Glucose Monitors and Meters: A List Of The Top 6

Nov 14, 2023 By Madison Evans

Keeping tabs on your diabetes with a home glucose monitor dramatically reduces your risk of problems. Using a home monitor in conjunction with therapy can help you determine the factors that affect your blood sugar levels, such as physical activity, sickness, stress, dehydration, and others. Every patient's circumstance is different.

Thus some doctors may advise testing many times daily, while others believe constant monitoring is necessary. Choosing an excellent glucose monitor from the many available models might be difficult.

The Contour Next One

Traditional blood glucose monitoring equipment from Contour is simple to use, highly accurate, and reasonably priced. In as little as 5 seconds, the meter will provide a reading of your blood sugar. If the original sample wasn't enough, it is possible to reapply additional blood to the test strip within 60 seconds.

Saving money and avoiding the wasteful use of test strips is what this does. This is an excellent approach for novices since it is straightforward to understand. The intelligent light function gives rapid feedback on blood glucose levels by illuminating green, amber, or red lights to show whether or not readings are above, within, or below the user's predetermined range.

When used with the Contour glucose monitor, the accompanying smartphone app makes it easier to manage diabetes by providing additional context to your Bluetooth-synced readings.

FreeStyle Libre

As a product, the FreeStyle Libre made its premiere in 2017. It measures glucose levels in interstitial fluids rather than blood, as do conventional continuous glucose monitors. The Libre is used by placing a sensor on your upper arm. You wave the accompanying monitor in front of the sensor to obtain glucose readings, like in a flash system.

A new round can be started whenever you desire. Once every 14 days, you'll need to reapply a new sensor to your arm for the Libre system to continue functioning correctly. Their latest models all share the same names can be a hassle when trying to keep track of them all.

Dexcom G6

The Dexcom G6 is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) with more precise readings than the FreeStyle Libre. The Dexcom G6 is a sensor that may be worn on the stomach and communicates with an app on your mobile device or wristwatch. Users like that the sensor automatically sends this information every 5 minutes.

The Dexcom G6 is distinguished from other continuous glucose monitors by its ability to work in tandem with other tools for managing diabetes. Insulin pumps fall into this category. The requirement to replace the sensor every ten days is a typical point of criticism, especially when compared to the extended sensor life of other continuous glucose monitors.

Eversense

The Eversense CGM is an option to have your CGM inserted in the doctor's office rather than at home. Publicly traded Senseonics, the producer, ran into trouble in the year 2020. Despite layoffs, the Eversense system still enjoys the backing of Senseonics. Eversense is a device that, like the FreeStyle Libre, uses an upper-arm sensor to determine interstitial fluid levels.

The main distinction is that this sensor is subcutaneously implanted and worn for three months. Following the initial sensor application, the Eversense system will periodically communicate data to your mobile device. It also has a vibrating warning that goes off if your blood glucose levels are too high or too low.

Guardian Connect System

This CGM from Medtronic may be worth looking at if you want additional information about your glucose levels. The Guardian Connect is an armband glucose sensor that, like the FreeStyle Libre and Eversense, measures glucose levels in the blood by analyzing interstitial fluids.

On the other hand, the Guardian Connect tracks time in range like no other CGM on the market. This information may determine how many hours of the day your glucose levels are within your target range.

One of its most significant drawbacks is that kids under 14 can't use Guardian Connect. One drawback is the higher cost associated with purchasing a system with so many functions and individual components. Every week, your sensor will need to be replaced.

TrueMetrix Device from Rite Aid

The Rite Aid TrueMetrix is a conventional blood sample meter that comes reasonably priced. This easy-to-use gadget lets you set four separate alarms to serve as timely reminders and does it in just four seconds. In addition, the device may save up to 500 test results. The TrueMetrix meter does not require a prescription and may be purchased at Rite Aid shops and on their website. Remember to pick up some lancets and test strips while you're there; Rite Aid has what you need.