Your loved ones have diabetes & you want to know,Which is the best Glucometer to use for blood glucose monitoring in 2020? Let me help you with this question.
We will do in depth analysis on what are important criteria before buying a glucometer or a blood glucose monitoring device in india or anywhere else in the world in 2020.
Then we will decide which product fits best for us,we will know which is the best glucometer or a blood glucose monitoring device in India 2020.
Diabetes mellitus is a fast growing lifestyle disorders affecting every household in India and as a matter of fact even the world.
We all have someone in our family suffering from diabetes mellitus.
We doctors always advice our patients that Diabetes needs to be kept under control with healthy lifestyle and good eating habits.
Endocrine specialists in the most reputed and esteemed colleges ask their patients to monitor their blood glucose in the;-
- morning
- One hour Before meals
- One hour after meals
- Before sleeping
Then the first question that arises, to the patient and the family is, Which is the best Glucometer to use for blood glucose monitoring?
Let me answer this question for you, as I am a mbbs pass out registered medical doctor in India who has spent last 1 year taking blood glucose monitoring of different kinds of patients in different specialties as a intern in most hectic government medical college in India.
Before that lets know some basics about Glucometer or blood glucose monitoring devices.
What is a Glucometer and how to use it?
Blood Glucose Monitors or Glucometers are medical aids that allow you to measure the blood glucose levels in your body.
They have 3 parts-
- Lancet or needle to prick tip of your finger and draw blood.
- Disposable test strips to which the blood drop is to be applied.
- Glucometer which will record your blood sugar levels.
Are this readings 100% accurate?
No, from my experience no this readings are not accurate. Then you will ask me why am I asking you to spend your hard earned money on something that is not 100% accurate?
Well, my dear friend, most of our patients are at home and when admitted obviously you must have seen doctors strictly maintaining a blood glucose chart.
Same way at home you don’t have access to laboratory settings and so the most affordable, feasible and easy method for blood glucose monitoring left with us is Glucometer.
Diabetics need to maintain their blood glucose charts and mention their readings-
- In the morning
- One hour Before meals
- One hour after meals
- Before sleeping
And show it to your doctor on the next visit.
Criteria for Best Glucometer/blood glucose monitor in India 2020.
Patients are free to buy glucometer of their choice based on their criteria and personal choice of liking, but this article is for helping you with some criteria or features I would lookout for while buying Best Glucometer/blood glucose monitor in India or for that matter any part of world.
Accuracy
To be honest no glucometer is 100% accurate,but we need to use most accurate glucometer.
On a average glucometer reading and actual laboratory readings have difference of 10-15 units.
Anything more then that on different occasions many times should be bad.
Ease of use.
This is second most important according to me as most diabetics are older people and they tend to have difficulty using or learning complicated Glucometers, their life is difficult enough lets make it simple and easy I say!
Keeping a record of past readings/Memory.
Some Glucometers have a memory unit built-in and they keep a track or record of your past blood glucose readings taken by you.
This feature is very useful for people who are not good at keeping records and for old individuals who wont have to maintain records as the glucometer will do it for them.
(We doctors and interns especially find it very useful.I remember many occasions where we had to take blood glucose readings of 3-4 wards at once and on many occasions we by mistake left our glucose monitoring list at patient bed or somewhere else, not because of our ignorance, but because we doctors are human too, and after 36 hours of continuous hard work and without sleep, monitoring blood pressure and glucose of so many patients it does take a toll on you. And you lose track of where you kept your keys, phone , pen and so on.
If the list gets misplaced then well your screwed as you have to take all readings again. This is where the memory of glucometer helps and TaDa you have your list. )
This feature in Glucometer is a blessing In disguise.
Cost
Considering the fact that india and most of countries in the world are developing at fast rate and buying power of people has increased quite significantly, a small glucometer for betterment of yourself and your loved ones is not such a big deal I feel.
But for people who cant afford a decent livelihood cost does play a major role in buying anything, so cost is a factor to be considered while buying glucometer.
Size and portability.
Something that is small and that fits in hand easily is very easy to use as well as it becomes pocket friendly.
Patients should be able to carry their glucometers when they go for trips and tours.(Mind it! Diabetes as a disease can be controlled and we shouldn’t let it come in between our Happiness. And diabetics have full right to enjoy their life and Explore the world as any other individual.)
Easy readability of readings.
Most diabetics tend to have weak eyesight, if not for diabetes, age does play a factor while using Glucometers with small calibrations or small readings.
Check the glucometer, whether it is working, whether the text or readings are easy to read and then only buy it.
Smart features or alerts.
Nowadays various types of glucometers are available with softwares that alert high or low glucose readings, time to take a reading and many more things.
They do come very handy.
What are the Common reasons for getting wrong readings?
Glucometer error-
It is always present and is variable.Companies try to keep it as little as possible.
Human error-
It is most common,learning how to use glucometer is very important and you should consult your nearby doctor for knowing correct way to use glucometer.
Glucometers have a instructions book in the box in which they mention the types of error and reason for that error, do go through it to know the exact reason for the error.
(as a doctor most common error I used to get was, very little blood drop size, especially in old people with low plasma or hard fingertip skin, it was difficult to prick and get sufficient blood for glucometer reading.)
