If you have diabetes, you’ll likely need a blood glucose meter to measure and display the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood. Exercise, food, medications, stress and other factors affect your blood glucose level.
Glucometers are also referred to as glucose meters. Even though they are quite small, they are very sophisticated. All they need is a drop of blood and they present you with details about your blood sugar.
A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours indicates diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) indicates prediabetes.
These items are very portable and easy to slip in your bag or pocket and move around. The question that begs an answer is, “how much do glucometers cost in Nigeria?” We will provide you with an answer to this question as we discuss the prices of glucometers in Nigeria in this post.
Prices of Glucometers in Nigeria
There are several brands of glucometers on the Nigerian market. Each one comes with its peculiarities. In this section, we will show you the most popular glucometers on the market as well as their prices.
- One-Touch Ultra2 Blood Glucose Meter Monitoring System with Case – N7,000 – N8,000
- Embrace TALK Blood Glucose Meter System – N4,000 – N5,000
- TRUE Metrix Glucose Test Strips 50 CT+ FREE Meter KIT,100 Lancets, Lancing Device – N9,000 – N10,500
- Embrace No-Code Talking Blood Glucose Meter System – N4,000 – N6,000
- Region blood glucose meter – N5,500 – N6,500
- Prodigy Blood Glucose Test Strips 50 Qty plus meter – N8,000 – N9,000
- Contour Next EZ Blood Meter Glucose Monitoring System Starter Kit monitor – N3,200 – N4,200
- One-touch ultra glucose meter – N5,000 – N6,000
- Accu-Chek Nano Smartview Blood Glucose Monitor Replacement Meter SEALED w Case – N10,200 – N11,200
- Blood Glucose Meter Kit Contour Next Wireless, Free App Available – N3,400 – N4,400
- Fantastic Accu Blood Glucose Meter + 10 Free Strips + 10 Free Lancet – N3,600 – N,4000
- Blood Glucose Monitor Glucometer Blood Sugar Diabetes Tester Kit + 50 Test Strips Lancets Needles – N10,000 – N11,000
- Fine test Autocoding Blood Glucose Monitor With 25 Free Strips – N25,000 – N28,000
- RapidCheck Kiptrack 2 In 1 Blood Glucose & Blood Pressure Monitor – N23,000 – N25,000
- SpeedGUC Multi-function Glucose, Cholesterol Uric Acid Meter – N24,500 – N26,000
- Accu-Answer Sugar/Cholesterol/Haemoglobin/Uric Acid Test Machine – N23,000 – N25,000
- Blood Glucose Meter Diabetes Test Kit Glucometer Test Strips Lancets Blood Sugar Tester – N8,000 – N9,000
- Sinocare Safe-Accu Blood Glucose Meter 100 Strips/Lancet – N6,500 – N7,700
- Yuwell 740 Blood Sugar Diabetes Tester Glucometer Meter Monitor – N9,500 – N11,000
- Motech DIY- Memory/Voice Broadcast Digital BP Monitor – N16,000 – N18,000
- Blood Sugar Monitor Safe Blood Glucose Diabetes Tester Glucometer Medical – N7,500 – N8,500
Who needs a Glucometer?
As we mentioned above, a glucometer is quite sophisticated even though it is small and very very portable. The question then is, “who needs a quality glucometer?” Any person that needs to test their blood glucose levels needs a glucometer. This includes people suffering from:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Latent autoimmune diabetes among adults
If you fall into this category, you need to purchase a glucometer as soon as possible. Here’s what a glucometer will help you to achieve:
- Check the level of your blood sugar so that you can control it.
- Recognize how your blood glucose responds to certain exercises and stress patterns.
- Assess your performance in meeting set treatment goals.
- Monitor the effects of certain diabetic medications and therapies.
- Recognize patterns so that you know when you will have a glucose crash or spike.
Using a Glucometer
Buying a glucometer is one thing, knowing how to use it properly is another. In this section, we will show you how to do this. The first thing to know is that many of the instruction manuals that come with glucometers are pretty self-explanatory. However, the guidelines below should make it easy for you to use your glucometer.
Here are some of the items you need to get the best of your glucometer:
- Lancet
- Glucometer
- Test strip
- Alcohol prep pad
- Notebook
Now, follow these instructions to use your glucometer:
- Set out all the items that you need on the table.
- Wash your hands or clean them with an alcohol swab.
- Warm your hands to facilitate blood flow. You can do this by rubbing them together quickly or putting them under warm water.
- Turn the device on then place the test strip inside the machine. Check the indicator before you place the blood on the test strip.
- Dry your hands and allow the alcohol to evaporate.
- Pierce your fingertip to get a drop of blood.
- Now, place the blood on the strip or by the side.
- Allow the glucometer to come up with the reading.
- Write down your results.
Choosing the right meter
Many types of blood glucose meters are very available, from basic models to more-advanced meters with multiple features and options. The cost of blood glucose meters and test strips varies, as does insurance coverage. Study your options before deciding which model to buy.
When selecting a blood glucose meter, it can help to know the basics of how they work. To use most blood glucose meters, you first insert a test strip into the device.
Then with a special needle, you poke a clean fingertip to get a drop of blood. You carefully touch the test strip to the blood and wait for a blood glucose reading to appear on the screen.
When used and stored properly, blood glucose meters are generally accurate in how they fully measure glucose. They differ in the type and number of features they offer. Here are several factors to consider when choosing a blood glucose meter:
Insurance coverage
Check with your insurance provider for coverage details. Some insurance providers limit coverage to specific models or limit the total number of test strips allowed.
Cost
Meters vary in price. Be sure to factor in the cost of the test strips, as these will represent the majority of the cost in the long term.
Ease of use
Some meters are easier to use than others. Are both the meter and test strips comfortable and easy to hold? Can you easily see the numbers on the screen? How easy is it to get blood onto the strips? How much blood is required?
Special features
Ask about the features to see what meets your specific needs. Special features may include large, easy-to-handle buttons and test strips, illuminated screens, and audio, which may be useful for people with impaired vision.
Information storage and retrieval
Consider how the meter stores and retrieves information. Some can track time and date of a test, the result, and trends over time. Some meters offer the ability to share your readings in real time with your healthcare provider with a smartphone app. Or some may offer the option to download your blood glucose readings to a computer, then email the test results to your doctor.
Support
Most meter manufacturers include a toll-free number that you can call for help. Look for a meter that includes clear instructions that demonstrate the correct way to use the meter. Some manufacturers offer users manuals on their websites.