Using Glucose Meters - Monitoring Your Blood Sugar Levels: Diabetes

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Using glucose meters

Glucose meters are standard equipment for many people with diabetes. A drop of blood from a prick of a finger or forearm is all you need to use the meter. Most people get their sample using spring-loaded lancing devices that stick your finger at the push of a button. Most look like oversize pens, are generally painless, and do the job in seconds.

You place the blood sample on a special plastic test strip that you insert into — or is contained within — the meter, which measures the glucose in the sample. Each batch of strips differs, and to ensure accuracy, you must recalibrate your meter every time you start a fresh batch. This procedure is simple and takes only seconds. Periodically, it's also important to use a special solution to test your meter to make certain it's giving accurate readings.

Most meters are small and portable and cost $50–$80. People with less manual dexterity may find a bigger style easier to handle. If you have poor eyesight, you may want one with a large-print digital display or one that "talks." Processing time differs from model to model, but most take between 5 and 30 seconds to give a reading. Certain devices require more blood than others, and some meters have memories that store the results of many tests. The most sophisticated models can save information from your glucose readings and insulin doses, and record your notes about exercise and diet (see "Doing your research,").

Some health plans cover only particular models, so check with your insurer before purchasing one. Pricing test strips is also prudent because their cost is the major expense of self-monitoring, and most meters are compatible with only one type of strip.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007