A blood glucose meter is also known as glucometer is a device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood. It can also be a strip of glucose paper dipped into a substance and quantified to the glucose chart. It is a key element of monitoring blood glucose by people with diabetes mellitus or hypoglycemia.
A small amount of blood, obtained by pricking the skin, is placed on a disposable test strip where the meter reads and calculates blood glucose level. The blood glucose meter then exhibits the level in units of mg/dl or mmol/l. Since 1980, a primary goal of the supervision of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been achieving more proximate-to-mundane levels of glucose in the blood for as much of the time as possible.
The benefits of blood glucose meter include a reduction in the occurrence rate and rigour of long-term complications from hyperglycemia and a reduction in the short-term, possibly life-threatening complications of hypoglycemia.
Types of Glucose Meters
Different Blood Glucose Meters are available in the market. Newer are more advanced in technology, providing better features and coming in the lighter weight, a little size and at more affordable prices. There are a few types of blood glucose meters which you may find them online or in medical store. A good deal of blood glucose meters is available through different brands and models.
- All-In-One (Strip and Lancet Device)
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring
- Combined Wrist Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose Functions
- Glucose Monitoring for Visually Impaired Diabetics
- Built-In Food Monitoring Feature
- Wrist-Watch Glucose Meter
The latest technology of meter comes in “wrist-watch version” to check the glucose in the blood through the fluid under the skin. It is painless and able to take readings frequently.
There are differences between models that may help you decide. Consider that some systems:
- Are multi-site: You can pick yourself not only in the finger but also on the upper arm, forearm, thigh, calf, or any fleshy part of the hand.
- Requires the small amount of blood: The lancet doesn’t prick the skin as deeply.
- Quick results in as little as five seconds: If blood sugar is dangerously low, you need to find out fast and consume glucose to counteract it.
- More memory: Can keep a record of the 500 previous tests.
- Smaller and portable: Your blood sugar monitor’s size might matter.
- Easier to use: You may not always be checking blood sugar under ideal conditions, it’s important to consider the design of the model and its strips.
- Come with software: Most glucose monitors can store results in their memory, some devices will also sync with the computer.