On Tue, 2 Feb 2021 14:37:44 +0000, Peter Able wrote:

On 02/02/2021 13:50, Caecilius wrote:
On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 20:28:15 +0000, Peter Able wrote:

On 01/02/2021 13:46, Caecilius wrote:
I want to monitor my blood glucose as I have a family history of
diabetes and have been diagnosed as early stage prediabetic. My GP
says I don't need to do this and should monitor once per year with a
blood test. I'd rather monitor it myself as well, so I think this
counts as DIY.

I'm confused by the large number of meters & test strips available,
and most articles I read are either marketing puff or clickbait that
ends up talking about what meters do and why its useful, which I know
already.

Just wondering if anyone on the forum has any opinions on a meter
that:

a) Is simple & inexpensive (I don't need bluetooth, app integration
etc)
b) Is reasonably accurate (I'd hope they all need to meet an accuracy
standard anyway)
c) Has test strips that are reasonably cheap and easily available.

I'll only be measuring a couple of times a day at home, so no need for
"lifestyle" stuff.


You'd be mad to buy one - and if you weren't mad, you soon would be due
to the variations you'd see.

IMHO, Hb1Ac testing and common-sense is the way to go. Alas, the NHS
can only dispense the former.

PA

Too late for that - I've already bought a meter & strips based on a
recommendation earlier in this thread.

A total of £50 is cheap in my mind, and isn't a lot to waste even if
it ends up being pointless. I can't see it doing any harm.


See how you get on, then - but try not to get too stressed by the
variations.

just one bit of advice. Don't use the ball of your finger - use the
side of the finger at the ball-point. Just as good flow for the test
and you don't end up with crocodile skin just where you rely on touch
the most. Plus you don't get blood on everything you then touch...

Good tip, thanks.