Blood glucose meter is a portable device is something that all diabetics cannot live without. Constantly monitoring blood glucose fluctuations is very important since blood glucose values often dictate how the healthcare team attending the patient can best deliver treatment.

But, blood glucose monitoring is most important for parents whose children were diagnosed with diabetes, specifically type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. These parents need to monitor their children’s glucose levels so that appropriate measures can be set in place and so that the onset of symptoms can be staved off. But, above all, children who depend entirely on insulin injections need to keep watch of their blood glucose levels. Doing so will not only help them find a rest from constantly shooting up blood glucose levels, but will help them function more normally.

So what is type 1 diabetes? Also called juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes is a condition that is charcaterized by the pancreas’ lack of capacity to produce its own insulin. Insulin is the hormone that allows the delivery of glucose into individual cells to give them energy. Without this ability, all cells in the body will lack the energy to continue performing at their optimal capacity, leaving the patient very weak and bodily functions compromised. Also, without insulin, the bloodstream will be flooded with so much glucose or sugar, which leads to a host of uncomfortable diabetes symptoms.

To prevent symptoms like frequent urination, increased thirst, increased appetite, constant fatigue and others, patients to keep blood glucose levels under control. Among the best ways of doing so is by using blood glucose meter.

Blood glucose meter comes in all shapes and sizes, and depending on the manufacturer and brand, in a variety of technologies. To know which one can help the patient best, the following pointers can be considered:

Insurance

Like blood glucose meters manufacturers, insurance companies also provide coverage for the device, but not usually on the test strips. Be sure to check with your provider regarding the coverage your kid will get in terms of his diabetic expenses.

Cost

This device come in cheap, in fact, many manufacturers even give it away for free. So you shouldn’t be paying a lot for a blood glucose meter. But, remember that these companies do not give their products away at a very low cost because of purely altruistic reasons. You should beware of the test strips that are used alongside this device. When considering a blood glucose meter, check first the price of the test strips that are compatible with the product. This should be anywhere from 50 cents to one dollar per strip. You might use three or more of these strips every day to continually monitor your child’s blood glucose levels.

Built-in memory

Some blood glucose meters come with built-in memory that is powerful enough to record up to a few hundred readings. If your kid manages to be with his own a lot, you should try getting him one that has good memory capacity so you can keep track of the trends on the fluctuations of blood glucose levels.

Ease of use

Look for convenience when buying a glucometer. Your child should be able to use it on his own without supervision to see whether it is easy enough to be used. It should also be light enough to be carried around since your kid will have to take it with him on a constant basis. If you or your child has vision problems, it is best to stick with a glucometer that has a mid-sized to large display screen so both of you would not have difficulty reading the values.

The all-in-one blood glucose meters do have some very distinct advantages over the older-type blood glucose meters. The new all-in-one meters are smaller, lighter, and much easier to use on the go than the older versions. These new meters will fit right into your backpack, your sport bag, your briefcase, or your purse.

The new all-in-one meters are easy to use. They do make sampling blood much simpler and much more convenient. There are several different models of these meters, and you can choose the one that meets your specific needs better.

* One big advantage of most all-in-one blood glucose meters is the elimination for the need to handle test strips. Some models come with a preloaded drum that contains the necessary test strips.

* There are also models that have a drum of test strips but with a built-in meter. These units are disposable. When you run out of test strips or the test strips expire, you simply dispose of the entire unit.

* Some brands of all-in-one meters have lancets that can be used either attached to the meter or removed from the meter, used, and then reattached.

* One big advantage of all of the all-in-one meters is that all of the equipment needed to perform a blood glucose test is right there in one piece of equipment. You don’t have to carry the meter, the lancet, and the test strips separately.

* The all-in-one meters require a smaller blood sample than their older cousins.

* The all-in-one meters are small and light. One such model weighs only 4.2 ounces.

* The all-in-one meters are relatively inexpensive. They are priced between $30 and $35.

While the meter can be used for years, the blood glucose test strips may only be used only once, so they are a consumable item.

The blood glucose test strips contain chemicals that react with a drop of blood. Most of these blood glucose test strips are small plastic strips with a small spot on one end that is impregnated with glucose oxidase and other compounds. A few models of test meters use discs rather than strips, and these discs can be used for taking several readings before they must be discarded.

Test strips can vary from production batch to production batch, so some models of blood glucose test meters require the user to enter a code that is stamped on the strip container. Sometimes the code is stamped on a chip that comes with the test strips.

Entering the code number is done to calibrate the blood glucose test meter to work correctly with that particular batch of test strips. It is vital that the code be entered correctly in order to assure an accurate blood glucose reading. An incorrectly coded blood glucose meter can cause the user to make an error in the insulin needed — and those kind of errors can be fatal to those who are insulin dependent.

Blood glucose test strips also can vary in the time needed for an accurate reading. The time can vary from 3 to 60 seconds depending upon the brand.