Scientists have developed clever little instruments that are able to determine, precisely, how much glucose is present in a drop of blood. These instruments are called blood glucose meters, and they can show you just how many millimoles of glucose are present in a liter of blood.
The reading is presented on the meters display panel in numbers ranging from 0.5 to 27.7 millomoles per liter (mmol/1).
Many blood glucose meters now available include a memory that records your blood glucose reading and then plays them back when you or your doctor want to see how well you were doing last week or last night.
These palm-sized units are relatively inexpensive and are both accurate and reliable. Some of the more expensive models have voice synthesizers that call out the measurements.
Along with the meter, monitoring requires a drop of blood for analysis. You stick your finger with a sharp needle called a lancet to get this drop of blood and then place the drop on a pad that has been infused with chemicals. The blood triggers a chemical reaction in the pad, which indicates the concentration of glucose, and the meter can read this reaction and convert it into numerical values you see on the display panel.
All this complication reaction, reading and conversion into numbers takes place in seconds -usually about sixty seconds. To make things easier, manufacturers have developed finger sticking devices that reduce pain and discomfort some people feel when they stick their own fingers.
Many of the newer meters are practically foolproof. But none is fully automatic; you must learn to prick your finger and apply the drop of blood to a pad and then follow the meter manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the instrument.
Your diabetes educator or doctor can advise you about meter choices – there are many on the market – and teach you how to use the proper procedures to ensure accurate measurements.
Many health insurance companies will reimburse subscribers for meters and blood glucose measuring strips – with written orders from a doctor. This reimbursement, of course, is subject to the deductible and co-insurance restrictions of your health plan.
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