Glucometers
Gone are the days when there were just a handful of glucometers to choose from. Nowadays you may come across a plethora of meters, each with its own price, style and accuracy. When it comes to selecting the right one, many factors come into play and it’s important to pick one that's right for you. Here are some common factors that adds to the dilemma of picking the right one:
- Insurance coverage
- Out of pocket cost
- Features in the meter
- Ease of use
- Accuracy
The intent of this article is to provide a glimpse into what has been researched in the world of glucometers and which ones prevailed as being most accurate.
Here are the ones that made it to the top 6. This is based off of a study published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.
Note: Often insurance may play a role on which one you use due to cost. Talk to your care team if there is one you are keen on trying from the list below and insurance coverage is an issue.
Ketone Urine Strips and Ketometers
Note: For people with diabetes, do make sure to have either one of the below testing kits for home ketone measurement.
Ketones can be measured either by urine or blood. Click here to learn more about Ketones.
Urine ketone strips are commonly recommended as they are more cost effective, easy to use and readily available at pharmacies. Here are a few examples:
A ketometer measures ketone levels by calculating the amount of beta-hydroxybutyrate in the blood, the primary type of ketone produced, either intentionally when following a very carb restricted diet or unintentionally when at risk for DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). There are no published studies testing the accuracy of the various ketometers yet. Below are examples of some common ones available:
A ketometer is generally a better method to check for ketone production indicative of DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) as compared to urine ketones, as the beta-hydroxybutyrate levels are significantly higher than another type of ketone called acetoacetate in the presence of DKA. Click here to learn more about preventing DKA.
If you are interested in trying a ketometer, talk to your care team, so a prescription can be sent to see if your insurance covers it for you.
Reference: https://www.diabetestechnology.org/surveillance.shtml