Over 7 million people with diabetes are undiagnosed. And more than 1 in 3 are prediabetic. In today’s times, it has become imperative to monitor your blood sugar levels. This task is made simple and affordable with a device called the Glucometer.
A glucometer is a compact medical device that determines the concentration of glucose levels in your blood. All it needs is a drop of blood! And you can use it sitting at home or anywhere. No more scary blood tests and long queues!
This is how a glucometer works.
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How Does a Glucometer Work?
The glucometer comes with a sterile finger-punching needle to draw a drop of blood. Then, you place the blood drop on to the glucose sensor strip.
The glucose molecules in your blood undergo chemical reaction on the sensor strip. Finally, the concentration of blood glucose is displayed on the screen.
Good To Know
According to Harvard Medical School, average blood glucose levels (after 8-hour fasting) are:
- Normal: less than 100 mg/dL
- High risk: 100-125 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher
With technological advancements, glucometers have become portable, ‘smart’, and compatible with various platforms/devices.
Here are the top 10 glucometers available today in India-
10 Best Glucometers In Indian Markets You Can Trust
1. Accu-Chek Active Blood Glucose Meter Kit, Vial of 10 strips free (Multicolor)
Accu-Chek Active Blood Glucose Meter Kit is one of the most accurate systems. It meets the latest global accuracy standards ISO 15197:2013. The kit can also be synced to ‘my Sugr’ app on smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices.
The Active kit allows you to re-dose blood sample within 10 seconds in case the first application is insufficient.
Rating: 4.7/5
2. OneTouch Select Simple Glucometer
OneTouch Select Simple Glucometer is the simplest blood glucose monitoring system in the market. Its audio signals and ColourSure™ technology instantly show when your blood glucose numbers are in or out of range
This glucometer requires no coding or set-up. The best part is that it requires very little sample- just 1microlitre of your blood.
Rating: 4.5/5
3. Contour Plus One Blood Glucose Monitoring System Glucometer
Contour Plus ONE kit is known for its huge memory which can record up to 800 test results. It gives you 1 minute-window for second-chance sampling. This avoids the pain from repeated piercing and wasting multiple strips.
The Contour app helps in maintaining your blood sugar data. It also helps in fixing appointment schedules with your doctor.
Rating: 4.2/5
4. BeatO Smartphone Glucometer Kit
BeatO Smartphone Glucometer Kit is India’s 1st smartphone-connected glucometer. It is CE and ISO certified with clinically-proven accuracy. The kit contains the glucometer, test strips (50 Count), sterile lancet needles (50 Count), pain-free lancing device.
BeatO system has an innovative design and comes with a waterproof pouch- both making it portable yet safe. It fits seamlessly via the 3.5 mm audio jack of your smartphone.
Rating: 4/5
5. Dr. Morepen BG-03 Gluco One Glucometer Combo
The BG-03 Gluco One Glucometer is known for its small blood sample volume. It needs less than a drop (0.5microlitres) of your blood to give fast and accurate results.
It can store up to 300 test results for your reference. The large display screen makes it easier for elders to view the readings.
Rating: 4/5
6. Dr Trust Fully Automatic Blood Sugar Testing Glucometer Machine
Dr Trust glucometer is one of the technically advanced glucometers engineered in the US. It avoids interference from blood oxygen variations- which none of the other systems considers.
One of its unique features includes reporting ketone levels in your blood. This will help in preventing a serious side effect of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Rating: 4.2/5
7. Apollo Sugar Smart Glucometer
Apollo Sugar Smart glucometer gives you accurate glucose levels. Thanks to the precisely designed Gold Plated strips. This is a connected device which does not need WiFi, internet, or audio port connections. It can store unlimited test results which are accessible on the ‘Apollo Sugar’ app.
The results can be shared with your Health Coach, doctors, dieticians, and diabetes educators.
Rating: 4/5
8. Alere G1 Glucometer
Alere G1 is an easy-to-use, cost-effective blood glucose self-test kit. The company offers excellent after-sales support to deal with inaccuracy issues.
It comes with sterile test strips in the package. The kit gives comparable results with tests performed at laboratories.
Rating: 3.8/5
9. Avantor Glucosphera Automated Blood Glucose Monitor
GlucoSphera is India’s first ultra-low volume glucose monitor machine. It is a fully automatic device which produces highly accurate results in just about 5 seconds.
This glucometer comes with a large LCD screen giving you a clutter-free display. It needs no manual coding and hence reduces handling steps.
Rating: 3.8/5
10. Glucocard 01 Mini-Auto Coding Glucometer Kit
The Glucocard 01 Mini-Auto Coding Glucometer kit is compact and needs no manual coding. It needs minute sample quantities to analyze, thus making the self-test less painful.
Rating: 3.5/5
Before you order yourself a glucometer, there are a few points to keep in mind. Check out our buyer’s guide below.
Points To Consider While Buying A Glucometer
You should do your research thoroughly before investing in a glucometer. Since this is a biosensor, a number of factors can affect its functioning. You shouldn’t compare two devices from different manufacturers because each one offers a unique feature.
Most common features/factors to look out for are:
1. Accuracy:
This is the most important factor to consider. Accuracy is determined by the quality of- your test strip and your meter. Several biological factors influence the accuracy of a glucometer.
Read the user manual or website for more details. Buy only FDA approved devices as they have about 95% accuracy.
2. Test Time:
The latest technology allows results to be processed in as little as 5 seconds. Such glucometers can be expensive. This doesn’t mean other devices will longer test time are less accurate.
3. Sample Volume:
Most glucometers need a single drop of blood (1 to 0.5 microlitres). The lancet needles are designed to cause as less pain as possible while drawing blood. If you can’t see a lot of blood, these devices will work best for you.
4. Markers/Flags:
Recently launched glucometers come with flags or markers to indicate types of readings. They can indicate ‘pre-meal/fasting’, ‘post-meal’, ‘random’ blood sugar levels. These markers make recording your test results less confusing.
Some advanced options show ‘HbA1c’ and ‘ketones’ levels too. Consult your doctor to understand their relationship with diabetes.
5. Memory and Data Transfer:
Glucometers come with built-in memory/storage. Depending on their capacity, they can store anywhere between 500 to unlimited test results. Archiving your results can be useful to monitor and decide the course of medication.
Data transfer options on smartphones and other devices make your test results accessible. You can share them directly with your doctor, diabetes experts, family, dietician, fitness coach, etc.
Most of the companies ask you to install their application on your smart devices to enable data transfer/sync.
6. Test Strips and Lancets:
Check for test strips and lancets (needle or puncher) while buying a glucometer. Most of them come with their own test strips and needles are not compatible with another company’s products. Some products come with the lancing device and need you to buy only the strips separately.
Read the product description carefully to know the contents of a package.
Keeping all these points in mind, order yourself a glucometer.
These devices are life-changing and so is their technology. Glucometers also help in monitoring your blood sugar levels- especially when you are at a high risk of having diabetes.
Get your favorite glucometer today. They make diabetes an easy battle to fight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans: All test strips and lancing devices are sterile and don’t need sterilization before use- unless mentioned otherwise. They are all use-and-throw (single use) so that there is no chance of contamination. Ensure to dispose of used lancets and strips in a safe manner.
Ans: Yes. But two people cannot share a test strip and lancet. Be sure to change the test strip and lancet before the next person uses.
Ans: Follow your doctor’s recommendations about how often you test your glucose. You may need to test yourself several times each day, if you have diabetes, to determine adjustments in your diet or medication.
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