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Living well with Diabetes (Series 2/6) – Choosing a Blood Glucose Monitor

Self-monitoring of blood glucose is vital in the management of diabetes. People with diabetes are advised to keep their blood glucose level as close as possible to normal at all times to prevent cardiovascular disease and other complications such as kidney failure, blindness and foot infections.

A blood glucose monitor is essential for diabetes self-care, enabling people with diabetes to keep track of their blood glucose level, which is subject to change in response to diet, exercise, medication, stress and illness. The result of the blood glucose test helps them to make changes in these factors for better blood glucose control.

For the blood glucose test, most blood glucose monitors require a blood sample to be placed on the test strip. The monitor then reads the chemical changes in the test strip, and reports the result.

For people with diabetes, getting a blood glucose monitor is a wise choice. There are many blood glucose monitors available on the market. Besides the difference in pricing, blood glucose monitors also vary in term of their technology, even though these monitors are from the same class, namely the biosensor system. As purchasing a blood glucose monitor is a one-time investment, it is advisable to consider other important factors rather than just relying on the price. Here are some tips and questions to help you choose a blood glucose monitor.

Does it provide accurate and reliable results?

Accuracy and reliability top the criteria list of selecting a blood glucose monitor. False low or high readings can lead to inappropriate treatment. False high readings can lead to overtreatment, which can cause a low blood condition called hypoglycemia. Severe hypoglycemia can cause death.

The accuracy of the test depends on the technology of the glucose monitoring system and the technology of the test strips. Blood glucose monitors using a higher voltage can cause false high results. Glucose monitoring systems that are unable to distinguish between glucose and maltose can also cause false high results. This is an important feature to note in choosing a blood glucose monitor as maltose is used in some drugs.

A glucose monitoring system, preferably one that uses GDH-NAD (glucose dehydrogenase & nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) enzyme system, is a better choice as it is not affected by the presence of alternative sugars like maltose and it also screens out interference from other substances such as Vitamin C and paracetamol that can affect your blood glucose results.

Does it use quality test strip technology?

Some blood glucose monitors may give falsely low or high results when insufficient blood is applied. This also leads to wasted test strips. Quality test strip technology can help to minimise inaccurate results and repeated tests due to insufficient blood application as it only enables the test to begin when enough blood is added and only requires a small blood sample.

On the quality of the test strips, those that are individually packed offer better stability and protection against heat and humidity. Test strips that are subjected to exposure could cause false readings.

Is it easy for everyday use?

A blood glucose monitor that is easy to use offers great convenience for many users, especially for children who are just learning to test their blood.

Other conveniences include:

• easy application of blood sample on test strip
• small blood volume required (< 1 uL)
• quick results with large display numbers for easy reading
• compact, lightweight and durable design
• memory recall with time and date (> 100 memory)
• 7-, 14-, and 30-day test averages

A blood glucose monitor that fits comfortably in the palm of the hand enables users to take it everywhere, hence monitoring of blood glucose is not just limited to use at home.

Does it offer the extra benefit of blood ketone testing for emergency use?

People with type 1 diabetes should consider getting a blood glucose monitor with blood ketone testing. Compared to urine ketone testing, blood ketone testing gives fast reliable information and is recommended over urine testing.

The presence of ketones indicates a severe lack of insulin and is a potential health emergency. Severe cases, of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can cause coma, permanent brain damage and even death. Hence, early detection of DKA enables one to seek professional help soon and to prevent serious health complications. It is advisable for people with type 1 diabetes to check for ketones when they are ill. Often, the symptoms for DKA are mistaken for illness, as in the case of flu.

Is it viable for long-term use?

As a blood glucose monitor is a one-time investment for most people, it is advisable to get one from a reputable company that comes with a lifetime warranty. Other concerns for long-term use include:

• Does it require a lot of maintenance?
• Does the company provide a free upgrade if the product is to be withdrawn from market?
• Are the test strips easily available?

Optium Xceed Meter

For more information about Xceed meter, click here or please contact our Customer Service at 1800-2722881

This article is intended for reference and information purposes only. Please consult your doctor for more information on diabetes mellitus and interpretation of blood glucose results.

This article is the second in a series of six.

Missed out on LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES series? Visit our Diabetes Care's section. More »

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