Best glucose meter for diabetes and blood sugar monitoring
Did you know that monitoring your metrics can help you improve your overall well-being? Those who have to manage diabetes should monitor their glucose closely because they use this measure to assess their health. Monitoring your blood sugar levels is important because it allows you to see how your body reacts to different things, whether that’s food like chocolate, or even something as simple as a slice of toast. Whether you need to manage your blood sugar levels due to a medical condition or just want to see how certain foods and activities affect your blood levels, the right glucose monitor can make it easier to keep everything under control.
Finding the best glucose monitor for you can be overwhelming due to the number of factors and choices. It’s a crowded market, which is good because you’re likely to find a product that suits your needs well, and bad because the choices can be confusing. You can opt for simple monitors that report your blood glucose levels and provide accurate results, or if you want to go a step further, you can opt for one of the options that have some high-tech features, such as Bluetooth capabilities, so you can monitor the results. sending your blood sample directly to your phone. Whatever your reason for using a glucose meter, finding a good one is important. Even though you may not need one, we’re in the holiday season now, and these can make a thoughtful gift for someone who already has everything.
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There are other factors to consider when purchasing a glucose testing kit. The cost of a test strip, the quality of the lancing device, how much blood the meter needs for an accurate reading and whether it provides a quick result.
I interviewed two doctors to get their insights on what to look for when purchasing a glucose meter. The five blood sugar meters below have been compiled based on the doctors’ choices and are taken from bestseller lists and online reviews. We update this list periodically.
As always, consult your doctor before purchasing a blood glucose meter. They can help you determine which is the best glucose meter for your medical needs.
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The Freestyle Libre is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that does not require a finger prick. It has a thin sensor that you place under the skin (it’s not painful) and wear all day. You then scan the sensor with the device to get your glucose reading.
“For people interested in deeper insights into their glucose levels, I will often recommend the Freestyle Libre for continuous glucose monitoring,” says Dr. Nate Favini, chief medical officer of Come on. “By placing a sensor on your arm you can continuously monitor your glucose levels throughout the day and develop your understanding of what causes your sugar levels to go up and down. People will often be surprised that foods they thought were good for their glucose levels, causing spikes in their sugar levels. Although continuous glucose monitors are more expensive, they can help you understand which types of food and exercise are best for you.
Keep in mind that even if you use a CGM, you may still need to take blood glucose measurements with a fingerstick meter. You may also qualify for a free trial of the Freestyle Libre CGMs, allowing you to experience them at no cost.
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Dr. Josh Emdur, medical director of SteadyMDrecommends the Dexcom G6, a CGM for patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. “I find continuous glucose monitoring to be a valuable tool in the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Emdur. “CGM data provides actionable insights to help patients monitor their glycemic response to dietary choices and activity levels.”
The Dexcom G6 is similar to the Freestyle Libre in that it continuously monitors glucose levels in your body via a small sensor inserted into the skin, but you don’t need to scan to measure glucose levels. Your reading is sent wirelessly to the Dexcom handheld device, or you can pair with your smartphone or Apple Watch via an app.
The price may vary depending on the insurance.
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The Contour Next One blood glucose meter is a bestseller on Walmart.com. It’s also budget-friendly: less than $35 for the test kit. The blood sugar meter is easy to use and displays a 5-second reading, and it connects to the Contour Diabetes app via Bluetooth to keep a log of your readings and share them with your doctor.
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The ReliOn Prime is one of the most affordable options for a blood glucose meter. Please note that you still have to purchase the strips separately. At Walmart they cost $14 for a box of 50 strips. The ReliOn stores up to 250 blood sugar readings so you can go back and view previous readings, but there’s no way to pair a smartphone or app. If you want a simple meter that allows you to test multiple times a day, this is a solid option.
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The Care Touch Blood Glucose System is the best-selling blood glucose meter on Amazon. The kit is a great value and for $30 you get everything you need to test your blood sugar levels. The kit contains the Care Touch meter, a lancing device, lancets, test strips and a carrying case. After you test your blood sugar, you get results in five seconds, and the meter stores up to 300 readings so you can monitor them over time. If you’ve never used a meter before, this kit is ideal to get you started at an affordable price.
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