Differences between glucometers: what to consider when choosing

Range of measuring devices

Manufacturers of blood sugar measuring devices produce a huge range of products. The devices function differently, there are advantages and disadvantages.

The device can be:

1. Laser
   . A laser puncture is made on the skin. The price is above 10 thousand rubles.

2. Electrochemical
   . Test strips are used in this work.
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3. Photometric
   . Glucose levels are determined by coloring the test area.

4. Romanovsky
   . Glucose is released after skin spectroscopy.

5. Contactless
   . It is done quickly and does not require skin puncture.

When choosing a meter for home use, you must take into account that most of the devices are suitable for type 1 diabetes. With the second type, it is necessary to take measurements more often.

Patients with type 2 diabetes have the right to receive a free glucometer, and test strips are issued free of charge for a month upon prescription from a pharmacy (3 pieces per day).

When choosing a glucometer, you should calculate the required amount of consumables and its cost.

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Device Analysis

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Analyzing various models of devices and reviews of them, attention was paid to the functionality of the device:

• accurate measurement;
• speed of obtaining information;
• obtaining results on blood pressure, ketone bodies, cholesterol and other indicators;
• output and transfer of data to a laptop;
• sound notification;
• memory size and number of measurements;
• display backlight.

Also important for the evaluation criterion:

• ease of use, especially for patients with impaired motor skills or poor vision;
• cost of a glucometer and price of consumables;
• availability of test strips for sale;
• shelf life of consumables;
• number of complaints about marriage;
• the presence of a bag-cover for the safety of the device;
• appearance.

To make it easier to choose a glucometer for your home, we have compiled a rating of the best devices from well-known manufacturers.

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What to look for when choosing a glucometer

High-quality glucose meters have several common technical characteristics. The fact is that their production is carried out by companies from different countries, but the main requirement for the device is the same everywhere: demonstration of the correct data without significant expenditure of time and effort on the part of the user. This result is achieved using a combination of the following parameters:

• The measurement method can be electrochemical or photometric (also called photoelectric);
• The accuracy of the measurement also reflects the quality of the glucometer; 95% or more of the tests must correspond to laboratory tests;
• The calibration method can be based on plasma or blood, the first - more precisely, it is also used in laboratory conditions;
• The cost of high-quality new generation glucometers starts from 800 Russian rubles;
• The shelf life of test strips should be 6-18 months depending on opening the package;
• It’s good if the glucometer has additional options , for example, an alarm clock.

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Photometric glucometers

The best photometric glucose meters include Accu-Chek devices. The manufacturer Roche Diagnostics achieved excellent results. Thanks to innovative technologies, the Accu Chek glucometer provides an error of up to 15%. According to the standards, an inaccuracy of 20% is allowed.

Accu Chek Active

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The practical meter takes measurements in 5 seconds. The information is easy to read on the large screen. Advantages of the popular Accu-Chek Active model:

• image clarity;
• ease of use;
• 350 measurements;
• displaying average glucose values;
• results before and after eating;
• auto-on when strip enters;
• transfer of results to storage media.

The equipment comes with a puncture machine, 10 strips and the same number of lancets, a battery, a carrying bag and instructions. The disadvantages include:

• high cost of consumables;
• lack of automatic blood sampling;
• lack of sound and lighting;
• low battery charge;
• may give an error if a drop of blood does not hit the center.

According to reviews, this model is practical, comfortable, suitable for elderly people with impaired vision, but consumables will cost more than the device itself. The cost of the meter is 600 rubles, and the test strips will cost 900 rubles.

Accu Chek Mobile

Refers to the best photometric glucometers. Roche guarantees the high-tech device for 50 years. The device combines the most necessary things. This model uses test cassettes, which eliminates damage to consumables.

Pros:

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• painless blood sampling;
• excellent measurement accuracy;
• speed 5 sec;

• The set also includes a puncture device and a test cassette;
• repeated use of the lancet (if it is used by one person);
• great memory;
• no software installation required to transfer information to a computer;
• menu in Russian.

So, users note accuracy, ease of use, high speed and painless puncture, after which a minimum of blood appears.

Minuses:

• price 3500 rubles;
• buzzing sound.

According to consumer opinions, Accu-Chek Mobile would be purchased more often if the price of the measuring device was lower.

Accu Chek Compact Plus

The Accu-Chek Compact Plus model received good reviews. Taking into account user criticism, the developers reduced the analysis time and reduced it to 5 seconds. Automatic control brings convenience to the user, who practically does not need to press buttons.

Advantages:

• wide screen;
• measurement indicator;
• ease of needle replacement;

• the piercing handle is adjustable;
• memory stores 100 measurements;
• transferring information to a personal computer;
• bag-case;
• 3 year warranty.

Flaws:

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• difficulties in purchasing a drum with ribbons;
• buzzing sound when rewinding;
• high price (3,500 rubles).

Despite the high cost and difficulty in finding ribbons, the model is popular among buyers.

Accu-Chek Performa Nano

The model features a modern design and portable sizes. Ease of use is ensured by a wide backlit screen.

Advantages:

• accuracy of results;
• speed 5 seconds;
• compactness;
• great memory;
• The time, date and alarm are displayed, notifying the time of analysis.

