New Choices in Blood Glucose Monitors
Keeping up with your blood sugar can be a hassle. Find the best monitor to fit your budget and lifestyle in our review.
Article By: Brian Hickey, Reviewed by: Jessica Smerling, RD
When you're working to lose weight and have diabetes, blood glucose control is important to your success. Finding a blood glucose monitor that fits your needs may help.
While the $25 no-frills monitors do a competent job, the four models below are especially suited to people with diabetes with specific needs and preferences. Whether you want convenience or freedom from needles, there's a model just for you.
Talk to your doctor to find out which one is best for what you need.
Results in Seconds
The palm-sized LifeScan OneTouch Ultra 2 System ($65) yields results within five seconds using just a speck of blood from a finger or forearm. This makes it easy to monitor your blood sugar before, after or even during a workout.
No Finger Sticks
To give your fingertips a break, choose one of the several monitors that offer alternate-site testing, which means getting a blood sample from the palm, forearm, thigh or calf. Just talk to your doctor about when and if you can use alternate-site samples.
- Accu-Chek Aviva ($25)
- The Sidekick from Home Diagnostics ($25)
- LifeScan OneTouch Ultra 2 (see above)
- Bayer Healthcare’s Ascensia Microlet Vaculance
Lancing Device ($18, shown at left)
All in One
Roche Diagnostics now offers a version of its Accu-Chek Compact Plus System ($20) which keeps everything you need—test strips and lancet—all in one place.
Continuous Monitors
The DexCom STS Continuous Glucose Sensor ($950) regularly monitors levels without you having to do a thing. It does, however, involve having a small wirelike sensor inserted into your abdomen. It automatically takes a reading every five minutes for up to 72 hours. You can connect the device to your computer with a cable to download your blood sugar info for the past several days and nights
MedTronic’s MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time Insulin Pump and Continuous Monitoring System continuously monitors your blood sugar and displays your blood sugar level. Web-based software allows you to graph your blood-sugar levels over days and weeks. About the Writer
Brian Hickey is the managing editor of the Philadelphia City Paper and has written for Details, Men's Health and Philadelphia Magazine.
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