Glucose Meter Reviews - Need a New Meter - Diabetes Message Board

justjake · 09-13-2003, 03:54 PM

I'm in the market for a new glucose meter. Does anyone know of a site with in-depth reviews? Or, what is your experience with one that was purchased in the last year?

Thanks for your help,

Jake

dwpavlik · 09-13-2003, 04:56 PM

My strongest recommendation is to stay with a whole blood, meter. The plasma meters read from 25 to 40 mg/dsl off from the true blood sugar readings. This has been my experience in the past year. If they have changed recently then the newest plasma might be ok. But my profile from lifescan is the most accurate meter I have found on the market. If you are looking for accuracy, this would be the better meter.
Don

SamQKitty · 09-13-2003, 07:01 PM

I also use the One Touch Ultra, and like its speed and the small amount of blood you need. I don't bother using it on my arm. One caveat: if you suspect that your blood glucose is low, DO NOT test in the arm, because it takes longer for the glucose levels in the arm to come down (compared to the fingertips), so you could test okay, but actually be low. If you're getting symptoms of low blood glucose, use a fingertip instead. Also, if your test in the arm reads anything below 80, you should double check with a finger-stick.

pumpkinpatch73 · 09-14-2003, 10:38 AM

Thought I'd put my two cents in on this.....

If you currently have a meter that is no longer working, try calling the manufacturer and discussing this with them. I had an older model Accu-Check and it was giving me VERY low readings (not correct) and when I discussed that with them, they sent me out a brand new monitor for free.

Good luck!

dwpavlik · 09-14-2003, 11:01 AM

Hello pumpkinpatch73

Does that mean that if I called the manufacture of my plasma meter makers that they will give me new ones to replace the ones that I have which give me incorrect readings? I would be glad to go to a faster meter and smaller one if it can be more accurate. I have never had a plasma meter read anywhere near correct compared to my whole blood meters. Thisis why I am skeptical. They all say they are within 40mg/dsl correct. This is far too inaccurate for my tight control methods. At 100, 40mg/dsl lower would mean I would need to eat. If it were higher I would take insulin.
Don

thanks for the input