Diabetic Supplies FAQs

Please click on a question below:

Meters FAQS

• Can I get the Newest Meter on the Market?
• How do I use blood and plasma meters to track glucose testing?
• What is the best blood glucose meter?
• How many times per day do I need to check my glucose blood test results?
• When should I test my blood for glucose results and what are standard blood glucose test results?

Testing Strips FAQS

• Why are there different strips for diabetes blood glucose testing?
• Can different types of diabetic test strips affect my blood sugar testing results?
• How do I know if I've inserted the diabetes test strip correctly?
• Why do diabetes test strips expire?
• How much blood is needed to get an accurate blood sugar testing reading with diabetes test strips?
• How do I dispose of used or contaminated diabetes test strips?
• Do I qualify for free diabetic test strips?

Can I get the Newest Meter on the Market?

Yes, we offer the newest meters including the Ascensia Contour, FreeStyle Flash Meter and Accu Check. We also offer the most advanced technologies available for testing, including the latest in pain-free and alternate site testing. We offer the world's smallest meters, meters with voice capabilities as well as drum and disc systems that are preloaded with strips for your convenience. Click here for a complete list. We also offer free test strips along with your diabetes supplies.

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How do I use blood and plasma meters to track glucose testing

Blood and Plasma meters can help you track glucose testing to put together an accurate picture of your blood sugar levels over time. This is one of the most pivotal ways to manage your diabetes. Whether you've been diagnosed with Diabetes or are pre-diabetic and interested in evaluating your blood sugar levels, learning to track your blood glucose levels with plasma meters will help you feel more secure and in control of the disease. Over time, glucose testing and tracking will help you understand and anticipate what foods and lifestyle factors affect your blood sugar levels. In turn, you will be able to more accurately inform your healthcare providers, which can help discern preventative measures and lead to better overall health.

1. Get Plasma/Blood Meters with Glucose Testing and Data Storage Capacities. Many modern glucometers come with the ability to not only track blood glucose-but to also store several hundred glucose testing results at a time. Depending on your needs, these monitors may either show results on-screen or plug into your computer to display data; they may also provide averages at weekly or monthly intervals. However, memory systems are limited; because most users track blood glucose several times a day, meters ultimately provide short-term tracking and storage solutions.
2. Link to an Automated Tracking System. Advanced blood and plasma meters may provide more sophisticated results for tracking glucose testing data. When you plug them into a computer, glucose testing results not only display on your computer screen, but auto-sync with an online interface that records, stores, and analyzes your data through a private account. These programs can turn your ongoing data into charts or graphs which you can save, print, or email to healthcare providers. Many interface sites are free to enroll, and glucose testing software may be free to download or come on a disc when you purchase corresponding blood and plasma meters. Some connection cables and software programs are sold separately.
3. Back Up Your Data: Track Blood Glucose By Hand. Even if your monitor stores its own data, it's a good idea to get in the habit of tracking your blood glucose on a spreadsheet or logbook. Your provider may, from time to time, request a copy of these results to document your testing for the insurance company reimbursing you for the testing supplies. Keeping track of your test results can allow you to evaluate long-term patterns (past the storage capacity of your monitor's memory bank) and you'll always have a dependable back-up of information. Creating your own recording system will also allow you to add notes and organize data in a way that makes sense to you. If you use an Excel spreadsheet, it will be easy to track, compare, and analyze your glucose testing results. Your doctor or provider can also provide you with spare logbooks for these records.

Accurate tracking of your blood glucose levels is the best way to stay healthy and take control of your Diabetes. Support Plus Medical can suggest blood glucose and plasma meters to fit your lifestyle while meeting your glucose testing and tracking needs.

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What is the best blood glucose meter?

Blood glucose meters come at different sizes and speeds, with varying functions. Diabetics may prioritize their choice by brand, display attributes, blood sample size or cost. See what features are commonly used to compare blood glucose meters.

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How many times per day do I need to check my glucose blood test results?

Only your healthcare provider can know the proper frequency with which you should test your blood. Medicare Guidelines set three times a day as the standard for patient using insulin. The average diabetic patient tests twice per day.

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When should I test my blood for glucose results and what are standard blood glucose test results?

