Glucometer is a device that shows the sugar value in your blood. There is Type 1 it is the most necessary to measure daily and type 2 diabetes depends upon the amount of sugar content in the blood. There is always precaution that is better than cure.
It is always not as accurate as a lab test but it will give an idea about your sugar level.
How many tests are needed to check for diabetes?
There are mainly 3 types of test doctor prescribed for diabetes.
- Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
- Glucose Challenge Test
- Random Plasma Test
- Hemoglobin A1C Test
These are the test usually the doctor prescribes for diabetes
Fasting Plasma glucose test
This test is done after 8 hours of fasting. According to the Doctor, The result of this test is most reliable in the morning time before taking breakfast. This must be below 99 mg/dL
Oral glucose tolerance test
This test is costlier than FPG (Fasting Plasma Glucose ) test and it takes time to give results. This test is mostly checked for Type 2 Diabetes.
In this test, health care takes blood after 8 hours of fasting. Later they give a sugar solution to drink or after taking food. Then they take a blood sample to test after 2 hours of sugar solution intake.
It must be 100 -120 mg/dL. This is the condition for normal.
In case of pregnancy, they take blood to check sugar levels at the interval of 2 to 3 hours. if they found more than 2 times sugar level is high then they consider it as Gestational Diabetes. It helps Doctors treat diabetes otherwise make it crucial while giving birth to a child.
Glucose challenge test
This test mostly Doctors prefer for pregnant ladies. They check Gestational Diabetes in pregnant women by taking blood samples after 1 hour of giving sweet liquid containing glucose.
If the sugar level is above 135 mg to 145 mg or above then they prefer to test an Oral Glucose tolerance test while fasting.
Random Plasma Test
This test can be done randomly. It does not need whether you have eaten or not you can do this test. Doctors mostly prescribe when they don’t want to wait or in mid-day or evening time.
Hemoglobin A1C Test
This checks the hemoglobin percentage in the blood. For normal it must be within 5.7%, and for pre-diabetic 5.7 – 6.4%, and above 6.5% is for diabetic patients.
3 best glucometer
Taking precautions is better than curing. If you are a diabetic patient then you must have these glucometers. It is easy to maintain diabetes by taking regular readings.
As we discuss Glucometer does not have that much as accuracy like lab test but you get an idea about sugar level.
All these glucometers are good in accuracy and all test strips are also available in the market. You can make a record of daily tests.
The important thing you must check before you buy
- The lifetime of test strips is 4 months, so must check the expiration date
- The life of a Quality control kit is about 3 months musk check
- Must check the warranty.
Conclusion
Glucometers are essential tools for individuals with diabetes, as they provide accurate and reliable measurements of blood glucose levels.
These devices are user-friendly, allowing for convenient self-monitoring at home or on the go. The portability and convenience of glucometers enable frequent testing, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their medication, diet, and lifestyle choices.
Additionally, many glucometers offer data management features, allowing users to track their glucose levels over time and share data with healthcare providers for better management and treatment adjustments. It is important to note that glucometers may have a margin of error and occasional calibration and quality control checks are recommended.
Overall, glucometers have revolutionized diabetes care by putting the power of monitoring and managing blood glucose levels directly in the hands of individuals with diabetes.
