Editing Blood glucose monitoring (section)

==Blood glucose meters==
{{main|Glucose meter}}
[[File:glucose meters.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Four generations of blood glucose meter, c. 1991–2005. Sample sizes vary from 30 to 0.3 μl. Test times vary from 5 seconds to 2 minutes (modern meters typically require less than 15 seconds).]]
A '''blood glucose meter''' is an electronic device for measuring the blood glucose level. A relatively small drop of blood is placed on a disposable test strip which interfaces with a digital meter. Within several seconds, the level of blood glucose will be shown on the digital display. Needing only a small drop of blood for the meter means that the time and effort required for testing are reduced and the compliance of diabetic people to their testing regimens is improved significantly. Blood glucose meters provide results in various units such as eAG (mg/dL) and eAG (mmol/L), and may also estimate A1C levels. These measurements can aid in classifying blood glucose levels as normal, prediabetic, or diabetic, facilitating effective diabetes management for users. While some models offer interpretative features that indicate the health status based on these results, not all meters provide this functionality, focusing instead on providing raw glucose measurements. Users of blood glucose meters without interpretative features can utilize online calculators to determine their blood glucose status based on measured values. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-30 |title=Blood Sugar Calculator by Age and Meal Type |url=https://sugardefender-try.shop/blogs/sugar-defender/blood-sugar-calculator-by-age-and-meal-type |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=Sugar Defender |language=en}}</ref> The cost of using blood glucose meters is believed to be a cost-benefit relative to the avoided medical costs of the [[complications of diabetes]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Li R, Zhang P, Barker LE, Chowdhury FM, Zhang X | title = Cost-effectiveness of interventions to prevent and control diabetes mellitus: a systematic review | journal = Diabetes Care | volume = 33 | issue = 8 | pages = 1872–94 | date = August 2010 | pmid = 20668156 | pmc = 2909081 | doi = 10.2337/dc10-0843 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

Recent advances include:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seery |first=Conor |date=2019-01-15 |title=Continuous Glucose Monitoring - What is CGM, Control, How To Get a CGM |url=https://www.diabetes.co.uk/cgm/continuous-glucose-monitoring.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Diabetes |language=en-GB}}</ref>
*  alternative site testing, the use of blood drops from places other than the fingertips, usually the palm or forearm. This alternative site testing uses the same test strips and meter, is practically pain-free, and gives the fingertips a needed break if they become sore.  The disadvantage of this technique is that there is usually less blood flow to alternative sites, which prevents the reading from being accurate when the blood sugar level is changing.
*  no coding systems.  Older systems required 'coding' of the strips to the meter.  This carried a risk of 'miscoding', which can lead to inaccurate results. Two approaches have resulted in systems that no longer require coding.  Some systems are 'autocoded', where technology is used to code each strip to the meter.  And some are manufactured to a 'single code', thereby avoiding the risk of miscoding.
*  multi-test systems. Some systems use a cartridge or a disc containing multiple test strips.  This has the advantage that the user doesn't have to load individual strips each time, which is convenient and can enable quicker testing.
*  downloadable companion software.  Most newer systems come with software that allows the user to download meter results to a computer.  This information can then be used, together with health care professional guidance, to enhance and improve diabetes management.  The meters usually require a connection cable, unless they are designed to work wirelessly with an insulin pump, are designed to plug directly into the computer, or use a radio ([[Bluetooth]], for example) or infrared connection.