Blood glucose meter


Blood glucose monitors help diabetics to keep track of their blood glucose levels wherever and whenever they want. The results allow them to make appropriate medical and lifestyle choices, also it is helpful to avoid hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia episodes.
Glucose monitor overview
Blood glucose monitors help diabetics to keep track of their blood glucose levels wherever and whenever they want. The results allow them to make appropriate medical and lifestyle choices, also it is helpful to avoid hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia episodes.
It can also be called as; blood glucose monitor, glucometer, glucose meters, glucose monitors, diabetes monitor, diabetic meter, blood glucose monitoring system, home glucose monitor.
Glucose monitor
The most common way to check glucose levels involves pricking a fingertip with an automatic lancet (lancing device - Lancet is a small instrument for pricking the skin with a quick-action fine needle.) to obtain a blood sample and placed on a disposable test strip then using a glucose meter to measure the blood sample’s glucose level.
How to choosing a Glucos monitor
Consider the following when choosing glucose meter

  • Volume of blood needed for a test, 
  • Testing speed, Instrument size, 
  • Option to store test results in memory, 
  • Meter cost, 
  • Test strips cost
Glucose Monitor usage procedure
The following are the general instructions for usage of a glucose meter:

  • First, set out your glucometer, a test strip, a lancet and an alcohol prep pad.
  • Wash your hands to prevent infection.  Decide where you are going to obtain the blood from, usually a finger. Some of the newer monitors let you use your forearm or another less sensitive place.
  • Turn on the glucosemeter and place a test strip in the machine when the machine is ready. If coding is required then enter the code. Watch the indicator for placing the blood to the strip.
  • Make sure your hand is dry and wipe the area you've selected with alcohol pad and wait until the alcohol evaporates.
  • Pierce your finger tip on the soft, fleshy pad and obtain a drop of blood. Place the drop of blood on or at the side of the strip.
  • The glucose monitor will take a few moments to calculate the blood sugar reading.
  • You may use the alcohol pad to blot the site where you drew the blood if it is still bleeding.
Glucose meters and the strips, both have instructions for use, read carefully these instructions for proper use and accurate reading.
Glucose monitor - Cleaning & maintenance
Every monitors need to be taken care of in order to function properly. Some need more cleaning and maintenance than others, and this may be another factor to consider in choosing a monitor. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding proper care of your monitor. This is important because a monitor may provide inaccurate readings if it is dirty, old, or stored at extreme temperatures.

Non-coded & Plasma glucose monitor
Confirm the glucose monitor is non-coded (now a day’s all the monitors available are non-coded still confirm) and confirm the readings are in plasma glucose (some glucose monitor gives blood glucose value instead of plasma glucose).

Glucose levels in plasma (one of the components of blood) are generally 10%–15% higher than glucose measurements in whole blood (and even more after eating).

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