What Diabetics Should Know About Blood Sugar (Glucose) Testing Options

By: Shira Manne

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that 7.8% of the U.S. population, or one in every 13 people, has diabetes, and that number is only increasing. If you or your family member has been recently diagnosed with diabetes, or been living with it for years, you are definitely not alone.

The good news is that by monitoring your ABCs, you can manage your diabetes while also lowering your risk for heart disease and stroke and improving your overall health.

What are the ABCs of diabetes?

	A1c--A patterned check for blood sugar you should have done every 2 - 3 months.
	Blood pressure--The higher the number, the harder your heart has to work.
	Cholesterol--Good cholesterol, like HDL, can help protect your heart, while bad cholesterol, like LDL, can lead to hardened arteries and clogged blood vessels.

YOU can play an instrumental role in your health, by keeping these numbers within target range, especially your blood sugar. While cholesterol and blood pressure are usually checked in a doctor's office (or a local supermarket or pharmacy for some), blood sugar levels go up and down all day, every day dependent on food, exercise, stress, and medication.

With dozens of personal testing options, you can monitor your blood sugar any time, any place, in a discreet, convenient manner. But, with so many blood sugar test kits on the market today, how do you know which one is right for your needs?

Are you looking for:

• Easy to use, portable, accurate results?
• Something discreet that you can take anywhere?
• Less pain, less blood, more rapid results?
• Ability to track results and patterns?

With these questions in mind, The Medical Supply Depot suggests the following test kits by these manufacturers: Accu-Check, Clarity, Freestyle, Ascensia. Not only has each proven successful for many diabetes patients, but each also offers unique benefits for diabetics with the needs described above.

If you want the least pain with an easy to handle test meter, then consider Accu-Chek Compact Meter.

• No strip handling! Pre-loaded drum of 17 test strips.
• Softclix lancet device. Won't tear skin by wiggling from side to side.
• Size of cell phone. Easier to handle than some of the smaller meters.
• Requires only 1.5 microliters of blood. Results in JUST 8 SECONDS!

For a test kit that offers great storage and tracking capability, look at the Rapid Glucose Test.

• Large memory that holds last 300 tests.
• Computes daily average over 14 day cycles.
• PC capability.
• Large reading range from 20-600 mg/d.
• Accurate-auto check and calibration.
• Easy to read-large visual display

One of the most advanced micro meters on the market that proves that good things really do come in small packages is the Freestyle Flash Blood Glucose Meter.

• Only 3" tall, weighs only 1.4 oz. World's smallest!
• Only 7 second average test time.
• Requires just 3/10 microliter blood sample.
• Test on multiple sites-calf, finger, forearm…
• The smallest meter, smallest sample size and the most test sites...period.

If what you need is something portable, easy to understand, with cutting-edge technology, consider the Ascensia Breeze Blood Glucose Monitoring System.

• Single function buttons that are easy to understand!
• No fumbling with individual test strips. One autodial includes 10 strips. No coding required!
• Fits in the palm of your hand or stable enough for table top testing.
• "Sip in sampling" automatically draws in the right amount of blood.
• Download info to your computer using Ascensia Glucofacts Diabetes Management Software.
• Multiple site testing offers more choice and flexibility.

The right test kit will arm you with the tools you need to manage your diabetes and maintain a healthy, hassle-free life as much as possible. We recommend you review these kits and the rest of our diabetic test kit selection to find the best kit for your life.  Contact Us with questions, comments, and feedback--we're here to help!