Blood glucose meters perform only one function:examine the blood, reporting high or low glucose levels. The user must pierce his finger with a scarifier, and then touch the resulting drop with a test strip, which must be inserted into the device beforehand. The standard functionality of the device includes memory for storing analysis history and averaging readings for a certain period of time. Some devices have software that allows you to monitor and visualize trends in blood glucose levels, as well as set up alerts or note specific results.
For people with limited vision and for the blindTalking blood glucose meters are produced. Audio messages instruct the user during the instrument setup, analysis and recording of results. The best models have a manual printed in Braille, large buttons that are easy to identify when touched, and large, easily readable numbers for those whose vision is partially preserved.
Accuracy First
When choosing which meter is better, accuracy andthe sequence (repeatability) of measurements should be given greater importance than the beautiful but useless functions of some modern models. For diabetics, the correct measurement, at least within reasonable limits, can be, if not a matter of life and death, then an opportunity to constantly feel good.
Compliance of the home glucometer with modernstandards does not mean that he is the best. The newest standards require that 95% of testimony be within ± 15% of the laboratory, and 99% within ± 20%. This is better than previous recommendations, but it still leaves a lot of room for an “acceptable” error.
Price
Even if the state or insurance companycompensate for the cost of such devices, it should be borne in mind that coverage may extend to a limited choice of brands, so you need to check this before you buy. Sometimes you can get a free sample from your doctor or even directly from the manufacturer.
Determining which electrochemical blood glucose meterbetter, you need to take into account the cost of consumables - they determine the real cost of the device. The price of test strips varies from 1 to 3.5 thousand rubles. for 50 pieces. If you check the level of sugar 4 times a day, then this is enough for almost 2 weeks. For more expensive brands, the cost of test strips can be up to 85 thousand rubles a year.
Dangerous combination
Choosing which meter is the best, shouldremember that taking certain substances may cause it to malfunction. Models that use GDH-PQQ test strip technology sometimes give dangerous (and potentially deadly) false readings. Therefore, in case of any questions or problems you should always consult with your doctor.
The quality of a good blood glucose meter for home
Какая, по отзывам пользователей, характеристика blood sugar test is most important? Accuracy. Some clinical studies suggest that device compliance with standards does not mean that it will give true evidence in the real world. So which blood glucose meter is better? It must have a good reputation for accuracy in clinical trials, independent tests, and among consumers.
Простота использования.When deciding which blood glucose meter is best to choose, it is necessary to take into account that uncomplicated devices will most likely be used as many times as necessary. For most users, this means a bright, easy-to-read screen, buttons that are easy to press, tolerant test strips, and a fairly small blood sample. Talking blood glucose meter will greatly simplify the analysis for people with limited vision.
No need for additionalsettings. If the user does not need to recode his device every time he opens a new pack of test strips, entering new codes manually or using a key or chip, this means eliminating another opportunity to make a mistake. However, some owners claim that they are used to coding and not against it.
A small amount of sample. The less blood the meter requires for each analysis, the less painful it is to use, and the less likelihood of error and damage to the test strip.
Alternative sites for blood sampling.Using other parts of the body makes it possible to relax the sensitive fingertips. Some blood glucose meters allow you to take blood from your arms, legs, or stomach. However, there are situations where you should not do this (for example, during rapid changes in glucose levels), so you should consult your doctor about the possibility of using this method.
Storage of analysis results. The best blood glucose meters are capable of storing hundreds or thousands of readings with date and time stamps, helping to monitor the history of the disease and check the accuracy of tests.
Averaging and labeling functions.Most blood glucose monitors are able to calculate average readings for a 7, 14, or 30-day period. Some models also allow you to specify whether tests were performed before or after a meal, and add custom notes that are useful for tracking changes in sugar levels.
Передача данных.Blood glucose meters with the ability to export data (often using a USB cable) allow you to download test results to a computer so that you can better monitor your blood sugar or share it with your doctor.
Availability of test strips.In deciding which blood glucose meter is best for your home, the cost of consumables is crucial. Test strips are the most expensive component of the device. Their prices can vary considerably. Some manufacturers of expensive test strips offer assistance programs that reduce costs.
What should I know?
There are cases of death of patients due toincorrect readings of blood glucose meters and test strips with GDH-PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase). These people took sugar-containing drugs - mostly dialysis solution. The blood glucose meter showed a high blood glucose level, although in reality it was deadly low.