Most diabetic patients test their blood sugar with a blood glucose meter at least twice a day before or after breakfast and dinner. First thing in the morning and before bed are also common blood glucose testing times with good results. Again, this is an area you should review with your health care provider to ensure you are fully compliant with the program established for you.

The average levels for a person who has not been diagnosed with Diabetes are between 70-130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL after meals. If your blood sugar exceeds these numbers for several consecutive days, you should contact your doctor immediately.

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Why are there different strips for diabetes blood glucose testing?

When you buy a new glucometer, a specific diabetic test strip must be used to conduct your blood glucose Diabetes test. These diabetic test strips are made by the same brand-name manufacturer as the blood glucose monitor, ensuring a perfect fit and very precise Diabetes test results. However, these may be expensive. That's why alternative diabetic test strips have cropped up, providing more options to those with Diabetes. To maintain a healthy blood sugar level, it's important to use diabetic testing supplies that are trustworthy and consistent. So whether you choose name-brand or alternative diabetic test strips, make sure you are using a trusted distributor of diabetic testing supplies. Below, discover more information about the different diabetic test strips which can be used in diabetes testing to check blood glucose levels.

Below are the types of diabetic test strips used to monitor blood glucose and manage diabetes

• Brand-Name Diabetic Test Strips: Diabetic testing suppliers manufacture diabetic test strips to function in their own blood glucose monitors. These may only be available through medical facilities or mail-order; they may also be expensive. They will not work with other name-brand monitors; often, they will not even work with other monitors by the same brand.
• Alternative Diabetic Test Strips: Medical supply manufacturers strive to replicate diabetic test strips that will complement multiple monitors, so that Diabetes patients have more affordable and attainable options. According to a study published by the American Diabetes Association, alternative diabetic test strips can be used to accurately measure healthy blood sugar levels, albeit with less precision than their name-brand counterparts. They are just as safe to use as brand name diabetic test strips to monitor your blood sugar levels.
• Non-Handle Diabetic Test Strips: Many diabetic patients prefer not to handle test strips. To minimize or eliminate test strip handling, several diabetes test strip manufacturers have designed blood glucose test meters which store a drum or cartridge of diabetic test strips. This drum distributes test strips every time the monitor is activated for testing, and needs to be replaced less frequently than individual strips (which can only be used once). To learn which Diabetes blood glucose test meters can operate with minimal handling, please see this comparison chart.

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Can different types of diabetic test strips affect my blood sugar testing results?

Yes; studies have shown that non-name-brand test strips may give a slightly less accurate reading of your glucose levels. However, this minor variation has not been proven unsafe.

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How do I know if I've inserted the diabetes test strip correctly?

Most blood sugar testing monitors will give some kind of indication that the diabetic test strip is in place; some will light up or flash a signal to let you know the test strip is correctly inserted. If you suffer from poor eyesight, it may be best to find a meter that clearly indicates proper positioning.

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Why do diabetes test strips expire?

Diabetes test strips expire because they lose accuracy over time due to factors such as oxygen, humidity and aging; even diabetes test strips sealed in an airtight package can give an inaccurate reading. Typically, blood sugar testing strips are considering 'expired' three months after they are opened. Although control solution may be able to help you determine if your test strips are still viable, it is best to abide by the diabetes test strip's expiration date given to avoid any potential misreadings.

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How much blood is needed to get an accurate blood sugar testing reading with diabetes test strips?

Sample sizes for blood sugar testing vary between 0.3-1.5 µl. You can tell that you have applied enough blood to the diabetic test strip when the small box or window at the end of the strip is completely covered. It is commonly believed that the less blood needed to perform blood sugar testing, the more comfortable and pain-free the procedure will be.

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How do I dispose of used or contaminated diabetes test strips?

It's important to keep contaminated diabetes test strips away from uncontaminated samples. It's also extremely important to dispose of used blood sugar testing strips appropriately. Many diabetics designate an impenetrable container-such as an old laundry soap bottle-to collect used lancets and diabetic test strips. Others dispose of them in the wrappers in which they were originally sealed.

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Do I qualify for free diabetic test strips?

Medicare and many private insurance companies offer free blood sugar testing supplies to qualifying candidates. Support Plus Medical can help you determine if you qualify for free blood sugar testing supplies. Click Here to fill out a quick and easy form.

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