Glucose meters
Having diabetes can mean that you are constantly in need of monitoring your blood glucose levels. One way of making sure your glucose levels are at the appropriate level is by using a glucose meter. If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may have instructed you to get a glucose meter to watch your levels at home.
When using most glucose meters, you take a small amount of blood and place it on a test strip. You then place the test strip into the meter to be read. The meter is able to read the glucose levels because the test strips are coated with glucose oxidase, hexokinase or dehydrogenase chemicals. When these chemicals interact with the glucose in the blood it shows how much glucose is actually in the blood. A number will be given as a result. This number is used to determine whether the glucose is too high or too low in the blood.
There are several different glucose meters available to the general public. They all vary in several ways. Some use different amounts of blood to test the glucose levels. Some have shorter testing times where others may take a little longer. There are also different sized meters. Some people who like to travel or are not at home a lot may prefer a smaller sized meter to carry with them. There are also the options of having a glucose meter that can store blood glucose test results to review and compare. The costs of each meter will vary depending on the features that you choose to have, as well as the costs of the test strips used in the meters. Some of the older models may not be as easy to use as the newer models but everyone likes different styles of meters. Another feature that may be important is having a large display screen or having a meter that has audio results for those that may suffer from poor eye sight or are elderly.
Before purchasing a glucose meter it is a good idea to talk to your doctor to see if he or she recommends a particular brand that will take care of all your needs. Your doctor will also be able to instruct you on how often you should test your glucose levels. For those people that need insulin, testing glucose levels may need to be performed more often. For a lot of diabetic patients it is necessary to monitor the glucose levels three or more times a day. It may be necessary to monitor your blood before meals and again 2 hours after meals. Other times for testing may include before going to bed and even in the middle of the night. Having a glucose meter is important so you can monitor your blood glucose level anytime you start experiencing negative symptoms.
If you are wondering if you should start monitoring your blood glucose levels you should discuss this with your doctor. Having diabetes is very serious and should not be taken lightly. Diabetes can cause several other medical conditions if not monitored and treated appropriately. Most of the test kits are for monitoring the blood glucose levels in those people suffering from Type 1 Diabetes. If you suffer from Type 2 Diabetes you will want to discuss whether using a glucose monitor is right for you and, if so, which type is best. Women with diabetes that are pregnant may also have other recommendations by the physician when it comes to using a glucose meter. No matter what type of monitor you choose to use, be sure to let your doctor know your results. Never assume you no longer need to be evaluated on a regular basis by your physician.
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