In diabetes, maintaining proper glucose levels is vital to the proper maintenance of the disease. While levels are ensured by the use of a glucose meter, their readings can vary in accuracy. Knowing your meter and how these readings can be affected is as important as the meter itself.
As with any other device, different makes and models are priced differently. This is not the time to go with the cheapest version, as it is too important of an area to try to base the decision on saving a few dollars. There is so much more to consider.
Glucose meter accuracy is based on guidelines established by the International Organization of Standards. According to one of their statistics, any model can be off by as much as 20 percent. For a diabetic, that is too much of a difference. Another statistic shows that any meter is typically only accurate around 95 percent of the time.
Meter accuracy also involves more than the unit itself. Temperature, humidity, cleanliness of the unit and the test strips, quality of the blood sample and the age of the test strips all affect the accuracy. Even where the meter is stored or transported can work against you by affecting its calibration.
When shopping for a meter it is important to look at any feedback that can be obtained from past customers. This will give you a wealth of information as to the accuracy of a particular model. It will also give you insight as to the convenience and ease of use. Arming yourself with these details will give you a much better chance of purchasing a unit that will best fit your needs.
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