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Where and what to buy a glucometer?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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People with diabetes are interested in the question of where to buy a glucometer. In fact, problems with the acquisition of this device should not be. Such devices are sold even in ordinary pharmacies. But if the institution specializes in this only in a narrow circle, then it is better to cancel the visit to this place.
It is best to visit special stores with medical equipment. Here you can not only pick up the model you like, but also test it on the spot. In this, perhaps, is the main plus of such stores.
You can buy a meter in the online store, but this purchase is risky. So, if a person has already purchased the device, then there will be no problems. He knows which model he needs and will easily make his choice. But if a person buys the device for the first time, specialists can not do without consulting specialists. After all, you need to check the device for accuracy, and without personal contact it is impossible. Naturally, you can buy a glucometer, make sure that it does not fit and continue searching. But this will take a lot of finance. Therefore, it is best to go to a specialized store of medical equipment. Here you can help choose the right device and test it on the spot.
Which meter to buy?
One of the most pressing questions is which glucometer to buy. There is nothing incredible in the purchase of the device. But it is necessary to know some rules of his choice.
So, the first thing to consider is personal needs. There are quite a lot of glucometers. All of them differ between each other with functional filling and price.
Pay attention to the type of device. So, special popularity gained electromechanical devices. A drop of blood is applied to the test strip, and then the blood glucose level is determined using an electrical current. This is done quickly and efficiently.
As for the duration of the test. Usually it does not exceed 5-20 seconds. To say that the less this action lasts, the better, it is impossible. This criterion is not of particular importance. It is worth paying attention directly to the type of device and its accuracy. As for the last criterion, it is necessary to say a few words. It is on him that human health depends. After all, some devices have such an inaccuracy that the patient simply does not know when he needs to inject insulin or, on the contrary, does it when there is no need for it. Therefore, when choosing a device, it is worth paying attention to the accuracy, it should not exceed 20%.
Naturally, the appearance, design, compactness also play a role. But these are secondary indicators. Therefore, choosing a device, it is worth looking at the accuracy and its type, the other functions are selected at personal discretion. The name of the company or something else does not play any role.
How to choose a glucometer?
Do you know how to choose a glucometer without any problems? So, what is most interesting, to make a choice is on the test strips. After all, they are the main part of the device. It is necessary to draw on their number, quality and basic characteristics. Only after this, you can proceed to select the device itself.
Naturally, many people want to get a functional and inexpensive device. But no matter how strange it may sound, all devices have almost the same price category. Opt for electromechanical devices, because they have a minimum error. As mentioned above, the most important criterion is the purchase of a test strip. Saving on this component is stupid.
The more functions the device has, the more it costs. Therefore, you need to focus on personal preferences. After all, there are automatic devices, there are also with manual tuning. An important component of the device is a pen-syringe, as well as a special lancet for piercing the skin and blood sampling.
There are no special differences here. It is important to choose what is needed, based on personal needs. The main difference of all devices is, perhaps, the management, the company-manufacturer and design. In general, any device is able to show the correct data.
Modern glucometers
Many modern glucometers have the latest medical technologies. They perform a blood test quickly and without much effort. Even children can use these devices freely. Devices of the latest generation, such as One Touch and Accu-Check made a huge breakthrough. After all, they can use everything. Results with a minimum of error, and the price of the devices is simply incredible.
Modern glucometers can be multifunctional. So, some of them can measure the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood. Such an instrument is Optium Eskid. It is quite affordable with an additional function. This is important for those people who have type 1 diabetes, as well as during pregnancy and stress.
A big breakthrough was made by Accutend Plus. He is a personal biochemical analyzer. Thanks to it you can measure not only the level of glucose, but also cholesterol. This is especially important for people with type 2 diabetes.
For people with poor eyesight, Clover Chek TD-4227A is suitable. It has a voice control function. So to carry out the procedure is not so difficult. The device itself guides the patient's actions, suggesting how the measurement is done. After that, the device reports the result.