This happened only to people who usedsugar-containing therapy, and only with devices for GDH-PQQ strips, which are not able to distinguish glucose from other sugars. It is always necessary to carefully study the documentation for the device, because it contains warnings about whether sugar-containing medications affect the blood test results.
In addition, regulators recommend not to use blood glucose meters with GDH-PQQ test strips if any of the following products are ingested:
- icodextrin solution for peritoneal dialysis;
- some immunoglobulins;
- adhesion solutions containing icodextrin;
- radioimmunotherapeutic agent Bexxar;
- any product that contains maltose, galactose or xylose, or products that the body breaks down to form the indicated monosaccharides.
Simplicity is the norm
Когда речь идет о том, какой глюкометр лучше и more precisely, the number of steps in the blood test process is important. The fewer they are, the less the likelihood of errors. Thus, the best glucometers are devices that make the process of checking sugar levels as safe as possible. When using them, it is enough to insert a test strip, pierce a finger, apply blood and read the result.
Tiny FreeStyle Freedom Lite (worthabout 1,400 rubles.) in size not more than a pack of chewing gum. For analysis, it requires only 0.3 μl of blood. Users like this because, according to them, this makes the testing process much less painful and frightening. They also approve of the sound signal after applying a sufficient amount of blood, and if this did not work out on the first attempt, that is 60 seconds, to add more. After this, the result appears after about 5 s. There is no need for manual coding when using a new set of test strips, which helps reduce possible errors.
What is much more important than comfort and convenient featuresso is the accuracy of the instrument. The results of the FreeStyle Freedom Lite tests are true in more than 99% of cases. This is confirmed by publications in medical journals and independent trials. Although this is not the newest meter, users love it for its reliability. Many people use it for years and do not experience any problems, remaining confident in its efficiency and reliability. "Complaints" of users on this model are associated only with the lack of complete test strips that must be purchased separately, and with the scarifier.
Other features that make FreeStyle FreedomLite so popular is a simple two-button operation, the ability to store up to 400 readings and calculate average values that help determine the patterns of changes in blood glucose over time, super-large digits on the display and a port that allows you to download data to a Windows or OS computer X using AutoS Assist. The software produces several reports, including meter settings, averages, daily statistics, and specific metering reports.
Glucometer uses quite expensive test strips FreeStyle Lite worth from 1500 rub. for 50 pieces.
Accu-Chek Aviva Plus
If test strips or blood glucose meters FreeStyleseem too small, it is worth considering the option of acquiring Accu-Chek Aviva Plus at a price of about 2.2 thousand rubles, which also received many accolades for its simplicity of operation. He has more strips than others, and they, like the device itself, are so comfortable that they received the Ease of Use award from the Arthritis Foundation (USA). This is the answer to the question of which blood glucose meter is best for older people. Moreover, a random touch to the surface of the strip does not lead to distortion of the results and its damage.
Accu-Chek Aviva Plus также ценится за точность, confirmed by many clinical trials and rigorous comparative analyzes of the Diabetes Technology Society, in which more than 1000 devices participated. It requires a reasonable blood volume of 0.6 μl, which is about 2 times more than FreeStyle Freedom Lite. The result also appears after 5 seconds.
Так все-таки, какой глюкометр лучше?Aviva Plus is more popular than Freestyle Freedom Lite, but users complain about frequent error messages that cost expensive test strips. Some do not understand the controls. The device may have received very high marks only for consistent reliability of results, although otherwise the model is inferior to competing devices.
Тем не менее Aviva Plus предлагает внушительный a set of functions, including memory for 500 readings, 4 customizable warnings, markers of results made before and after meals, and the ability to calculate averages. The meter does not need to recode for each new batch of test strips. There is an infrared port for transferring data to a computer, but most will need to purchase an infrared receiver in order to use this feature. Apply the meter can be without it. You can manage, monitor, analyze and share data through the Accu-Chek program, which is sold with an IR sensor.
It should be remembered that Aviva test strips were included in the list of those that can respond to certain sugars, giving a falsely high level of glucose in the blood.
