How to Buy a Blood Glucose Test
Many people diagnosed with diabetes enjoy the flexibility of home blood glucose tests. These tests allow users to prick the finger, place the blood sample on a test strip and then quickly insert the strip into the monitor to get the blood glucose reading. Although the home monitoring kits are reasonably priced, starting at $25, the testing strips are fairly expensive ($100 or more). Before shopping for a blood glucose test, it helps to have a few tips.
Instructions
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Check out grocery stores. Most grocery stores that have a pharmacy sell blood glucose tests.
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Give your local discount store a call. Discount retailers such as Costco, Walgreens and Rite Aid may also sell these tests. Before making the purchase, call around to determine which store offers the best pricing.
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Check out online options. Many online drugstores (see Resources) offer discounted blood glucose tests.
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Read online reviews. Websites like Amazon and Drugstore (see Resources) allow you to read customer reviews, which provide insight into different brands of testing kits.
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Purchase replacement supplies. The blood glucose test will need to be replenished with supplies, including testing strips, sugar control solution, replacement needles and cotton balls (which are helpful in stopping bleeding after testing). Having these supplies on hand will ensure you don't run out unexpectedly.
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Tips & Warnings
If you haven't run a blood glucose test before, ask your doctor's medical assistant for help.
Don't forget to stock up on hand sanitizer. When you test your blood glucose levels, you might not always have access to soap and water. In these situations, hand sanitizer works nicely and minimizes the chances of infection in your finger.
