consist of a glucose sensor, a transmitter, and a small external monitor to view your glucose levels. MiniMed insulin pumps have built-in CGM so the information can be conveniently seen on your pump screen. The CGM monitor or insulin pump is small, discreet, and easy-to-wear. It can be attached to your belt, hidden in your pocket, or placed under your clothing. This component will show your current glucose levels and your historical glucose trends. It also notifies you before you reach your low or high glucose limits and if your glucose level rises or falls too quickly. The CGM transmitter is a small, lightweight device that attaches to the glucose sensor, gathers your glucose data, Continue reading >>
Blood Glucose Readings: What They Mean
Source: Web exclusive: June 2011 When you have diabetes, perhaps the most important thing you need to know is the level of your blood glucose, also known as your blood sugar. Since many factors can raise or lower your blood glucose, you may have to check it several times a day. But once you obtain a blood glucose reading, what exactly does it mean? Crunch those numbers When you test a drop of your blood with a glucose meter, the big number that pops onto the screen refers to the number of millimoles (mmol) of glucose per litre (L) of your blood. A millimole (mmol) is one-thousandth of a mole, which is a standard unit for measuring the mass of molecules. And if that’s not already confusing enough, the United States uses a completely different system than Canadians for measuring blood glucose. South of the border, blood glucose is measured in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL). This can sometimes be rather bewildering, especially if you’re brand new to diabetes and researching your disease on the Internet. “I tell people to go to a Canadian site first,” says Tabitha Palmer, a certified diabetes educator at the Centre for Clinical Research in Halifax. Know your targets So what numbers should you be looking for? Your target reading before meals should be between 4 and 7. Your blood sugar normally spikes two hours after a meal, so between 5 and 10 is a good range after you eat. Besides food, other factors that can cause your blood sugar to go up or down include exercise, illness, medications and stress. Your blood glucose readings are hands-down the best way to monitor whether or not your diabetes is generally well managed. "They really help the physicians and educators if we’re trying to look at whether you need to have your medication, insulin or mealtime adjusted, Continue reading >>
- Postprandial Blood Glucose Is a Stronger Predictor of Cardiovascular Events Than Fasting Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Particularly in Women: Lessons from the San Luigi Gonzaga Diabetes Study
- Does Gestational Diabetes always mean a Big Baby and Induction?
- Just Because You Have Diabetes Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Have Pizza
The Best Glucometers Of 2018
Our Process We spent over 80 hours researching the best 30 glucometers on the market. We considered the specifications, features, user reviews, medical studies, availability and cost. After eliminating models that used old technology, like coding, or were too difficult to find in stores, we purchased the best 12 blood glucose meters so we could perform hands-on evaluations of each device. Before diving into our recommendations for the best glucometers, it’s important to note that Top Ten Reviews is not a substitute for your primary care physician. Our recommendations are made based on common scenarios, hands-on experience, market cost evaluations and a comparison of important features, but they’re not a replacement for advice from your doctor. We are not medical experts. $19.99 The Accu-Chek Aviva Connect gets its name from its main feature – Bluetooth that connects it to a mobile app on your smartphone. This provides excellent data management of your readings so you can spot patterns and better treat your diabetes. In addition, the device's interface is one of the easiest to navigate. It has multiple buttons so you can get to the features you need quickly, and the display is high-contrast with big numbers. Another reason why the Aviva Connect is the best glucometer is the availability of its test strips – they are everywhere. We couldn't find a pharmacy or online store that didn't stock them. Of course, the one significant downside to the test strips is their cost. At $1.39 per strip in a pack of 100 and $1.52 per strip in a pack of 50, they’re more expensive than most test strips on the market. Best Glucometer for Value & Availability $13.95 The CONTOUR NEXT is our pick for the best glucometer if your primary concerns are overall value and the availability o Continue reading >>
Managing Diabetes With Physical Limitations
