It is essential that you get a meter to check the
level of your blood sugar, called Blood Glucose,(BG).
After you eat, your BG will rise from the carbs.
The meter will allow you to know what your BG is
before you eat, and how high it goes after a meal,
at about 90-120 minutes.
If it is high before a meal, you may want to eat less.
Normal BG levels are between 70 -120.
Most people prefer to have their BG between 90-105,
although this is the ideal, and not always possible.
200-500 means you ate too much, or didn't get enough
exercise. Exercise will make a big difference.
You might want to consider joining some type of
class or gym.
Getting the right meter is a big deal.
Different one's are popular and promoted at different times
by the manufacturers. Doctor's often get free promotional
meters to give away, and sometimes patients get taken in
by the hype.
I think that the most important item is accuracy.
Not all meters are the same.
Other features, such as results in 5 to 10 seconds or
extra small drops of blood should not be a reason to
get a meter. After all, a drop is not so big to begin with,
and most current meters do use reduced sizes of the
blood drop, but the smallest size should not be chosen
if accuracy is not top of the line. Same for the timing of
the result.
Is it really an important consideration if you have to
wait 30-45 seconds instead of 5,10 or 15 seconds?
I think not.
If your doctor or CDE gives you a free meter, fine & dandy,
but you can still get another, if you want. Most people
find it convenient to have more than one meter.
If you insurance covers it, you should get a free meter
from them, even if you got one from your doctor, provided
he didn't bill them. They should also pay for the test strips,
which can get to be very expensive. If you have to pay for
them by yourself, or partially, you may want to consider
some of the less expensive brands. You may also want
to use them as a back-up supply, if your insurance limits
the number of strips that you can get each month.
Most meters are available with some form of rebate,
because the real money is made from the test strips.
They want you to get the meter for free, or almost free.
Watch the ads in the Sunday newspaper circulars for
sales, if you want to pick up an extra meter.
Everyone has their favorites. The One touch Ultra Smart
is currently popular, but it has many features that you will
not need, such as logging insulin doses. I do not recommend it.
For greatest accuracy, and one of the easiest to use test strips,
choose the Accu-Chek Advantage with the Comfort Curve
test strips. You won't spill any blood on this meter or
on the floor, because of the test strip's design. You can
keep your finger facing upward, instead of turning it
toward the floor. The strip will soak up just the right amount
of blood. No problems with too much or too little.
The meters which take blood from the arm are notoriously
inaccurate, and for high or low results, want you to do a
second test from the finger.
Accu-Chek Advantage is top of the line, in quality and
ease of use, and also price. With insurance, this is the
one to get.
For more info, use these links
:
---> Accu-Check Advantage meter
(Includes interactive display of meter features.)
---> Comfort Curve test strips ---> Type 2 Diabetes - General Info
(Info from Roche-Diagnostics, the meter company.)
For insurance purposes, have your doctor write out a
prescription for 6 containers of 50 test trips each.
You may not need that many, but the option will
be available. Best way to deal with the insurance company.
Meters & Checking Your BG 
Linear Mode
