what type of tester do you use ?

Avatar for moon627
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
what type of tester do you use ?
7
Tue, 08-03-2004 - 7:46pm
i was diagnosed with type2 almost 10 years ago and i got a glucose monitor that is probably antiquated now. i have to prick my finger and place a drop of blood on a test strip. i havent been testing regularly for several years now so i need to get back on track but i'd like to try a different tester - any suggestions ? i think my insurance will reimburse me but i dont know whats new out there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Tue, 08-03-2004 - 10:00pm

I use accucheck advantage, just because its what my dr wrote on my prescription, so that was what was cheap.

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~Christie

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-28-2004
Tue, 08-03-2004 - 11:51pm
I use a One Touch Ultra, it allows me to test on my arm. I am a wuss, I can't test on my fingers. lol
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Wed, 08-04-2004 - 12:26am

See, THAT'S the one I want.

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~Christie

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 08-04-2004 - 1:48am

Hi Moon627,


I am glad to read that you are starting to test your blood sugar regularly.


I have two meters that I am currently using.


I am in a drug study that requires me to use an AccuChek Advantage and I really don't like this meter. It uses too much blood and requires me to calibrate the meter occassionally. I would use it is it was the only thing I had.


The other meter is an AccuChek Compac and I really like this meter. Both use the same lancette which is wonderful. In the compac the sticks come in a drum containting 17 test strips. You turn it on and it sends out the strip and you put a little tiny drop of blood on it and then it shortly gives you the reading. You do not need to calibrate this meter as it automatically calibrates itself when you change the drums. I also like this meter because it uses the SIP technique which allows it to use a very small amount of blood. You can also do alernative site testing with it. There are 102 tests per box of drums so it is really equivalent to the other bottles of test strips.


In my opinion Accu Chek has the nicest lancing devise on the market and that was a big part of my decision to use one of their meters. It is my understand that Life Scan is coming out with a new lancing devise but I haven't seen it yet.


So I hope I have given you some food for thought. If you have a diabetes clinic near you ask them to show you the various meters and discuss the pros and cons with them. If you have insurance which covers your supplies you need to check with them about what theya re willing to pay for. Both my husband and I had to change our meters when our drug coverage wouldn't cover our perfectly good meters. We both changed to the Compact and that makes it easier if I run out of strips to use his for example. (This decidely teed me off!)


Cheers and hope you will stay around to join our conversation,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


Avatar for cl_d_minnick
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 08-04-2004 - 3:27am

Well, I can think of only 2 new testes off the top of my head.



  1. BD Logic that uses a super small drop only you do not need to drop it on the strip just place the center of the strip inline with the drop and it sucks up what it needs on its own.

  2. Accu-Chek also has a new one called Compact only I have do not know anything about it since I have never used one before, but I am sure somebody who has can tell you all about it.

I sure hope this helps you and that you find just the right one to use for yourself. Also you might try calling your insurance company to see what equipment the cover sspecifically blood sugar testing meters that way you know what is and is not covered by your insurance. I say this only due to hearing that some insurance companies will only cover certain brands out there so you should first see what they do have in the way of coverage. Take care and do have a great day!

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Avatar for moon627
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-04-2004 - 5:41pm
Thank you all for the great information. The compact with the built-in strips sounds the best but i should check with my insurance company just in case. I'll let you know what i end up with. Thanks again !

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2004
Fri, 08-06-2004 - 9:20am
One Touch Ultra also, but I use a Leader lancer. The test strips are about a dollar each and I ruin a few trying to put them in the meter, but I like the fast test and the way it wicks up the blood. (takes less blood than my old Leader and the test is faster) Still use the Lancer and lancets from the Leader because they hurt less. (I buy the real fine lancets for it) It's easy to see the depth of penatration you set it to.

Joan