My glucose levels have been rising over this past year when my doctor tests me. The last time which was a few weeks ago, it was 120 and he said I was now pre-diabetic.

Given I never had this issue before in my life, I am a little concerned. So I wantr to purchase a glucose meter and test it regularly so I can have a sense of how my glucose fluctuates at various times during the day.

I have checked out in the pharmacy and they have glucose meters that run form 13 bucks (Rite-aid) to 80 bucks.

I don't care about money... I want one that is compact, easy to carry around and efficient.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Also, does anyone have recommendations as to how often and when I might test my glucose levels? I am thinking about 3 x a day but I don;t know if that is excessive nor when I should : before or after meals and particular time?

It's not the cost of the meters... it's the cost of the supplies, specifically the test strips. If you can get your doctor to give you a prescription for the set-up, most insurance companies will cover the supplies and the initial cost for the equipment.

I was diagnosed as diabetic a few years ago, with readings as high as 300. I refused to go onto any medications, and with my newfound nutrition and exercise programs (and subesquent weight loss), as of my last visit a few weeks ago, I was given a clean bill of health, and my readings are now usually in the 100-120 range (140 is considered "over the limit").

I'm sure that you will find a way to get this situation under control. Good luck to you!

It's not the cost of the meters... it's the cost of the supplies, specifically the test strips. If you can get your doctor to give you a prescription for the set-up, most insurance companies will cover the supplies and the initial cost for the equipment.

I was diagnosed as diabetic a few years ago, with readings as high as 300. I refused to go onto any medications, and with my newfound nutrition and exercise programs (and subesquent weight loss), as of my last visit a few weeks ago, I was given a clean bill of health, and my readings are now usually in the 100-120 range (140 is considered "over the limit").

I'm sure that you will find a way to get this situation under control. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the suggestion of the insurance....:tu:

Does anybody have any brands to recommend?

I've recently used the OneTouch Ultra. Not sure if it's available in your country. It's extremely compact and pretty quick to use.

As an experiment when I first started my current eating pattern, I took many readings per day, to try to determine the blood glucose response to my various meals, exercise, etc. SOme doctors rely too exclusively on fasting glucose levels, but in fact it is now known that your post-prandial response is a better indicator of health status.

The main drawbacks with taking many readings are: a) you get through a lot of test strips and lancets; and b) your fingers end up like a pincushion.

I've recently used the OneTouch Ultra. Not sure if it's available in your country. It's extremely compact and pretty quick to use.

As an experiment when I first started my current eating pattern, I took many readings per day, to try to determine the blood glucose response to my various meals, exercise, etc. SOme doctors rely too exclusively on fasting glucose levels, but in fact it is now known that your post-prandial response is a better indicator of health status.

The main drawbacks with taking many readings are: a) you get through a lot of test strips and lancets; and b) your fingers end up like a pincushion.

I also used the One Touch Ultra. No complaints. And I also took several readings a day at first, but eventually got it down to three... once upon waking, once at mid-day between lunch and dinner, and once between dinner and bedtime.

Post-prandial. I love that word, and I use it all the time. Never heard anyone else say it though, so my hat's off to you mate. Good on ya.

Here's a nice list of available meters

http://www.diabetes.org/uedocuments/rg05combometers.pdf

Using a combination of postprandial glucose testing (<180) and preprandial (<90-130) seems like the best way to maintain healthy glucose levels.

Good luck!

I am a 63 year old type II diabetic. About 7 years ago I was hospitalized with a very high temperature due to an infection. I had failed to dress a cut on my leg. After a 106 degree temp, near fatal for some one over 55, I came out of there diabetic. My tester is an
ACCU -CHEK -- Advantage is the model. It will keep a record of about 30 last readings, and average readings. A really great tool, but as you have warned, the test strips are expensive. I test 1@ day upon waking, and am now averaging a blood sugar reading of 117.

Keeping a log of food intake, and exercise any one can keep sugar under control. Where you are headed, and where we diabetics are, is an exercise land where we realize the value of aerobics to burn up sugar. My weight training had always been with a goal of fitness and endurance, circuit training, Jack LaLane type work outs(I am no comparison to him) . I have finally made up my mind that I will attack my overweight. Logging food intake, exercise and blood sugar gives a very good map for progress.

One other thing, I have bocome very aware of the glycemic index of many foods, and have really increased by vegtable and grapefruit. I have to admit that I am looking forward to seeing the changes.

I hope that this info is helpful.

I was just about to make a post about this!

I have been having (self diagnosed cause I cant afford a doctor visit---going by the Whipple's triad) fasting hypoglycemia episodes attributed to lowering my carbohydrate intake and increasing exercise. Some were so severe that I finally went out and got a meter. I bought the Therasense Freestyle one, partly because it has a 40$ rebate going on right now, and you can test on your arm (though they say to test on fingers or base of thumb for hypoglycemia.) It's small and sleek and comes with a little carrying pouch and has the actual-size picture of it on the box. Yes the test strips are so darn expensive which is a bummer!

My BS got down to 62 and I was just starting to get symptoms, before I had to abort my experiment and eat some lovely Mother's Day dinner.
I did my own rendition of a glucose tolerance test by drinking a coke and it went all the way up to 175 and didnt come back down to my base of 80 until about 5 hours later, which seemed kinda slow to me.

Anywho, I am happy I got one because it's been very insightful.

Philip--- 106 degree temp is near fatal for anyone! So glad you made it through and are on your way to better health :)

Nature girl, I have found that trying to have a little something to eat each 3 hours has been very helpful in leveling out my blood sugar. My last 7 days average is 111. Again, a little something every three hours seems to help. That was further confirmed by an article I read this morning.

Good luck to you.