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Please remember all changes in insulin regimens must be discussed with your diabetes team first!!!  Below is information to assist you in being more informed when speaking with them.

Check out our new section of diabetes related terms!

Blood Glucose Testing

Testing can be done using the tips of the fingers, as well as Alternate Site Testing (AST) on such places as the sides of the hands, the forearm and the leg.  When in doubt or if a low is suspected always use the finger tip for most reliable results.  While most people do not find a time lag when using AST, current research recommends that lows be monitored through finger testing. 

Why is it important to test? 

In order to properly control your diabetes, it is important to know what you blood glucose levels are.  Too high or too low can lead to disastrous complications.

When to test?

This depends on if you have Type 1 Diabetes or not and how active you are. Current Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice guidelines suggest 6 times per day.  Many doctors suggest testing before each meal, before, after and during strenuous  physical activity, and before bed.  It may also be preferable to test at least once throughout the night to ensure that night-time basal insulins are working properly. Please consult with your diabetes team to see how often you should test your blood glucose levels. 

Please remember that the above information is simply a guideline and in no way replaces medical advise.  Please speak with your doctor or diabetes care professional to determine what blood glucose levels are optimal for your care.  The above guidelines are based on the Canadian Diabetes Association's 2003 Clinical Practice Guidelines. 

Glucometers come in all shapes and sizes. Check out our new reviews and opinions on the latest meters...

Accu-Chek Aviva  Comes with six lancets in a preloaded drum. Gives results in 5 seconds and provides up to 4 test reminders throughout the day. Wide, easy to handle strips require sample size of only .6 µL of blood.

 AccuChek Nano

This cute new meter from AccuChek is big in features. Its large screen and great backlighting make it great to see readings whether you have vision problems or are just trying to read your meter in the dark.  It has large, easy to handle test strips which require a surprisingly small amount of blood.  The test strips quickly suck up blood and begins its 5 second count down.  The only drawback that we see with this meter is that AccuChek continues to rely on coding chips with each new box of test strips.  These "chips" must be inserted and matched with each new box of test strips. This does reduce coding errors but we always remain cautious and fearful of losing that chip before you have put it in the meter.  The Nano also has some interesting looking software that allows meter readings (which you can mark as pre-meal, post-meal, and general test) to be downloaded to your computer Our rating....****

Ascensia® CONTOUR™ Blood Glucose Monitoring System requires no coding of strips. Uses .6 µL blood  sample. Results in 15 seconds. Can be used to do AST. No backlight.

FreeStyle Lite Meter

Many of the same great features seen on the FreeStyle Mini but the new lite meter does not require coding! Same small sample size, same 5 second reading, as well as backlight, test strip lighting, and AST testing. Our rating....*****

FreeStyle Mini can be used for Alternate Site Testing (AST)

  AST.  Testing on the forearm with the FreeStyle ™ Mini

Our rating....****

One Touch Ultra Mini

This compact little meter comes in a variety of colors including grey, pink, green and black! It uses small Ultra strips that suck up minimal blood and provide quick results. This meter has no backlight but does offer an AST cap for its lancing devise.  Our rating....**** 

OneTouch® Ultra®2

It uses end-fill test strips that are very easy to fill and take only 1 microliter of blood. The strip is is touchable and is approved for alternative sites.  Besides now offering 3 easy to use buttons, the OneTouch Ultra2 has the ability to mark a reading as pre-meal or post-meal to help you learn about the effects of various foods on blood glucose levels.

Key features of the OneTouch Ultra2 include:
* Fast test results -- 5 seconds
* Small blood volume (1 microliter)
* Alternative site testing
* Small size and weight (easily fits in a kid's T-shirt pocket)
* End-fill test strips that can be touched
* Widest temperature range of any strip
* A 500-test memory for storing blood sugar readings
* 14- and 30-day averaging
* Large, easy-to-read display
* Data interface port
* Uses two lithium watch batteries, one for the meter (rated for approximately 1,000 tests) and one for the backlight
* Displays blood sugar readings in mg/dL or mmol/L (factory set per country)
* Three year warranty

Important information on Ketone Testing

Two recent studies (February 2006) demonstrate clear medical benefit from blood ketone testing. The first study (Diabetic Medicine 23 (3),
278-284) showed a significant reduction in hospitalizations during sick days (38 vs. 75 per 100 patient days) for people who used blood ketone testing compared with urine ketones testing. Staying out of the hospital is a very powerful argument for using blood ketone testing. The second study (Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 Feb;8(1):67-75) showed that, for patients using insulin pumps, blood ketone testing could identify interruptions in insulin flow faster and more accurately than even blood glucose monitoring and could thus help pumpers prevent DKA better than if they didn't use blood ketone testing.

From Jeff Hitchcock, www.childrenwithdiabetes.com   See their Care Suggestions page for more information.

Meter Fun!

“Myabetic creates and develops innovative, appealing, and functional products that encourage active health management for people living with diabetes. Our diabetes accessories are designed specifically to reflect your individual style.  It's your health.  Personalize your treatment.”

Skins can often be found to make meters and pumps a little more fun and personal.

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