Glucometers perform only one function: they examine the blood, reporting a high or low glucose level. The user must pierce his finger with a scarifier, and then touch the drop with a test strip, which must first be inserted into the device. The standard functional capabilities of the device include memory for storing the analysis history and averaging of readings over a certain period of time. Some devices have software that allows you to track and visualize trends in blood glucose levels, as well as set alerts or mark special results.
For visually impaired people and for the blind, talking glucometers are produced. Sound messages instruct the user during the process of setting up the instrument, analyzing and recording the results. The best models have a Braille manual, large buttons that are easy to identify when touched, and large, easy-to-read numbers for those who have partially preserved their vision.
Accuracy First
When choosing which meter is better, accuracy and sequence (repeatability) of measurements should be given more importance than the beautiful, but useless functions of some modern models. For patients with diabetes, the correct measurement, at least within reasonable limits, may be, if not a matter of life and death, then the ability to constantly feel good.
The compliance of the home meter with modern standards does not mean that it is the best. The latest standards require that 95% of the readings be within ± 15% of the laboratory, and 99% within ± 20%. This is better than the previous recommendations, but still leaves a lot of room for an "acceptable" error.
Price
Even if the state or the insurance company compensates for the cost of such devices, it should be borne in mind that coverage may extend to a limited selection of brands, so you need to check this before buying. Sometimes you can get a free sample from your doctor or even directly from the manufacturer.
When determining which electrochemical glucometer is better, you need to consider 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 sugar level 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 per year.
Dangerous combination
When choosing which meter is the best, you should remember that taking certain substances can cause it to malfunction. Models that use the GDH-PQQ test strip technology sometimes give dangerous (and potentially fatal) false readings. Therefore, in case of any questions or problems, you should always consult your doctor.
Qualities of a good home blood glucose meter
What, according to user reviews, is the most important characteristic of a blood sugar meter? Accuracy. Some clinical studies suggest that device compliance with standards does not mean that it will give true readings in the real world. So which meter is better? He must have a good reputation for accurate test results in clinical trials, independent tests, and among consumers.
Ease of use. When deciding which glucometer is best to choose, you need to consider that simple devices are likely to 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. For people with visual impairments, a talking blood glucose meter will greatly simplify the analysis.
No need for additional settings. If the user does not need to recode his device each time he opens a new packet of test strips, entering new codes manually or using a key or chip, this means eliminating another possibility of making an error. However, some owners claim that they are used to coding and are not against it.
Small sample volume. The less blood a glucometer requires for each test, the less painful it is to use, and the less likely it is to mistake and spoil the test strip.
Alternative blood sampling sites. The use of other parts of the body gives you the opportunity to relax sensitive fingertips. Some blood glucose meters allow you to take blood from your arms, legs, or stomach. However, there are situations when this is not worth doing (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 can store hundreds or thousands of readings with date and time stamps, helping to keep track of the medical history and verify the reliability of the tests.
Averaging and tagging functions. Most blood glucose monitors are capable of calculating average readings over a 7, 14 or 30-day period. Some models also allow you to indicate whether tests were performed before or after meals, and to add custom notes useful for tracking changes in sugar levels.
Data transfer. Glucometers 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 meter is best for your home, the cost of supplies is critical. Test strips are the most expensive component of the device. Their prices can vary significantly. Some manufacturers of expensive test strips offer assistance programs that help reduce costs.
What should i know about?
Cases of death of patients due to incorrect readings of glucometers and test strips with GDH-PQQ (glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinolinequinone) are known. These people took sugar-containing medications - mostly a dialysis solution. The meter showed a high blood glucose level, although in fact it was deadly low.
This only happened with people using sugar-containing therapy, and only with GDH-PQQ stripe devices that were unable 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 drugs affect the results of a blood test.
In addition, regulators recommend against using GDH-PQQ test strips if any of the following products enter the body:
- icodextrin solution for peritoneal dialysis;
- some immunoglobulins;
- adhesive solutions containing icodextrin;
- radio immunotherapeutic agent Bexxar;
- any product that contains maltose, galactose or xylose, or products that the body breaks down to form these monosaccharides.
Simplicity is the norm
When it comes to which glucometer is better and more accurate, the number of steps in the blood test is important. The fewer they are, the less chance of errors. Thus, the best glucometers are devices that make the process of checking sugar levels as reliable as possible. When using them, it is enough to insert a test strip, pierce a finger, apply blood and read the result.
The tiny FreeStyle Freedom Lite (worth about 1,400 rubles) is no larger than a pack of chewing gum. For the analysis, he needs only 0.3 μl of blood. Users like it because, they said, it makes the testing process much less painful and intimidating. They also approve of the sound signal after applying a sufficient amount of blood, and if this did not work on the first try, then 60 seconds to add more. After that, the result appears after about 5 seconds. There is no need for manual coding when a new set of test strips is used, which helps reduce possible errors.
What is much more important than comfort and convenient functions is the accuracy of the device. FreeStyle Freedom Lite analysis results 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 have been using it for years and have not experienced any problems, remaining confident in its effectiveness and reliability. "Complaints" of users on this model are associated only with the lack of test strips in the kit, which must be purchased separately, and with a scarifier.