The only disadvantages include expensive consumables. The price of the glucometer itself from Roche is 1,500 rubles, which is much lower than the cost of photometric devices from this manufacturer.

The best manufacturers of glucometers

For people with diabetes, it is vital that blood glucose meters measure their blood sugar levels as accurately as possible. Not all manufacturers can provide sufficiently high-quality devices. This means that you need to find companies in advance that you can trust. The following three have excellent reviews:

• OneTouch glucometers are produced by the famous American company Johnson & Johnson;
• Accu-Chek is a German-made brand that has been making blood glucose meters for about 18 years;
• Satellite is a domestic company that develops high-quality medical products.

In general, there is a lot of debate about who makes the best glucometers. Some people believe that assembly must be carried out in Europe, but this is not essential. The main thing is that the equipment meets domestic, and better yet, international medical standards. And it is desirable that the manufacturer provide detailed information about where the equipment is produced. If these are official factories in eastern countries, everything is fine. And you need to vigilantly monitor not even the glucometers themselves, but the strips for them and the handle. After all, it is the hands that interact with the blood. And the strips must reflect the results accurately, while matching the device used for analysis.

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Non-invasive devices

The production of high-tech devices using innovative scientific developments has allowed us to reach a new level. New generation devices do not require blood sampling. Their cost is high, production is carried out in small batches. A few reviews speak of the perfection of the equipment produced.

Omelon B-2

The Russian company Omelon, together with Moscow University, has developed a unique glucometer that has no analogues. The principle of its operation is based on the connection between sugar levels and cardiac and muscle tone. An innovative glucometer from the best specialists calculates glucose levels based on measurements of pulse, pressure and blood vessels.

Advantages:

• painless measurements without taking blood or skin punctures;
• the patient can also keep blood pressure and pulse under control;
• more convenient than invasive meters;
• warranty period 2 years.

Minuses:

• its large dimensions do not allow it to be carried in a pocket;
• the correct data depends on the patient's condition and movements during measurement.

The cost of the Omelon B-2 glucometer is 6,900 rubles on the manufacturer’s website, but the high price is offset by the fact that there is no need to purchase consumables.

How does a glucometer work without pricking your finger?

Stripless glucose meters for home use are non-invasive. In this case, there will be no finger puncture - a contact test is sufficient. You need to turn on the device, place your finger on the working head and analyze the indicators. The accuracy for a high-quality glucometer is high; if desired, you can run the test 3-4 times in a row or at short intervals and compare the values. There shouldn't be much difference in this case.

A girl measures her glucose level using a special device - a non-invasive glucometer.

The glucometer sensor does not penetrate the skin, but essentially sucks sugar from the intercellular fluid through the hair follicles. Small sensor elements are connected to them. Each of them affects a specific area near the bulb - this increases the accuracy of measurements.

Important! There is no need to calibrate or set up your non-invasive blood glucose meter.

At the moment, a number of tests need to be carried out to optimize the functioning of the glucometer sensors. Models without punctures are more expensive than regular ones, but, according to researchers, they have a great future ahead of them.

Which meter is better

If you choose a device based on pricing policy, then it is better to focus on the price of test strips. Here it will definitely be profitable to buy a Russian glucometer from Elta.

Glucose meter comparison table

Many consumers choose products from One Touch and Bayer. If you are a supporter of the latest technologies, want to get more accurate information and are willing to pay for convenience, then choose Accu-Chek and Omelon devices.

Types of glucometers without test strips

Regular blood sugar testing is needed for people with diabetes mellitus, a chronic disease of the endocrine system. There are different types of equipment on sale:

1. Electrochemical non-invasive glucose meters are a convenient, popular option. The work is based on the coulometric or amperometric method of performing analysis. A current is passed through the device, which then displays the resulting readings on the screen. The dependence is simple - the higher the current, the higher the glucose level. Easy to use, excellent functionality, high accuracy. The speed of obtaining results is up to 10 seconds.
2. Optical or Romanov non-invasive glucometers - show sugar content without physical blood sampling, based on pressure and muscle tone. Some models use thermal and electromagnetic waves, others conduct spectral analysis of tissues.

Photometry is an invasive option. Such models require regular replacement of strips, lancets, and needles, which not all patients like. Although the models are good and functional, they are gradually being replaced by more advanced options.

The absence of test strips is practical, the results will be accurate

Important! The non-invasive glucometer is the best device in its category. It is not very widespread yet, but in the future it will occupy a large part of the market.

How to choose a glucometer without pricking your finger

Choosing a Glucowise glucometer or another brand is a matter of financial capabilities, personal preferences, and required parameters. When purchasing, you need to look at the following aspects:

1. Manufacturer - it is better to rely on proven brands that have been on the market for a long time and produce high-level products.
2. The price of consumables is no less important than the cost of the device itself, since equipment is regularly maintained during operation. In the case of non-invasive devices, maintainability is important - whether the device can be restored if it breaks.
3. Ease of use - chips without code are as automated as possible; manual input will take a long time to figure out.

Having a wide range of additional functions is not always necessary, and sometimes it is an unnecessary option. Also, advanced non-invasive glucometers, which can do a lot, cost several times more than conventional ones.