Glucometer Uses

Glucometers are devices used to measure the amount of glucose or sugar in a sample of blood. Glucometers play a very important role for individuals with diabetes. When operated, a glucometer uses a disposable test strip and a small drop of blood to determine the level of glucose in the sample, which is then displayed to the patient. More advanced glucometers may also have additional functions.

Testing

• The most basic use of a glucometer is to check the current blood sugar level of an individual. This is done by obtaining a small drop of blood, usually by pricking a fingertip with a lancet. Some newer glucometers also allow blood samples to be obtained from "alternative test sites" such as the forearm, which is less painful. The blood is placed on a disposable test strip which has been previously inserted into the glucometer. After processing the blood sample, the glucometer will display the level of glucose in the patient's blood.

Historical Data Function

• Modern glucometers employ a memory function that allows the test results of many previous tests to be stored and recalled. The memory function is important as it allows patients to monitor themselves and discover trends and patterns that may be causing problems -- or diagnose side effects that were previously thought to be unrelated to blood glucose levels. In addition to keeping the history of test results, many glucometers will also display the average glucose reading for the last few test results.

Data Transfer

• Historical data, while helpful to the patient is even more valuable to physicians. Higher end glucometers can store even longer periods of testing data, upward of a year. More expensive glucometers models may also have the ability to download this data to a computer via infrared or a cable. This historical testing data, along with the exact date and time of each test, can be given to a patient's physician. The doctor can then identify biological patterns and variations that may have otherwise gone unnoticed during their brief office visits.

Future Glucometers

• In the future, traditional glucometers may be replaced with CGMS or continuous glucose monitoring systems. These small devices will be placed underneath the skin and constantly monitor the patient's glucose levels. They will transmit this data to a receiver worn on a bracelet, wristwatch, or pager-like device every few minutes. The advantage to this system is that the user can set alarms that will alert the user when high or low glucose levels are breached, allowing the user to take action before symptoms are even present.