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Health

Where and what kind of glucometer should I buy?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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People suffering from diabetes are interested in the question of where to buy a glucometer. In fact, there should be no problems with purchasing this device. 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 a visit to this place.

It is best to visit specialized stores with medical equipment. Here you can not only choose the model you like, but also test it on the spot. This is, perhaps, the main advantage of such stores.

You can buy a glucometer in an online store, but such a purchase is risky. So, if a person has already purchased similar devices before, then there will be no problems. He knows which model he needs and will easily make his choice. But if a person buys a device for the first time, he cannot do without consulting specialists. After all, you need to check the device for accuracy, and without personal contact it is impossible to do. Naturally, you can buy a glucometer, make sure that it is not suitable and continue searching. But this will cost a lot of money. Therefore, it is best to go to a specialized store of medical equipment. Here they will help you choose the right device and test it on the spot.

Which glucometer should I buy?

One of the most pressing questions is which glucometer to buy. There is nothing incredible in buying a device. But you need to know some rules for choosing it.

So, first of all, it is worth considering personal needs. There are quite a lot of glucometers. They all differ in functionality and price.

It is worth paying attention to the type of device. Thus, electromechanical devices have become especially popular. A drop of blood is applied to a test strip, and then the glucose level in the blood is determined using an electric current. This is done quickly and effectively.

As for the duration of the test. Usually it does not exceed 5-20 seconds. It is impossible to say that the shorter this action lasts, the better. This criterion is not particularly significant. It is worth paying attention directly to the type of device and its accuracy. A few words should be said about the last criterion. It is on it that a person's health depends. After all, some devices are so inaccurate that the patient simply does not know when he needs to inject insulin or, on the contrary, does it when there is no need. Therefore, when choosing a device, it is worth paying attention to accuracy, it should not exceed 20%.

Naturally, appearance, design, compactness also play their role. But these are secondary indicators. Therefore, when choosing a device, it is worth looking at the accuracy and its type, the rest of the 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? Well, here's the most interesting thing: you should make a choice based on the test strips. After all, they are the main part of the device. It is necessary to pay attention to their quantity, quality and main characteristics. Only after that can you start choosing 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. It is better to choose electromechanical devices, because they have the minimum error. As mentioned above, the most important criterion is the purchase of a test strip. It is stupid to save on this component.

The more functions the device has, the more it costs. Therefore, you need to focus on personal preferences. After all, there are automatic devices, and there are those with manual settings. An important component of the device is a syringe pen, as well as a special lancet for piercing the skin and taking blood.

There are no special differences here. It is important to choose what you need based on your personal needs. The main difference between all devices is, perhaps, the control, the manufacturer and the design. In general, any device is capable of showing the correct data.

Modern glucometers

Many modern glucometers have the latest medical technologies. They conduct blood tests quickly and without much effort. Even children can easily use such devices. The latest generation devices, such as One Touch and Accu-Check, have made a huge breakthrough. After all, everyone can use them. The results have minimal error, and the price of the devices is simply incredible.

Modern glucometers can be multifunctional. Some of them can measure the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood. Such a device is "Optimum Escid". Quite an affordable device with an additional function. This is important for those people who are sick with type 1 diabetes, as well as during pregnancy and stress.

A major breakthrough was made by "Accatrend Plus". It is a personal biochemical analyzer. Thanks to it, you can measure not only glucose levels, but also cholesterol. This is especially important for people suffering from type 2 diabetes.

People with poor eyesight will benefit from the Clover Check TD-4227A. It has a voice control function. So the procedure is not that difficult. The device itself guides the patient's actions, prompting how the measurement is done. After that, the device reports the result.

The latest glucometers

What should you pay attention to when choosing the latest glucometers? First of all, much depends on the main functions of the device. So, many of the devices are practically no different from their predecessors. But there are also such models that can be called multifunctional. They allow you to determine not only the level of glucose in the blood, but also cholesterol, as well as hemoglobin and coagulation rate.

When choosing a glucometer, it is worth paying attention to the models of the companies OneTouch and Accu-Chek. They cope with their task perfectly and are not expensive. In addition, there are such devices that can be controlled by voice. They not only listen to human commands, but also help him to carry out the "operation". This is very important for people with limited vision.

Modern devices, such as MEDISANA GlucoDock, are automatic. They are self-configuring and do not require manual input of information. In general, it is worth paying attention to many nuances.

The distinctive feature of the latest devices is their multifunctionality, compactness and the possibility of using them even by children. As for specific models, it is worth paying attention to devices from OneTouch, Accu-Chek, Rightest SensoLite and On-Call.

Free glucometer

There is an opportunity to get a free glucometer. But not many can take advantage of this privilege. Unfortunately, the state does not strive to help people suffering from diabetes. Therefore, it is almost impossible to get a glucose meter for free.

The only way to get some privileges is to get on a promotion in some store and buy the device at the lowest price. There is also an opportunity to get many additional accessories for it. So do not be upset. Only components are provided free of charge, and then in special cases. Here a lot depends on the manufacturer and the store that offers its services.

There are also such promotions, where a certain buyer receives a device as a gift. But this is more of a marketing ploy than the truth. Therefore, we can only hope that the state will start to care about people. For now, you need to follow the promotions and try to buy a glucometer at a reduced price, if possible.

Exchange of glucometers

Many stores offer a service such as glucometer exchange. A person comes to a special institution, hands in his old device and receives a new one. However, to do all this, you need to be a customer of the store.

Today, the state is not interested in the problem of diabetes as it should be. Therefore, you cannot just get a free glucometer or exchange an old one for a new one. You must be a customer of a certain store. After all, not everywhere such "promotions" are held. It happens that such an event takes place only on certain days.

In general, each medical equipment store has its own customer base. Therefore, when the device expires or is not fully functional, it is possible to come and exchange it. Sometimes employees call customers themselves and offer them such a service. You need to find out everything about this in detail directly at the store where the purchase was made. But it is worth understanding that in any case, the device can always be exchanged.

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How to check a glucometer?

Do you know how to check the glucometer correctly? You don't need any special knowledge to do this. It's enough to simply check for accuracy. To do this, you need to select a device and do a blood glucose test.

It is advisable to do this action three times. The results obtained are compared with each other. This is where you need to be careful. The difference between the results obtained should not exceed 5-10%.

You can do it a little differently. To do this, a person goes to the hospital and conducts a laboratory test to determine the level of sugar in the blood. The obtained data must be taken with you and go to test the device. In the same way, 3 tests are carried out and the result is compared with the laboratory test. The error should not be more than 0.8 mmol / l.

This is what testing the device is all about. After all, this criterion is one of the most important. Therefore, when a person goes to buy a device, he should test it without leaving the store.

How much does a 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 may vary.

Moreover, what is most interesting is that even identical devices have different prices. But there is also a positive dynamic in this. So, basically all devices are in the same price category.

The price may be affected by the name of the manufacturer, functionality, and additional nuances. Usually, a glucometer costs around 400-600 hryvnia. It all depends on where a person makes a purchase and what functions are important to him.

It is worth noting that the most expensive glucometer is the one that can determine cholesterol in addition to the blood glucose level. This is also an important value. Therefore, when going shopping, it is worth noting for yourself what additional functions the device should have. With such knowledge, it will be easier to make a choice. Naturally, such devices are a little cheaper in online stores.

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