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A glucose meter (or glucometer) is a medical device for determining the approximate amount of glucose in a drop of blood obtained by pricking the skin with a lancet. Glucose meters are portable and designed for use by laypersons, including those with diabetes. more...

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The glucose meter is a key element of home blood glucose monitoring (HBGM) by people with diabetes mellitus or with proneness to hypoglycemia. Since approximately 1980, a primary goal of the management of type 1 diabetes has been the achievement of closer-to-normal levels of glucose in the blood for as much of the time as possible, guided by HBGM several times a day. This has greatly increased the trouble and time spent in the daily care of this disease but has also reduced rates of long-term complications and improved the management of short-term, potentially life-threatening complications such as hypoglycemia.

Characteristics

There are now dozens of models of glucose meters. There are several key characteristics that may differ from model to model:

Size: The average size is now approximately the size of the palm of the hand, though some are smaller or a bit larger. They are battery-powered.;

Test strips: A consumable element containing chemicals which react with glucose in the drop of blood is used for each measurement. For most models this element is a plastic test strip with a small spot impregnated with glucose oxidase and other components. Each strip can only be used once and is then discarded. Instead of individual strips, some models use discs that may be used for several readings.;

Coding: Since test strips may vary from batch to batch, some models require the user to enter in a code that may be found on the vial of test strips. By entering the code into the glucose meter, the meter will be calibrated to the batch of test strips. Some models may not require coding.;

Volume of blood sample: The size of the drop of blood needed by different models currently varies from 0.3 to 10 μl. Older models required larger blood samples, usually defined as a "hanging drop" from the fingertip. Smaller volume requirements reduce the frequency of unproductive pricks.;

Alternative site testing: Smaller drop volumes have enabled "alternate site testing"-- pricking the forearm or other less sensitive areas instead of the fingertips. Although less uncomfortable, readings obtained from forearm blood lag behind fingertip blood in reflecting rapidly changing glucose levels in the rest of the body.;

Testing times: The times it takes to read a test strip may range from 5 to 60 seconds for different models.;

Display: The glucose value in mg/dl or mmol/l displayed in a small window. The preferred measurement unit varies by country. Mg/dl are preferred in the US, mmol/l in Canada and Europe. To convert mmol/l of glucose to mg/dl, multiply by 18. To convert mg/dl of glucose to mmol/l, divide by 18 or multiply by 0.055. Many machines can toggle between both types of measurements and there have been a couple of published instances in which someone with diabetes has been misled into the wrong actions by assuming that a reading in mmol/l was really a very low reading in mg/dl, or the converse. Other machines are pre-set at the factory and cannot be changed.;

Read more at Wikipedia.org