Diabetes is a global health issue. The reports show that 1.2 million people are affected with diabetes annually. The increase in cases is due to inactive lifestyles, genetics, and consumption of processed foods.

The condition leads to severe complications affecting many vital organs. Early diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes can save from life-threatening consequences.

A diabetic person should regularly monitor blood glucose levels. Some patients find it difficult and irritating to visit the clinic after every few days. The innovation of technology has offered a solution to this problem.

There are many devices in the market that measure blood glucose with ease. Now, you can know the status of glucose within a few minutes. You can follow the instructions in the manual and learn how to use them.

If you are unfamiliar with these devices – it is time for you to learn about them. This article is the perfect place and gives you essential information about blood glucose measuring devices.

What is Diabetes

Diabetes is also known as blood glucose – a metabolic condition in which the level of glucose in the blood increases abnormally.

Symptoms of diabetes are sudden weight loss, blurry vision, frequent urination, fatigue, and mood changes. Kidney failure, heart complications, and damage to blood vessels are results of diabetes.

Diabetes can occur at any age but is more common in people above age 45. Luckily, diabetes is a manageable disease that requires medication and lifestyle changes.

We celebrate diabetes day on 14th November. There are different campaigns to raise public awareness on the issue.

  6 Blood Glucose Measuring Devices 

Blood glucose measuring devices are quick, effective, and easy to use. These devices are easily available and offer additional features.

Here are 6 effective devices to monitor your blood sugar level.

1. Dario Blood Glucose Meter 

Dario blood glucose meter is an innovative technology that uses mobile apps to show results. It’s a pocket-friendly device – you can carry it anywhere. The device shows results with 95% accuracy.

Components

The Dario blood glucose meter consists of following components

• Glucometer
• Strips
• Lancets

How to Use 

1. Release the orange slider of the device and pull out the meter.
2. Carefully insert the meter into the port of your mobile device.

• Open the Dario app and wait for the message “Insert a new strip”.

1. Take out a new tester and insert it into the meter in an upward direction.
2. You will see a message on the screen saying – “Place a drop of blood”.
3. Before taking a blood sample, clean and disinfect your finger with alcohol.

• Place your finger against the lancet opening and press the orange release button.
• Touch the finger with a drop of blood to the tester to see the results.

1. After a few seconds, you will see a blood sugar report on the screen.
2. The data is saved in a mobile app that you can see anytime.
3. People above 18 years can use the kit to measure their sugar levels.

Additional Features 

Here are the additional features of the Dario app

• Tracks physical activity
• Inform about carb intake
• Offer amazing meal plans
• Measure blood pressure

2. Caresens N Plus Blood Glucose Kit

Caresens N plus blood glucose kit is one of the most effective blood glucose measuring devices that gives accurate and precise results. The kit is travel-friendly and easy to handle. It uses a minimal volume of 0.5 microliter blood to test blood sugar.

Strips and lancets are refillable and for single use. Don’t share the lancet device with anyone to avoid infections. The components of the kit are in a pouch to keep them safe.

Components

The kit consist of following parts

• 100 Lancets
• Test Strips
• Meter
• Lancet Device
• Control Solution
• Battery

How to Use 

1. Wash hands with soap, and warm water and completely dry them.
2. Thoroughly read the manual and instruction guide that comes with the kit.

• Carefully take a lancet and adjust the lancet device to prick the finger.

1. Twist off the top of the device to reveal the small needle and set the depth reading.
2. Take a strip from the bottle and insert it properly in the meter to get a reading.
3. Prick the finger with a lancet device to draw a small volume of blood.

• Touch the finger with a strip and allow the blood to draw inside the strip.
• The meter will beep and show the reading on the device.

3. Eversense CGM 

Eversense continuous glucose monitoring system is FDA-approved. It stays in the body for up to 180 days. It has a light-based technology to measure blood glucose. It detects blood glucose with the help of a fluorescent-coated sensor.

Components

Eversense CGM system consists of the following 3 components

• A sensor
• A transmitter
• A mobile app

How To Use 

1. Insert a small black colored transmitter just under the skin.
2. The transmitter activates the sensor by wirelessly powering the sensor.

• Upon activation, the sensor flashes an LED light source and gives fluorescence.

1. The glucose binds to the fluorescence – the sensor detects its amount.
2. The transmitter receives the data and calculates the glucose concentration.
3. Download the Eversense CGM app and track the blood glucose on it.

• You can also sense an on-body vibration alert when glucose concentration increases.

Additional Features 

CGM blood sugar measuring device has some additional features which enable you to send data to others.

• Send data to an email or cloud-based application.
• Download the data on a personal computer.
• Share the information with the doctor or family members.
• Send results to up to 5 people with the “My Circle Feature”.

4. Contour Next Blood Glucose Testing Strips 

The device monitors blood glucose level at home with ease. This device offers 90% accurate results. It gives results after a few seconds of drawing blood in the test strip attached to the glucometer.

Components

It consists of the following components

• An instruction manual to guide the user
• A carrying case for storage and easy transport
• A glucometer to register the blood sugar level
• An airtight vial of refillable test strips for blood sample
• A lancet device to  puncture the finger for a drop of blood

How To Use 

1. Clean the finger with warm water and soap or disinfect with alcohol – completely dry the finger.
2. To turn on the glucometer, insert the test strip into the port of the glucometer.