Newest glucometers
What should I pay attention to when choosing the newest glucometers? First of all, much depends on the basic functions of the device. So, many of the devices almost do not differ from their predecessors. But there are also such models, which can be called multifunctional. They allow us to determine not only the level of glucose in the blood, but also cholesterol, as well as hemoglobin and clotting rate.
When choosing a meter, you should pay attention to the models of companies OneTouch and Accu-Chek. They do their job well and are not expensive. In addition, there are devices that can be controlled by voice. They not only listen to the commands of a person, but also help him to carry out an "operation". This is very important for people with limited vision.
Modern devices, such as MEDISANA GlucoDock are automatic. They themselves are configured and do not require manual input of information. In general, pay attention to many nuances.
A distinctive feature of the newest devices is multifunctionality, compactness and the possibility of using them even by children. As for specific models, it is worth paying attention to the devices of OneTouch, Accu-Chek, Rightest SensoLite and On-Call.
Free Glucose Meter
It is possible to get a free glucometer. But this privilege can not be used by many. Unfortunately, the state does not seek to help people with diabetes. Therefore, it is practically impossible to obtain a glucose measuring device free of charge.
The only way to gain some privileges is to get on the action in a store and buy the device at the lowest price. There is an opportunity to get and many additional accessories to it. Therefore, you should not get upset. Free only components are provided, and then in special cases. Here much depends on the manufacturer and the store, which offers its services.
There are also such actions, where some account of the buyer, receives the device as a gift. But this is more like a marketing move, rather than the truth. Therefore, it remains to be hoped that the state will begin to take care of people. So far, you need to monitor the stock and try to buy a glucometer at a reduced price, if there is such an opportunity.
Exchange of glucometers
Many stores offer such a service as exchange of glucometers. A person comes to a special institution, hands over his old device and gets a new one. However, to do all this, you need to be a client of the store.
To date, the state is not interested in the problem of diabetes as it should. Therefore, to get a free meter or to exchange an old one for a new one simply can not. You must be a customer of a certain store. After all, not all such "actions" are conducted. It happens that such an event happens only on certain days.
In general, every store of medical equipment has its own client base. Therefore, at the end of the expiration date of the device or when it is not fully operational, it becomes possible to come and exchange it. Sometimes employees themselves ring up customers and offer them such a service. As for this, you need to carefully study everything in the shop where the purchase was made. But you should understand that in any case the device can always be exchanged.
How to check the meter?
Do you know how to check the glucometer correctly? For this action, you do not need special knowledge. It's enough just to check for accuracy. To do this, you need to select a device and make a test for the level of glucose in the blood.
It is advisable to do this three times. The obtained results are compared with each other. Here in this moment it is necessary to show attentiveness. The difference between the results obtained should not exceed 5-10%.
You can do a little differently. To do this, a person goes to the hospital, and conduct a laboratory test to determine the level of sugar in the blood. The received data should be taken with you and go to test the device. Similarly, 3 tests are performed and the result is compared with a laboratory test. The error should not be more than 0.8 mmol / l.
This is the verification of the device. After all, this criterion is one of the most important. Therefore, when a person goes to buy an apparatus, he should check it without leaving the store.
How much does the glucometer cost?
Many people are interested in how much a glucometer costs. This is a natural question asked by patients suffering from diabetes. In fact, the price can vary.
And, what is most interesting, even identical devices have different cost. But there is a positive trend in this. So, basically all the devices are in the same price category.
The cost can be affected by the name of the manufacturer, functionality, as well as additional nuances. Usually the meter costs around 400-600 hryvnia. It all depends on where the person is making the purchase and what functions are important to him.
It is worth noting that the most expensive glucometer is one that is capable of not only glucose levels in the blood, but also to determine cholesterol. This is also of no small importance. Therefore, going for a purchase, it is worth noting for yourself, what additional functions should be in the device. With such knowledge, it will be easier to make a choice. Naturally, in online stores such devices are a bit cheaper.