Can anyone use glucose meters?

[Hannah07]

Question, my doctor tested me for diabetes- I don't have it but he didn't tell me what my result was, I would like to know. So my question is can a non-diabetic use a glucose monitor? and do you need a prescription? thanks

[notme]

Nope, you don't need a prescription. You can go to Walmart and buy a meter. Why don't you just ask your doctor for the results???

[murphysl]

I'm not sure about Austrailia, but it seems like they would be similar to the US, where no Rx is required for a meter or strips unless you want insurance to pay for them. Also, your doctor's office should tell you the result if you ask. If not, they should be willing to give a parent/legal guardian the result of your test.
They also make a diabetes A1C test if you are curious about your glucose average for the past three months. I only know of one company, but there may be others: BIOSAFE Medical Technologies, Inc. Welcome to Lab 123, Inc. (http://www.ebiosafe.com)

[Maddogg]

Question, my doctor tested me for diabetes- I don't have it but he didn't tell me what my result was, I would like to know. So my question is can a non-diabetic use a glucose monitor? and do you need a prescription? thanks

You don't need a prescription, although a prescription might save you some money. And ANYBODY who can bleed can use a glucose meter to test their blood sugars, ****, you could probably test your dog's blood if you really wanted to.

[Hannah07]

I was thinking of buying from the Accu-Chek range, are they any good? also do they come with a lancing device, test strips and lancets? I'm assuming you don't need a prescription to buy the lancets separately?

[blue eyes]

The accu-chek advantage was the first meter I got. It came with the lancing device and test strips - I can't remember how many though.

W/o a prescription the test strips for the advantage (for 50) cost somewhere around $40-50, with a prescription it cost approx $12.xx, w/an NDSS and health care card it cost me $1 for 50.

Hope this helps.:)

[ant hill]

Question, my doctor tested me for diabetes- I don't have it but he didn't tell me what my result was, I would like to know. So my question is can a non-diabetic use a glucose monitor? and do you need a prescription? thanks

Hello Hanna, As for the meter is that you would just buy of the phamacy's shelf with no presciption. As for the strips as i can get them through the National Diabetc Supplies Sceame as you are not a member of, Sorry Hanna :( However, You can ask the pharmisist if it will be cheaper to get the strips with a prescription? :)

[Hannah07]

I went to my local pharmacy, they had the Accu-Chek Advantage and Accu-Chek Aviva. I bought the advantage because it was cheaper, $69.95 AUD. It came with lancing device, 10 test strips and 10 lancets. I think I will just buy my supplies from an online chemist- seems much cheaper!

[xMenace]

Check ebay too.

Don't get obsessed with this now. But I find it interesting that a non-D might use one to better understand their body. If you are up to it, try profiling your meals: test every half hour from say an hour before you eat until your next meal. Draw a graph. Wake yourself up one different hour each night and build an overnight profile. Don't do it all in one night because that won't measure your sleeping pattern. Then if you decide to monitor regularly, you'll have baselines to refer back to. This is what I/we more-or-less try to do.