Which meter?
in [UK Diabetes]
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From: David WE Roberts on 15 Apr 2008 14:23 Hi, I spent an interesting ten minutes in the chemists (Lloyd's Pharmacy) waiting for my next batch of statins, looking through all the different glucose testers on offer. Interesting that they had so many (am I in diabetic city?) but it did raise the question of which one to get. Is there the equivalent of a "Which?" test on meters, and a rating on value for money and long term reliability? Equally, is there any guidance on the self mutilation devices for drawing blood? Some offered download to a PC -= is there any software to process the results in a meaningful way? Not top of my list for Boys Toys, but I guess I'll have to go there soon. Cheers Dave R
From: Nicky on 15 Apr 2008 17:55 On Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:23:44 +0100, David WE Roberts <nospam(a)talk21.com> wrote: >Hi, > >I spent an interesting ten minutes in the chemists (Lloyd's >Pharmacy) waiting for my next batch of statins, looking through all the >different glucose testers on offer. A lot of Lloyds do free tests. Might be interesting to wander in there, say an hour after breakfast? Lie, and tell them you're fasting, that keeps their procedures happy. >Is there the equivalent of a "Which?" test on meters, and a rating on >value for money and long term reliability? IMO, they're pretty well much of a muchness. A big consideration ought to be which strips your surgery prescribes, because they cost an arm and a leg. > >Equally, is there any guidance on the self mutilation devices for drawing >blood? There, I have a definite favourite - the Accuchek Softclix. You used to be able to buy it separately from the meter, but I think they've stopped that, alas. A close second is the teeny-tiny stabber that came with my One-Touch mini. OTOH, the full-size One-Touch stabber is pretty brutal in comparison. Nicky. T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid D&E, 100ug thyroxine Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25
From: Andy Hall on 15 Apr 2008 18:32 On 2008-04-15 19:23:44 +0100, David WE Roberts <nospam(a)talk21.com> said: > Hi, > > I spent an interesting ten minutes in the chemists (Lloyd's > Pharmacy) waiting for my next batch of statins, looking through all the > different glucose testers on offer. > > Interesting that they had so many (am I in diabetic city?) but it did > raise the question of which one to get. > > Is there the equivalent of a "Which?" test on meters, and a rating on > value for money and long term reliability? > > Equally, is there any guidance on the self mutilation devices for drawing > blood? > > Some offered download to a PC -= is there any software to process the > results in a meaningful way? > > Not top of my list for Boys Toys, but I guess I'll have to go there soon. > > Cheers > > Dave R Lifescan OneTouch UltraSmart. This can have a USB cable and some reasonable software for recording results if you wish, graphng and printing reports. Although the cable is supposed to be a spearately charged item, I called the manufaturer and they sent one FoC. I've had one of these for a couple of years and it's been fine. The manufactuer will send free batteries as well. Long term reliability in terms of "will it break?" is irrelevant. The manufacturers will fall over themselves to replace it for nothing or next to nothing for the same reason that razors are cheap to buy.
From: DaveT on 15 Apr 2008 19:41 On Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:23:44 +0100, David WE Roberts wrote: > Hi, > > I spent an interesting ten minutes in the chemists (Lloyd's Pharmacy) > waiting for my next batch of statins, looking through all the different > glucose testers on offer. > > Interesting that they had so many (am I in diabetic city?) but it did > raise the question of which one to get. > > Is there the equivalent of a "Which?" test on meters, and a rating on > value for money and long term reliability? > They all do the same job equally well - give a guide to your BG level. > Equally, is there any guidance on the self mutilation devices for > drawing blood? > > Some offered download to a PC -= is there any software to process the > results in a meaningful way? > The Accu-Chek soft touch is the gentlest. > Not top of my list for Boys Toys, but I guess I'll have to go there > soon. > > Cheers > > Dave R If you find you have to pay for your strips have a word with your usual chemist and find the cheapest and get the meter that uses them. Be aware you, as a diabetic do not pay VAT on meters and the chemist should explain the system to you if have a word with him/her and not just a sales girl. If you are lucky and your doctor gives you scripts for the strips just get whatever one you fancy many have different quirks to them memory logs, alarms or size. Personally I now use the Freestyle Mini, very small, screen lights up with an extra led that shines on your finger as you stab it, has 3 alarms and has the time and date showing even when the meter is off. They are making the Freestyle Lite now so I might have to change before long :( The main suppliers- http://www.lifescan.com/products http://www.accu-chek.co.uk/gb/ http://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/products/ If you have a browse most of them have their instruction manuals for download in .pdf format. -- DaveT T1 Dx 1955 (aged 9) Basal Hypurin Beef Lente Bolus Lispro
From: Tiger_Lily on 16 Apr 2008 00:27
David WE Roberts wrote: > Hi, > > I spent an interesting ten minutes in the chemists (Lloyd's > Pharmacy) waiting for my next batch of statins, looking through all the > different glucose testers on offer. > > Interesting that they had so many (am I in diabetic city?) but it did > raise the question of which one to get. > > Is there the equivalent of a "Which?" test on meters, and a rating on > value for money and long term reliability? > > Equally, is there any guidance on the self mutilation devices for drawing > blood? > > Some offered download to a PC -= is there any software to process the > results in a meaningful way? > > Not top of my list for Boys Toys, but I guess I'll have to go there soon. > > Cheers > > Dave R i LOVE the LifeScan One Touch Ultra 2 meter that allows me to mark my meals pre or post meal readings........... the Ultra Smart does a LOT more, but i haven't spent the time to learn it, and it looks like i'm not going to either :) i use the LifeScan software to download my bg results to, and to print out graphs of my bg (how many times on target, how many times too low, how many times too high) i have tested the Ultra 2 meter to a lab fasting bg test (it has to be fasting because the bg in our veins changes at a different speed than the bg in our capilliaries), and the Ultra 2 has been POINT 1 (0.1) variance from the lab results................ even LifeScan said that's highly unusual, but i consistently (every 3 mo) get tests like this i called Roche on their 800 number and asked them for their Multi-Clix lancer device, and then i had to buy a life time supply of the drums to fit into the Multi-Clix, but they are cheap, so i didn't worry i would put the LifeScan SoftTouch Lancing device as #2 on my list, behind the Multi-Clix good luck on your adventure! and yes, it's worth $30 to be able to download your bg results to your computer :) kate |