Choosing a Glucometer for Blood Testing

[Guest guest]

Chrissy,

You wrote, " I understand that I will be a diabetic for some time

after the procedure, but it should be temporary. Monitoring will be

the key. I think I will get one of those monitors that keep a log

of the results. I have issues with compliancy as well....LOL. "

I would want to be checking my blood sugars before surgery to

establish a good baseline prior to having my pancreas removed. I

wouldn't wait until after surgery to start. I feel most certain that

this would be covered by insurance now, based on the new criteria

for medicare and pre-diabetes.

Almost every glucometers maintains a record of the results. It

isn't

necessary to get one that does a lot of graphs, etc. As I found out

the websites of the manufacturer for most of the glucometers have

software that you can download and take to your doctor, etc. The

only thing you want to make sure is that it has an available cable

to download the data from the glucometer to the computer. There is

no way I would ever sit down and enter the data by myself. I never

wrote it in my book; I doubt I would type in on a keyboard. There

are some facts that I just have to accept, even if I am working to

change such character flaws.

I suggest you visit the websites for the manufacturers. They all

describe the glucometers and many have animation. The key for me was

(1) The number of tests available in the memory.

(2) The number of seconds to obtain a reading

(3) Ability to enter additional information, at least insulin.

Check out these sites:

The OneTouch®UltraSmart™ Blood Glucose Monitoring system.

http://www.lifescan.com

Freestyle Flash Blood Glucose Monitoring System

http://www.therasense.com/freestylemeter/index.asp

AccuChek Advantage Meter.

http://www.accu-chek.com/products/index.jsp?ad=1

Glucometer DEX Diabetes Care System

http://www.ascensia.com/us/

http://www.bayerdiag.com/products_bycategory.cfm?catid=8

BD Logic Blood Glucose Monitor

http://www.bddiabetes.com/us/

Precision Extra Blood Glucose Monitor

http://www.abbott.com/diabetes/diabetes.cfm

http://www.medisense.com/

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International