BGL Monitors..

[tcpandi]

I recv'd a letter from my insurance company today... they said I am eligible for a free monitor and reduced pricing strips..
they have given me a list of test strips I can get.. I'm presuming these are also the monitors to go with them... so I'm looking for advice on which is better?


One Touch Basic/Profile
One Touch Fast Take
One Touch SureStep
One Touch Ultra
Precision Q-I-D
Precision Xtra
Precision Xtra Ketone
Precision Soft-Tact
Freestyle

I have type 2 diebetes and I test 6 to 8 times a day, depending on what I eat.. Currently it costs $50 a month for 200 test strips for Accu-check Advantage.

Any thoughts are appreciated!
Thanks! Traci

[nneighbour]

I'm a fan of the OneTouch line, I have 3 of their meters. I just started using the OneTouch Ultra 2 if that's an option. Very easy to use plus gets rid of those silly M and C buttons to replace them with something anyone can understand. 500 entry memory, plus basic commenting.

[lgvincent]

I believe the OneTouch Basic and Profile meters give readings in whole blood rather than plasma values. I also thought they had stopped making the Precision Q-I-D meter and I have heard the same has happened with the SureStep but as always, I'm probably wrong.

[camjen1]

I'd go with Freestyle since the listed One Touch meters have since been upgraded.

[tanyatype1]

I'm totally happy with my Freestyle Mini!

[Funnygrl]

Freestyle for the win!

The OneTouch Ultra ain't bad though either.

They don't make the QID, regular Ultra, plain old Freestyle, Basic, or Profile anymore.

I think the point is you can get Abbott strips or Lifescan strips cheap.

[sweetcheeks]

im a fan of the one touch ultra line, never used the freestyle but would if my insurance would cover it just to see if i liked it...

so either one of those should work fine

[princesslinda]

I currently use a Freestyle meter and am happy with it. I was recently given a new One-Touch Ultra-2 at a Women's Expo and the lady said the strips for it would be less than the freestyle, as it was a different "tier" on their list of meters and my co-pay would thus be less. I'm going to try it when I run out of Freestyle strips.

[slipperyelm]

You know what? I think any of them are just fine. This is definitely not something you have to fret over. They are all good. :)

High on my own list of priorities is that the required blood sample be as small as possible. Several years ago when insurance paid for my present meter, I had asked for Freestyle, because it appeared to be the one that used the smallest volume of blood. But its strips were not covered at the best rate, so I went with OneTouch Ultra. Nowadays, the insurance covers Freestyle strips equally, but I have not requested the change.

I have other meters that I got free, including OneTouch Ultra 2, one of those updated meters that appears not to be on your list. It uses the same strips as the original One Touch Ultra, but has more options to record facts such as exercise, meals, and insulin.

[mzizgayle]

I was given the freestyle when first diagnosed, then my current doctor felt the One touch Ultra was truer to readings that the hospital gets, so another freebie - do like both since they have computer upload capability, but the one touch is now my main meter and I can test on forearm etc with it also

[FTW]

Hi,

I really like my One Touch Ultra Smart, but then again it's the only meter I've ever used.

I wanted a meter that I'd be able to download the readings into my computer because I knew there was no way I'd ever keep up a log book. Last time I went to the doctor I printed the reports and took them with me. It was very helpful.

You can also enter your food, exercise, test results, etc.

It really depends on your priorities. Some want something small with a small sample. Some want their meter to have more functions.

If you check the manufacturer websites they will generally give you an overview of features. Or google something like "compare blood glucose meters". Some sites have checklistss of different features.

FTW

[Lloyd]

I use the Freestyle, and test only on my arm.

-Lloyd

[KritterMom]

I use a BD meter because it communicates with my pump. I question it's reliability at times. I recently received a free One Touch Ultra that I am going to order test strips for when I run out of the ones I currently use.:)