Do you have difficulty manipulating test strips or inserting them into your blood glucose meter? Can you no longer easily open medicine bottles? Do you sometimes struggle with tying your shoelaces? Many physical problems can interfere with your ability to manage your diabetes and take proper care of yourself more generally. Some of these problems, such as decreased feeling in your hands, may be a product of the diabetes itself, while other challenges such as tremors or poor joint mobility may be unrelated to your diabetes. Managing diabetes successfully requires a broad range of habits and behaviors. According to a model developed by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) in 2003, there are seven key behaviors that define a healthy lifestyle with diabetes; these are known as the AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors. They are (1) healthy eating, (2) being active, (3) monitoring, (4) taking medications, (5) problem-solving, (6) healthy coping, and (7) reducing risks. Some of these behaviors, such as healthy eating, are pretty self-explanatory, while others may benefit from a bit more explanation. For example, “monitoring” includes not just blood glucose monitoring but also tracking your blood pressure, weight, and foot health, as well as the number of steps you’ve walked throughout the day (to ensure that you’re getting enough physical activity). “Reducing risks” also encompasses a broad group of behaviors, including but not limited to smoking cessation, self-inspection of feet, maintaining up-to-date personal health records, and having regular eye, foot, and dental exams. Reducing risks also includes keeping track of and following instructions from your health-care team. This article focuses on common physical limitations, particularly those that can affe Continue reading >>
How To Beat Diabetes: Simple Test To Show If You Need Treatment
If you're in an at-risk group, you can get a free annual blood-glucose test The earlier diabetes is picked up, the better the prognosis, expert says One in three of us has raised blood-sugar levels, research suggests Some experts call these levels 'stage one diabetes' or 'pre-diabetes' So you think you might be at risk of type 2 diabetes — what next? If you are in one of the at-risk groups (over 25 and from a South Asian or Afro-Caribbean background, or Caucasian and over 40, particularly if you are overweight, obese or have a family history of diabetes) you can ask your GP for a free annual blood-glucose test. 'All the evidence shows that the earlier diabetes is picked up the better the prognosis, as it allows for better blood glucose control,' says Professor Anthony Barnett, a leading diabetes researcher based at Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital. 'A GP screening is best in a high-risk individual because it is free and they can then offer immediate treatment.' If you don't qualify for this, some chemists, such as Lloydspharmacy, will do a risk assessment involving a questionnaire looking at such factors as weight, age, diet and family history. If this indicates you are at risk of diabetes, you will be given a simple finger-prick blood test which checks your levels of glucose and gives immediate results. If your levels are above normal, you will be asked to come back and do a second test after fasting overnight. There are home test kits, which will give you the same reading as a pharmacy test, but a pharmacist's interpretation will be more informed, says Professor Barnett. People with borderline readings may benefit from a discussion with their GP, he adds. To get the most accurate result from a home test kit, he suggests taking it at least 1-2 hours after a meal, or Continue reading >>
Home Blood Glucose Testing Of The Diabetic Cat
Informational Links, Instructions, & Pictures Awesome Videos Note: Your cat may not initially behave as these cats do, but it will certainly give you something to look forward to. Many cats end up this calm after only a week or two of testing. Frustration is normal, but you *can* do this! Tips and Tricks Please read the walk throughs and instructional sites for more in depth help. When you get a test reading of over 300 on a human meter, you will probably see KETONES? flash on the screen. This is a warning to human diabetics and does not indicate your cat has ketones. Most meters cannot test for ketones. One meter CAN test for ketones.. the Abbott Precision Xtra meter (known outside of the USA as brand name Precision/Optimum/Xceed). Rice socks are commonly used to warm the ear. Rolled oats may also be used. Put a few tablespoons of rice or oats in a sock, knot it, and microwave it 20-30 seconds. Test on your wrist before applying to your cat's ear. After a minute or two of the warm sock, the ear should be warm enough to prick. Other methods of warming the ear include: warm wet washcloth in a ziplock bag; vigorous massage/rubbing; wrapping the ear around a pill bottle with warm water in it. To hold or not to hold? Some cats prefer not to be held. You can use the "knee catch" where you back the cat between your knees while kneeling. You can place the cat between you and the sofa arm. You can wrap the kitty in a towel, like a kitty "burrito". You can test the cat wherever you find her. You can have a testing table or counter, where you place kitty for every test. Or you can do what I do - Sit on the floor with kitty in your lap. All of my cats are tested this way, but it doesn't mean it's the only way. Try everything you can think of, request advice if you need it, and giv Continue reading >>
All-in-one Smart Glucose Meter
