Which meter to choose - which manufacturer to give preference?

Each person pays attention to health, regardless of age and occupation. This is especially true for patients with diabetes. Blood glucose meters measure blood glucose levels without complex analyzes. This procedure is vital. Today, manufacturers offer various home appliances for everyday use at home.

Which blood glucose meter is better to buy for yourself?

Many companies specialize in the production of medical equipment today. Blood glucose meters are products of increased importance because they make life easier for people suffering from diabetes. Confidence is the products of proven brands.

Bayer

The German chemical and pharmaceutical company was founded in 1863, today its headquarters is located in Leverkusen. She invented the drug Aspirin, polymers polyurethane and polycarbonate. Today, Bayer AG is the largest manufacturer of medical devices, including blood glucose meters.

Abdott Diabets Care

The British company Abdott Diabets Care, as the name implies, cares about people suffering from diabetes. It offers devices that monitor blood glucose levels using advanced and accurate methods of analysis. Blood glucose meters of this brand work quickly and require less blood to check.

Diamedical

Diamedical develops and constantly expands its product range. The British manufacturer of medical products has a strong position in the Russian market. Glucometers of this brand are notable for their attractive price and a wide range of test strips and lancets.

Bionime

The Swiss company Bionime, founded in 2003, offers blood glucose meters, test strips and lancets for them. They are designed to make checking blood glucose safer and easier for the average person, so the analysis is performed without special training.

TaiDoc

Asian medical goods manufacturer TaiDoc offers low-cost home blood glucose meters. Since 2005, the company has been operating in the Russian market, distributing through official manufacturers. Glucometers of this brand allow you to take blood from your finger, thigh, forearm.

Types of blood glucose meters

A regular blood test is required for people suffering from endocrine diseases. Manufacturers offer different types of blood glucose meters for accurate and fast analysis. They are designed to identify abnormalities. Thanks to this, a person can quickly take the necessary measures.

Blood glucose meters are divided into categories:

1. electrochemical;

2. photometric;

3. non-invasive.

Each category is characterized by its inherent features and principles of work. Manufacturers use the latest advances to improve the accuracy of the analysis.

Electrochemical glucometers

This type of blood glucose meter is considered convenient and popular. They use an amperometric or coulometric blood test method. To determine the level of glucose in the blood, an electric current is passed through a sample on the test strip, after which the device analyzes the indicators. The higher the current, the more sugar in the blood.

Such devices simplify the analysis procedure, because the patient does not need to independently compare colors on the test strip. Some models additionally analyze the level of cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood.

Photometric glucometers

Such devices demonstrate the results of the analysis with the help of special test zones. They are considered reliable, so many prefer these analyzers. The peculiarity of the work is that the device determines the color of the analysis and compares it with the scale. It is able to translate color scores into a specific number format for convenience.

These mini home analyzers were the first to enter the market. They eliminated the need to independently analyze the color scale. But photometric glucometers are gradually disappearing from sale.

Non-invasive blood glucose meters

Such glucometers are sometimes called Romanov or optical. They are able to determine the level of sugar without taking blood for analysis. To do this, check muscle tone and pressure. Some models also use ultrasonic, electromagnetic and heat waves to obtain the necessary information, or carry out a spectral analysis of the skin for sugar.

Non-invasive blood glucose meters are a new word in the industry, but these devices are not yet so accessible. In addition, the methods of analysis are not yet refined, therefore errors occur. But it is safe to say that in the near future they will occupy part of the market.

The principle of operation and the device meter

Design features and principles of operation depend on the specific model of the meter. But they are intended for one purpose and use one method of blood analysis. For a long time they used instruments that pierced the skin on a finger and analyzed the blood with the help of special test strips. These strips are a key element, because their surface is covered with a special reagent. Thanks to him, the sample is painted in a certain color.

Glucose level is determined by the color spectrum. Previously, this had to use a special scale, but modern glucometers are able to independently evaluate the results and produce specific numbers. For information, the test strip is inserted into a special slot on the device.

Photometric and electrochemical blood glucose meters use other methods of blood testing. The former determine the amount of sugar by the color scale of the reagent, and the latter transmit electric current and determine the resistance. This allows to obtain accurate results, on the basis of which the necessary decisions are made later.

Meter selection options

Household blood glucose meters are important for people suffering from diabetes, high cholesterol or other similar problems. The issues of choosing a particular model are approached with great responsibility. Doctors select several parameters of blood glucose meters:

1. method of calibration analysis;

2. the amount of blood required for analysis;

3. accuracy of the results;

4. check speed;

5. the amount of internal memory;

6. additional parameters to measure.

On the basis of this, an assumption is made about how effective and convenient the device will be at home.

1. Method of calibration result

2. Each blood glucose meter uses a specific blood test method. There are two options:

3. plasma - venous blood required for testing;

4. by capillary blood - blood from finger, hip, forearm is used for testing.

The first method is accurate, but it is applied on specialized blood glucose meters, when errors cannot be allowed. The second method is simple for household analysis, but it gives errors. In the capillaries, the sugar content is 10–12% lower, therefore the corresponding coefficient is 1.11.

The amount of blood required

Each model requires a certain amount of blood for analysis. It is calculated in several milliliters. Accurate and modern glucometers do not require deep punctures, so the procedure brings less discomfort. Remember that with age, the circulation of capillary blood is disturbed, so the elderly require 2-3 μl for analysis. The rest of the people need no more than 1.5 μl.

Accuracy of the results

The most important parameter on which the meaning of the procedure depends. Even modern household glucometers cannot be compared in accuracy with laboratory tests. In some cases, the error reaches 15-20%, and this is acceptable. Measurement accuracy is reduced due to various factors. To reduce errors to a minimum, testers and analysis methods are used, as well as special encodings for duplicating the results.

Check speed

This parameter indicates how long the meter is taking to produce results. Modern models cope in 5-6 seconds, but even simple devices rarely need more than 10-12 seconds. This is not a critical indicator.

Built-in memory

Modern devices are used to check and maintain a "case history". Many models save analysis results, allowing you to track changes and dynamics. Up to 500-600 checks are saved in memory, but for some glucometers the volume is calculated for several thousand records. This is useful for those who keep a diary or track changes over a long period of time. In addition, information is transferred to the computer via USB-port.

Additional parameters for measurements

Some models show blood sugar and blood pressure, muscle tone, cholesterol. This allows a comprehensive approach to health monitoring issues.

What meter to choose?

If there are no serious health problems, and the blood glucose meter is required only for prophylaxis, then a simple photometric model is suitable without an abundance of additional functions. The amount of memory for 500 entries is enough to track changes over the N-th period of time.

For continuous monitoring of glucose level, people with the first stage of diabetes are suitable electrochemical glucometers. It is better to choose a device with test strips to improve accuracy.

People with the second stage of diabetes and obesity require functional devices. It is better to choose models that can analyze blood parameters and blood pressure.

Older people should take into account the characteristics of the body and existing health problems. But in any case, they fit the devices with a large screen and simple operation. The volume of blood taken must be at least 2-3 μl to ensure accuracy.

How much is a blood glucose meter?

1. Electrochemical glucometers with plasma calibration cost from 600 rubles.

2. Electrochemical blood glucose meters with blood calibration cost from 900 to 1600 rubles.

3. Photometric glucometers with plasma calibration cost from 600 to 4000 rubles.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.