OneTouch Ultra Mini
If preference is given to size and simplicitywork, then the OneTouch Ultra Mini version might be suitable. According to experts, the device is consistently accurate, and users like its small size and ease of use. The meter can store 500 measurements, but the display has no backlight, and the owners are not thrilled by the fact that a sufficiently large amount of blood is required - 1 µl. The manufacturer warns that with a smaller volume the results may be inaccurate.
OneTouch Ultra Mini test strips are expensive.Users with arthritis and trembling hands complain that it is difficult to work with the device. This should be taken into account by those who choose which blood glucose meter is better for an elderly person. However, if you need a simple, functional and portable device, then this model is a good option.
Cheap blood glucose meters
Может возникнуть соблазн судить о приборе для measuring blood sugar only at its original cost. But, given that the glucose level needs to be checked 4 times a day, you may need more than 100 test strips per month. The true cost of the device is best measured by their costs. Some large manufacturers even distribute their glucometers for free, because the cost of their production is offset by sales of consumables.
However, instruments with minimal annualoperating costs are usually inexpensive. But which blood glucose meter is better? The most popular is Bayer Contour Next, which costs about 900 rubles. Bayer was purchased by Panasonic, which created the new Ascencia division. So technically this is Ascencia Contour Next, but most retailers still use the old brand.
This is one of the few inexpensive glucometers,which not only successfully passed clinical trials, but also surpassed professional monitors. Contour Next is the only instrument that showed 2% of 3 test series 100% compliance and 1 - 99%. Here is a good blood glucose meter for your home! But that is not all.
The device does not require recoding, it can takeblood from almost any angle and allows you to add it to the test strip, if the first time it was not enough. The blood glucose meter requires 0.6 µL of blood and allows the palm to be used as an alternative pickup location.
Other popular features - the ability to addnotes to saved readings, mark them as taken before or after meals (or during fasting) and programmable reminders. Bayer Contour Next can display on-screen messages in 14 languages, has a micro-USB port that allows you to transfer data to a PC for charting and registering with Glucofacts Deluxe.
Bayer Contour test strips are inexpensive, andBayer / Ascencia offers a suite that helps save even more. Contour Next Kit cost about 2.3 thousand rubles. includes the device itself, 50 strips, 100 scarifiers, 100 cotton swabs with alcohol and a device for piercing. This is a strong argument for those who choose which blood glucose meter is good for the home and which one is not.
FreeStyle Precision NEO
Ближайшим конкурентом Contour Next является FreeStyle Precision NEO. Although the blood glucose meter requires 0.6 µL of blood (2 times more than other FreeStyle models) and does not have a backlit screen, it works, which has the greatest value, providing excellent accuracy and repeatability.
FreeStyle Precision NEO is equippedHigh-contrast display with large numbers, capable of storing up to 1000 readings and displays trend indicators that allow you to detect periods when the level of glucose in the blood rises or falls. Most users are happy with this meter because it is simple, straightforward and effective. Test results can be downloaded to the LibreView web application, but many ignore this feature.
Re-configure the device for each newThe boxes of the FreeStyle Precision NEO strips are not needed, but each of them needs to be unpacked separately, which the majority oppose. There are also complaints about unstable readings or the sudden termination of the device.
ReliOn Confirm
Small and affordable meter alsois ReliOn Confirm (about 900 rubles). According to user feedback, it is accurate and provides good repeatability. According to their estimates, the annual cost of test strips is about 30 thousand rubles, which is much less than the cost of most other consumables for blood glucose meters.
The functions of ReliOn Confirm are quite simple:remembering the date and time of the analysis, calculating the average values and marking the results obtained before and after the meal. Owners like the reliability and affordable functionality, ease of carrying and a small volume of blood samples, equal to 0.3 μl. If your fingers hurt, the device allows you to use the palm. You can also download data to a PC or smart device.
However, ReliOn Confirm is not supplied with a bottle.control solution that allows you to check the accuracy of the device. The manufacturer provides it for free, but users are often disappointed that they have to wait for its delivery.
Glucometers “Satellite”: which one is better?
Эти приборы российского производства стоят от 900 up to 1400 rub. The most modern, fast and expensive model is the "Satellite Express". The device requires entering the test strip code. The required blood volume is 1 μl. Analysis time - 7 s. 50 test strips will cost 360-500 rubles. The meter has a memory of 60 readings. The kit includes 25 flat, a piercing pen, 25 scarifiers, a control strip, a case, instructions and a warranty card. Warranty period - 5 years.
