Glucose monitoring is a serious problem for diabetics. Diabetics often end up with heavily scarred fingers. Also the 'test strips' are rather expensive, not to mention the medication itself. Perhaps for this reason, diabetics in poor countries often go without any medication, relying instead on herbal remedies. Those who do take medication often do not do home testing as in the USA. Medical treatment for diabetes, even in poor countries, starts at US$100 per month. In Indonesia or India, this is equivalent to US$1,000 per month in terms of affordability. (I.e., US$100 in those countries can buy just as much in basic necessities as US$1,000 in the USA.)
Last year, I read about several well-funded companies from several continents racing to develop a 'pain-free' method of testing blood glucose. However, these are not likely to rival the blood test method for accuracy. Even if they are accurate and are developed within the next decade, they will certainly be very expensive for at least another decade.
However one new method is simply to develop a finer needle, similar to that of a mosquito. It is reasonable to hope that this method may be developed soon, and accurate and affordable.
I am not diabetic but have decided to do some research for friends and relatives. I have learned a lot by reading the following messages at diabetic forums. (I include some interesting off-topic discussions about cinnamon and "Dia-rice".)
Based on opinions at these forums, and Amazon reviews, here are my preliminary findings.
- Glucose meters can be wildly inaccurate. Be careful. It is best to have 2 different meters--compare their results with one another--and also with the results at your doctor's office.
- Is pricking the arm instead of the finger less painful and does this cause less scars? I thought so but--according to forum messages--sometimes yes and sometimes no. I would suggest trying things out and not making assumptions.
- Test strips are expiry dated and must not be stored above or below certain temperatures. Some are more sensitive than others.
- Accu-Check Multiclix seems consistently recognized as the easiest and least painful lancing device, and seems not to be more expensive than usual. (About $10 per device. Extra lancets about $10 per 100.)
- But the Accu-Check glucose meters seem not always reliable.
- The AgaMatrix WaveSense meters use a new technology which "claims" to be more accurate as well as less expensive. However some users have found it unreliable.
- Lifescan OneTouch meters are the most widely used, and are consisistently acclaimed as reliable. I would suggest using Lifescan OneTouch meters for occasionally checking the accuracy of another meter. However, I would not suggest OneTouch for primary use, unless this is covered by insurance, because the test strips cost twice as much as is otherwise available.
- The Relion glucose meter, a Walmart house brand, is consistently recognized as reliable and inexpensive.
Many people (including myself) are justifiably suspicious of any Walmart brand product--especially for a key medical device! Also some Relion products are clearly substandard. However whenever anyone voices this suspicion in forums--everyone who has actually tried the Relion seems to vouch that it works very well. Sometimes the Walmart system does get things right. For example their 'Perfect Mix' potting soil is made by a major manufacturer, an excellent price and of excellent quality. This seems to be the case for the Relion glucose meter.
In conclusion, the Walmart Relion glucose meter seems to be the best buy for your primary meter. A Lifescan or OneTouch meter should be used for occasional retesting. (These are not expensive to buy, they are only expensive if used regularly.) I see only the following problems.
- Relion test strips probably are not available outside the USA. If you live outside the USA, I would suggest getting a OneTouch meter, and using this to test the accuracy of whatever meters are available in your area. Look for these features: able to test blood from the forearm as well as the finger, needs only 1 MCL of blood per test, uses inexpensive test strips.
- Will the Relion glucose meter work with the Multiclix lancer? Probably yes.
- Can several people use one Multiclix lancer and one Relion glucose meter? Not yet answered.
Approximate 2009 prices at Walmart.com:
- Relion Ultima. Meter: $9. Strips: $22 for 50. Forearm or finger: yes. Minimum blood: 0.6 MCL.
- Accu-chek Active. Meter: $12. Strips: $30 for 50. Forearm or finger: yes. Minimum blood: 1.0 MCL.
- OneTouch Ultra Mini. Meter: $19. Strips: $51 for 50. Forearm or finger: yes. Minimum blood: 1.0 MCL.
(Accu-chek and OneTouch also have other meters selling for $65-$75. These do not claim to be more accurate but only to have added features, such as a clock, extra data storage, computer compatability, lancing device, etc. However, the more expensive Accu-Chek models require more expensive test strips, about $50 per 50. Perhaps the complaints about the inaccuracy of the Accu-chek are based on the cheaper model which uses cheaper strips? If your insurance pays for Accu-Chek but not for OneTouch, then perhaps you should try the more expensive model even if you must pay the initial cost. Otherwise, judging by reports from users, there seems to be no point in choosing any Accu-chek meter. The cheap one can not be presumed reliable--and the test strips for the more expensive ones are just as expensive as for the OneTouch. Therefore, the main reason that I mention Accu-chek here is because they make the best lancet device. It seems best to use Accu-chek lancets but not Accu-chek meters.)
2008.12.22, 20:32
F: Best glucose meters (blood monitors for diabetics)
Krystof, Health Journalist
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