The Dario All-In-One Smart Glucose Meter is specially designed to fit your lifestyle in the digital age. This sleek, complete glucose monitoring solution includes a simple-to-use glucose meter, a disposable test strip cartridge holding 25 test strips, and lancing device – and easily fits in your pocket. Using the technology and mobility of your smartphone, the Dario connects to your mobile device and automatically logs your blood glucose measurements, sharing your results with caregivers and doctors – no matter where you are on the globe. Why You’ll Love the Dario Smart Glucose Meter Connects directly to your Smartphone – no need for extra cables or adapters Rapid results – receive your blood glucose reading within 6 seconds Accurate – Dario accuracy meets ISO standards with only a small blood sample Pocket-Size Meter – easily fits into your purse or pocket, no need for a bulky pouch or case Battery free – the power comes from the SmartPhone. No need to carry extra batteries for your glucose meter Strip Cartridge Each strips cartridge holds 25 disposable strips. Reloading your strips is simple, just pull out the old cartridge and insert a new one. Glucose Meter The simple-to-use Dario Smart Glucose Meter automatically tracks your blood sugars with a tiny meter that plugs into your phone’s audio jack. Blood glucose readings are directly tracked, charted, and analyzed for you. Lancing Device The Dario All-In-One Smart Glucose Meter contains a lancing device for convenient blood glucose testing. Simply place your finger on the lancet end of the Dario, pull down on the lancet slider, and push the release button to use. Smart Mobile Device Integration The Dario Smart Glucose Meter is cleared for use with a variety of mobile devices. The glucose meter pops o Continue reading >>
Am I Diabetic? How To Test Your Blood Sugar To Find Out
If you have not been diagnosed with diabetes but suspect you might have something wrong with your blood sugar, there is a simple way to find out. What you need to do is to test your blood sugar after you have eaten a meal that contains about sixty grams of carbohydrates. You can ask your doctor to test your blood sugar in the office if you have an appointment that takes place an hour or two after you've eaten or, if this isn't an option, you can use an inexpensive blood sugar meter to test your post-meal blood sugar yourself at home. You do not need a prescription to buy the meter or strips. One advantage of testing yourself at home is that with self-testing you do not run the risk of having a "diabetes" diagnosis written into your medical records which might make it impossible for you to buy health or life insurance. To run a post-meal blood sugar test do following: Borrow a family member's meter or buy an inexpensive meter and strips at the drug store or Walmart. The Walmart Relion meter store brand meters sold at pharamcies like CVS, Walgreens, etc are usually the least expensive. Some meters come with 10 free strips. Check to see if the meter you have bought includes strips. If it doesn't, buy the smallest package size available. Strips do not keep for very long once opened, so don't buy more than you need for a couple tests. Familiarize yourself with the instructions that came with your meter so that you know how to run a blood test. Practice a few times before you run your official test. Each meter is different. Be sure you understand how yours works. The first thing in the morning after you wake up but before you have eaten anything, test your blood sugar. Write down the result. This is your "fasting blood sugar." Now eat something containing at 60 - 70 grams of Continue reading >>
Top 10 Best Glucose Meters From Consumer Reports 2015
World-wide annual sales of glucose meters and test-strip supplies tally up to well over 10 billion dollars each year, but with over 50 styles and brands to choose from, it can be hard to determine which meter is not only the best for your needs but also best in terms of accuracy, price, and ease of use. Thanks to Stacey Divone from The Girl with the Portable Pancreas, we got the inside scoop on the 2015 Consumer Reports review of today’s glucose meter technology. The first nine of these meters scored as “excellent” in accuracy and “above 80 out of 100” for their overall assessment. Here are the top 10 recommended meters: FreeStyle Lite: $20 for the meter with an annual cost of $2410 at 4 strips per day FreeStyle Freedom Lite: $20 for the meter with an annual cost of $2410 at 4 strips per day Bayer Contour Next: $20 for the meter with an annual cost of $1460 at 4 strips per day Well at Walgreens True Metrix: $22 for the meter with an annual cost of $1225 at 4 strips per day Bayer Breeze 2: $25 for the meter with an annual cost of $1900 at 4 strips per day Up & Up Blood Glucose Meter from Target: $15 for the meter with an annual cost of $525 at 4 strips per day Accu-Chek Aviva Plus: $30 for the meter with an annual cost of $2115 at 4 strips per day ReliOn Micro from Walmart: $15 for the meter with an annual cost of $525 at 4 strips per day Accu-Chek Compact Plus: $75 for the meter with an annual cost of $2030 at 4 strips per day ReliOn Ultima from Walmart: $15 for the meter with an annual cost of $525 at 4 strips per day Do you use one of these top 10 meters? What are your favorite and least favorite features? Further reading on blood sugar monitoring: Continue reading >>