• The glucometer will turn on and show a picture of a flashing drop of blood – indicating to apply the blood sample.

1. Take the help of a lancet device to draw a small volume of blood – prick the side of your finger with the lancet and press your finger firmly.
2. Touch the finger with blood drop to the end of the strip having a black solid line in the middle.
3. After a few seconds of adding blood to the strip, you will see a glucose reading on the device.

• The strip is for one-time use – discard the strip and pack the remaining parts of the kit safely in the bag.
• The device has a memory inside it to record the previous data for analysis and comparison.

5. Dexcom G6 CGM

Dexcom G6 CGM is one of the most reliable FDA-approved blood glucose measuring devices. The device allows blood glucose monitoring for people above 2 years of age.

Insert the sensor in your abdominal region. The sensor in Dexcom G6 CGM lasts for up to 10 days. You can connect sensors to mobile, laptops, smart watches, etc.

The device offers results with 91% accuracy. It doesn’t need blood to measure the sugar level.

Componets

The kit consists of following parts

• Glucometer
• Sensor
• Transmitter

How To  Use 

1. Clean the targeted area of skin with the help of an alcohol swab and let it dry.
2. Place the sensor on the skin and press it – remove the safety latch.

• Press the big orange button to insert the sensor into the skin and smooth out the tape.

1. Place the transmitter by inserting the pointy end in the sensor and simply click it.
2. Start the sensor either in the receiver or download an application on your mobile phone.
3. Open the app and click on the new sensor – manually enter the code of the sensor.

• A blue circle will appear and say “2 hours warm-up started”– you’ll see reading after the warm-up phase.
• After 2 hours of warming up, you’ll receive the reading in your mobile app.

6. Guardian Connect System

Guardian Connect system is also FDA-approved. You can insert this blood glucose monitoring device in the skin for 7 days. Experts recommend it for people between 14-75 years of age. The preferred location for insertion is the abdomen and back of the upper arms.

Components 

The components of the guardian connect system are as follows

• One press serter to insert the sensor
• Enlite sensor

1. Pedestal
2. Needle housing

• Sensor

1. Clean liner

• Sensor overtape to securely attach the sensor
• Guardian connect transmitter

How to Use 

1. The first step is to always clean the selected area of skin with alcohol and let it dry completely.
2. Take out the sensor from the package by gently holding the plastic pedestal.

• Place the sensor along with the pedestal on a clean, dry surface i.e., a table or a bench.

1. Push the serter down onto the sensor and pedestal until you hear a clicking sound.
2. Slowly pull the serter in the upward direction to detach it from the pedestal.
3. After detachment from the pedestal – serter has a sensor inside it.

• To insert the sensor – hold the serter against the chosen site of the skin, and press buttons on the side of the serter.
• Don’t quickly pull off the serter – give time to the adhesive to properly stick to the skin.

1. After 1-2 minutes, slowly pull the serter away from the skin and carefully remove the insertion needle.
2. Download the app and get continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels – you’ll also receive notifications and alerts.

Benefits Of Blood Glucose Measuring Devices 

Following are the benefits of blood glucose measuring devices

1. Ease of Use 

It saves you from visiting a physician’s clinic now and then. You can measure blood glucose levels at home with ease. You are good to go after carefully reading the instruction manual.

2. Transportable 

These devices are travel-friendly. You can carry them anywhere you go. These come with packaging boxes and pouches to keep all things in one place. The kit doesn’t feel like a burden in your luggage.

3. Accuracy 

Before release in the market, the devices are tested on the patients several times. They conduct test results with repeated trials to check efficacy. The accuracy of most devices is above 90%.

4. Additional Features 

Blood sugar monitoring devices come with many additional features. These can connect to Bluetooth, mobile devices, and laptops. It gives notifications and alerts. The app gives a meal plan and updates your health status.

Conclusion 

The rise of diabetes is a global concern. The number of cases is increasing every year. The alarming situation demands research and new diagnostic methods.

Many devices are available in the market that cater to the need. Regular monitoring is crucial for diabetic patients. The doctor’s visit is not very exciting for them.

However, now you can check diabetes in just a few minutes while staying at home. To get an accurate reading, read the guide and instructions that come with the kit.

These are easy-to-use, quick, and reliable methods. The popularity of these devices has increased and many people rely on them.

You should check your glucose level several times a day and record your progress. Engage yourself in health activities, plan a proper diet schedule, and stick to it. The disease is manageable with a little effort.

You should take preventive measures to save yourself from diabetes. And, if you’re a diabetic patient – buy one of these devices, monitor regularly, and take care of your health.

I hope this article helps you understand the dynamics of these blood glucose measuring devices.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1.    How frequently should I check my blood glucose level?

Physicians recommend monitoring blood glucose levels several times a day. It is ideal to check before meals, 2 hours after meals, and before bedtime.

2.    Can I check my blood glucose level without blood?

Yes, there are many blood glucose measuring devices that don’t need any blood. For example, CGM systems, guardian connect systems, D-base, freestyle libre, etc.

3.    Do blood sugar monitoring devices give results with accuracy?

Yes, the accuracy level of most devices is above 90%. You can check your blood glucose level anytime, anywhere with accuracy.

4.    What are the additional benefits of using these glucose-monitoring devices?

Some of the devices connect to the mobile applications. You can store and share data with anyone. It gives vibrational alerts and keeps track of your health progress.