Other features that make FreeStyle Freedom Lite so popular are its simple two-button controls, the ability to store up to 400 readings and calculate average values that help determine patterns of changes in blood glucose over time, extra-large numbers on the display and a port that allows you to download data to a Windows or OS X computer using AutoS Assist. The software compiles several reports, including information on counter settings, average values, daily statistics and reports on specific measurements.
The meter uses quite expensive FreeStyle Lite test strips starting at 1,500 rubles. for 50 pieces.
Accu-Chek Aviva Plus
If the FreeStyle test strips or glucometers seem too small, then it is worth considering the option of acquiring Accu-Chek Aviva Plus at a price of about 2.2 thousand rubles, which also received a lot of praise for the ease of operation. He has more strips than others, and they, like the device itself, are so convenient that they received the Ease of Use award from the Arthritis Foundation (USA). This is the answer to the question which meter is best for older people. Moreover, accidental contact with the surface of the strip does not lead to distortion of the results and its damage.
Accu-Chek Aviva Plus is also valued for its accuracy, confirmed by many clinical trials and rigorous comparative analyzes of the Diabetes Technology Society, which involved more than 1000 devices. A reasonable blood volume of 0.6 μl is required for its operation, which is approximately 2 times more than for FreeStyle Freedom Lite. The result also appears after 5 seconds.
So anyway, which meter is better? 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. Perhaps the device received a very high rating only for the consistent reliability of the results, although the rest of the model is inferior to competing devices.
Nevertheless, Aviva Plus offers an impressive range of functions, including a memory for 500 readings, 4 customizable warnings, markers of results made before and after meals, and the ability to calculate average values. The meter does not need to be re-encoded 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. You can use the meter without it. You can manage, track, analyze and share data with Accu-Chek, which comes 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 ease of operation, then the OneTouch Ultra Mini option may 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 does not have a backlight, and the owners are not enthusiastic about the fact that a sufficiently large blood sampling 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 shaking hands complain that it is difficult to work with the device. This should be considered for those who choose which meter is best for an elderly person. Nevertheless, if you need a simple, functional and portable device, then this model is a good option.
Cheap blood glucose meters
It may be tempting to judge a device for measuring blood sugar only at its original cost. But, given that glucose needs to be checked 4 times a day, more than 100 test strips per month may be needed. The true value of the device is best measured by the cost of them. Some large manufacturers even give out their blood glucose meters for free, because the cost of their production is offset by sales of supplies.
Nevertheless, devices with minimal annual operating costs, as a rule, are inexpensive. But which meter is better? The most popular is the Bayer Contour Next, which costs about 900 rubles. Bayer was bought 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 that not only successfully passed clinical trials, but also surpassed professional monitors. Contour Next is the only device that in 2 out of 3 series of tests showed 100% compliance and in 1 - 99%. This is a good home blood glucose meter! But that is not all.
The device does not require transcoding, can take blood from almost any angle and allows you to add it to the test strip, if for the first time it was not enough. The meter requires 0.6 μl of blood and allows the palm to be used as an alternative sampling site.
Other popular features are the ability to add notes 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 registration in the Glucofacts Deluxe program.
Bayer Contour test strips are inexpensive, and Bayer / Ascencia offers a kit that can save even more. Contour Next Kit worth about 2.3 thousand rubles. includes the device itself, 50 strips, 100 scarifiers, 100 cotton swabs with alcohol and a piercing device. This is a strong argument for those who choose which home blood glucose meter is good and which is not.
FreeStyle Precision NEO
The closest competitor to Contour Next is FreeStyle Precision NEO. Despite the fact that the meter requires 0.6 μl of blood (2 times more than other FreeStyle models) and does not have a backlit screen, it works, which is of the greatest importance, providing excellent accuracy and repeatability.
FreeStyle Precision NEO is equipped with a high-contrast display with large numbers, it can store up to 1000 readings and displays trend indicators that allow you to detect periods when blood glucose levels rise or fall. Most users are happy with this meter because it is simple, understandable, and effective. Test results can be downloaded to the LibreView web application, but many ignore this feature.
It is not necessary to reconfigure the device for each new box of FreeStyle Precision NEO strips, but each of them needs to be unpacked separately, which is what most oppose. There are complaints about erratic readings or a sudden shutdown of the device.
ReliOn Confirm
A small and affordable glucometer is also ReliOn Confirm (about 900 rubles). According to user reviews, 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 glucometers.
ReliOn Confirm functions are quite simple: storing the date and time of the analysis, calculating the average values and marking the results obtained before and after meals. Owners like reliability and affordable functionality, ease of carrying, and a small volume of a blood sample equal to 0.3 μl. If your fingers hurt, then the device allows you to use your palm. You can also download data to a PC or smart device.
However, ReliOn Confirm does not come with a bottle of control solution that allows you to check the accuracy of the instrument. The manufacturer provides it for free, but users are often disappointed that they have to wait for its delivery.
Satellite glucose meters: which is better?
These Russian-made devices cost from 900 to 1400 rubles. The most modern, fast and expensive is the satellite express model.The device requires a 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 stripes, a piercing pen, 25 scarifiers, a control strip, a case, a manual and a warranty card. Warranty period - 5 years.