What are the important diabetic testing supplies that you need? You need to buy this depending on the type of diabetes you have. That is, Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.

Some Important Diabetic Testing Supplies

1. Glucose pills.
2. A Glucometer  to check blood sugar
3. Blood glucose test strips for the Glucometer.
4. Lancets to take blood samples from your finger.
5. Urine test strips to measure your ketone levels (only for type 1 diabetes).
6. Emergency alert device (bracelet).
7. You may also need control solutions, carrying cases and other specialty items.

Important things you should know about glucose meters

Portable glucose meters are battery operated devices. There are many systems and brands available on the market, each of them with its own advantages and drawbacks. Moreover, the price range of glucose meters is quite wide, depending on the features you want your device to have. Accuracy, quick response and convenience are among the features you should take into consideration.

Beware that some glucose meters require more blood than others. This can become a concern in case of elderly individuals or very small children with diabetes. Some devices feature a very large digital readout, perfect for older or visually impaired people. There are glucose meters that display the results much faster than others, thus being more convenient to some people. Among other differences there are portability, cost and size.

Modern blood glucose meters can display the results in 15 seconds or less. Also, they have storage capabilities of readings for you and your doctor to monitor your evolution. These devices are able to calculate your average blood glucose level over a specific period of time. Some glucose meters come with software kit that fetch the information from the device and displays it as charts or graphs on a computer or mobile device.

Taking your daily glucose readings allow you to do the following:

1. Adjust the medications you take – for example, the proper amount of insulin
2. Calculate the number of carbs you are allowed to eat
3. Adjust your exercise routine
4. Dose your physical exercise

Finally, you must save these results and show it to your doctor or diabetes educator. They are the best individuals and they can provide you guidance and advice in managing your diabetes in accordance to your blood glucose variations.