Dirty fingertips-
If there is food, dirt or the fingertip is soiled then your bound to get false reading.
It is advisable to clean your fingertip before pricking your finger.
Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, so you are free to buy Glucometer of your choice.But since you’re here, let me tell you which is the best glucometer according to me using my experience in medical field, reviews or feedback from patients and reviews of people available online.
Best glucometer according to us in ascending order-
What we liked about the product-
- 0.5µl blood sample required.
- Pack of 50 test strips.
- Comes at very low prices.
- Lifetime warranty services.
- Accurate and ergonomic design.
- Beeper alert system present
- Strips are cheaper than others
What we don’t like in the product-
- Design quality can be improved.
- plastic is cheap and there are sharp edges.
What we liked about the product-
- It has Accurate blood glucose measures: The Accu-Chek Active Glucometer most accurate systems and it fulfills ISO 15197:2013 standards of accuracy.
- It makes the blood glucose monitoring process easy.
- coding is not required
- Two-button handling: it has only two buttons to operate, Accu-Chek Active is easy to handle device.
- Visual double-checking: To provide accurate blood glucose measurement, Accu-Chek provides color coding, you can Match colour code to assure results accuracy.
- re-dosing option: If you apply insufficient amount of blood, then device gives you approx 10 sec time to re-dose it.
- Pre & post-meal markers: Accu-Chek Active gives you a pre & post-meal flagging to differentiate between the measured glucose level before and after meal.
- Post-prandial reminder is given by the device: Accu-Chek Active gives you a audio & visual post-prandial reminder which basically reminds you to test 2 hour after eating.
- Measuring interval : 10-600 mg/dL
- MEMORY : device provides 500 test results
- View test avg of up to 90 days: test results from the last 7 / 14 / 30 or even 90 days can be seen.
- Accu-Chek Active gives USB interface for data transfer. transferring saved test results to a computer is possible.
What we didn’t like-
- Some people had problems with the readings and showed doubt that the error on device is significantly high.
What we liked about the product:
- GDH-FAD Strip: it avoids interference from blood oxygen variation, It also prevents galactose and maltose interference in blood samples.
- Ketone Alert: Dr Trust (USA) The device warns you if your ketones level reaches over 13 mol/L, which may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
- 3 Modes: General mode, AC mode, PC mode
- Strip Ejection Button Function: Dr Trust Glucometer you can dispose the strip without touching it thus avoiding any spread of contagious diseases.
- Smiley indicators which are easy to read.
- Completely automatic
- Reminder Alarm available
- Backlit lcd makes the device easy to read.
- Records 1000 memory
- Alternate site testing available
- No coding required
What we don’t like:
- The settings and features might be difficult and confusing for some.
- As there are only 2 buttons it is tedious to toggle through different settings.
- The strips are slightly expensive.
What we liked about the product-
- It is easy to personalise according to the individuals preference.
- Your averages (7/30/90 days) are seen on the meter.
- Hassle free blood transfer to strip: Accu-Chek Instant S easy-edge test strip absorbs blood from patients finger from any edge.
- Set up is not required. just insert the strip, prick the finger ,apply blood on the strip and instant results are shown.
- USB transfer available: data can be uploaded to Accu-Chek Connect Online portal (USB)
- 10, 25, and 50 vials options are available.
- Results shown in less than 4 seconds
What we didn’t like about the product;
- Patients had some issues with accuracy of results.
What we like about the product:
- colour sure technology and audio signals
- Easy to use and grip.
- Sound alert system.
- No Coding required.
- Compact and slim design.
What we don’t like
- Required amount of blood (1 µl) other glucometer uses 0.05µl.
- No storage memory function
- Accuracy less compared to others
What we liked about the product;
- Smart light feature: provides Alerts to patients on critical high and critical low blood glucose levels.
- Contour diabetes app: connects via bluetooth technology- helps to set reminder
- Has 5 lancets and 25 strips.
- Fast glucometer with 5 sec countdown.
- 800 test results memory available.
What we didn’t like about the product;
- High cost of strips
- Web registration for life time warranty had no response many times.
Is using a lancing pen better than normal lancet?
There is nothing great in using a pen device,only advantage it has on traditional lancet is that that the prick is almost painless and therefore it is advisable to be used while pricking children having type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Smart Care Adjustable Lancing Device, 5 Adjustable Depths
- This is just something I feel is useful while pricking children and old people as the prick could be painful and scary to them.
- This pen device has provides almost painless pricks.
- The pen itself is easy to grip.
- Super fine tips and you don’t have to prick deep to draw blood.
Conclusion on best glucometer
So whats the final verdict?
Well the choice of product totally depends on you, my job was to inform and make you aware of choices available to you.
We went through many products based on actual patient reviews and reviews available online and i feel Dr. morepen and accu chek were both equally good and they did the job while being easy to use and cost effective.
My advice to all diabetics,
Be aware about your body and be aware of what your putting in your body.Take care of your body, do exercise , eat healthy food, most importantly stay away from stress and tension, try to surround yourself with happiness and small joys of life.
Diabetes is lifestyle disorder but it doesn’t have to dictate your life.We all can live happily by adopting good practices.
more articles on Diabetes-treatment of diabetes mellitus-insulin types,how to use insulin
must read- How to prevent diabetes mellitus?15 ways to stop diabetes.