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Recommended Diabetic Monitors

Blood glucose monitors offer many benefits to people living with diabetes. Although, there are many types of diabetic monitors to choose from, it is often difficult to decide which is best. Certain things should be taken into consideration when purchasing a monitor--ease of use, cost, accuracy, maintenance and test time.

  1. Freestyle Navigator System

    • Comprised of three parts: sensor, transmitter and receiver, this monitor is designed to constantly record glucose levels to help manage and better your diabetic care. The system is meant for persons 18 years old and older. With a built-in sensor, the monitor can be worn for up to five days. Alarms will sound if there is a sudden increase or decrease in blood sugar levels. According to the "Diabetes Health Journal," the Freestyle Navigator System "is the only system that offers continuous glucose readings every minute and it contains a built-in FreeStyle meter for convenient calibration (a minimum of 4 calibrations are needed over a five day period) and confirmatory blood glucose tests."

    Seven Plus

    • Seven Plus is a wireless device designed to simplify your diabetes. As mentioned in the "Diabetes Health Journal," this device "boasts on its small and flexible sensor with a round shape, designed to flex and move as the body does." It is recommended for an active lifestyle as it is compact in size. It measures glucose levels on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week. The system gives you glucose readings every five minutes. It is similar to a GPS system as it displays where your sugar levels have been, what they currently are and where they are heading. Seven Plus helps to maintain your sugar levels within your target area.

    Guardian Real-Time

    • Guardian Real-Time monitor displays a current reading of glucose levels on its screen. It allows you to set predictive alert times from 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 minutes. The system has three adjustable alert--low and high alerts, rate of change alerts and predictive alerts. These warnings work so there is plenty of time for reaction if glucose levels are too high or low. Based on consumer reviews on minimed.com, "81% reported greater satisfaction with their glucose control."

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