By Chris Cifatte
When you are first diagnosed with diabetes, you may find yourself overwhelmed and scared. There are so many things that must be learned and you want to know everything right at once because diabetes can be deadly. One of the first things you should do is get a meter to test your blood sugar level. Don't run out and purchase one though. There are many ways to get a free diabetes meter and you should take advantage of them. As you may have a lifetime of controlling this disease, medical expenses can add up. Take advantage of every free offer you get.
With any glucose meter, including a free diabetes meter, you will need to insert a strip into the device. Once this is done, you will take a small drop of blood from either your fingertip or forearm and insert it into the device. This will then read your blood sugar level. Don't just take the first free device that is offered. Look for one that will allow you to store results in your device or download them to your computer. By having this information handy, both you and the doctor can evaluate the results and see if any changes need to be made to your treatment plan.
No one free diabetes meter is right for everyone though. The first thing you will need to do is look at the various meters that can be gotten for free. Research the different models and discuss which ones you think are best with your doctor. As he or she works with these meters on a daily basis and talks to patients about how they work, he would be a great person to make recommendations. Don't hesitate to ask other patients when you go in for a visit also. Most, if not all, will be willing to share their expenses with you.
One thing that must be checked with any glucose meter, including a free diabetes meter, is the accuracy. If your meter is inaccurate, you may use the wrong dosage of medication and your health can suffer. Be sure to have yours calibrated on a regular basis so you don't run into problems in the future. Try a free meter first though as you will most likely be pleased with what you get.
So - if you're headed out shopping for a free meter - pick your website carefully. Make sure you can opt out of future offers. And know you will have to provide personal information about your health insurance or medicare (no different than if you used your insurance to buy it somewhere else).
When you are first diagnosed with diabetes, you may find yourself overwhelmed and scared. There are so many things that must be learned and you want to know everything right at once because diabetes can be deadly. One of the first things you should do is get a meter to test your blood sugar level. Don't run out and purchase one though. There are many ways to get a free diabetes meter and you should take advantage of them. As you may have a lifetime of controlling this disease, medical expenses can add up. Take advantage of every free offer you get.
With any glucose meter, including a free diabetes meter, you will need to insert a strip into the device. Once this is done, you will take a small drop of blood from either your fingertip or forearm and insert it into the device. This will then read your blood sugar level. Don't just take the first free device that is offered. Look for one that will allow you to store results in your device or download them to your computer. By having this information handy, both you and the doctor can evaluate the results and see if any changes need to be made to your treatment plan.
No one free diabetes meter is right for everyone though. The first thing you will need to do is look at the various meters that can be gotten for free. Research the different models and discuss which ones you think are best with your doctor. As he or she works with these meters on a daily basis and talks to patients about how they work, he would be a great person to make recommendations. Don't hesitate to ask other patients when you go in for a visit also. Most, if not all, will be willing to share their expenses with you.
One thing that must be checked with any glucose meter, including a free diabetes meter, is the accuracy. If your meter is inaccurate, you may use the wrong dosage of medication and your health can suffer. Be sure to have yours calibrated on a regular basis so you don't run into problems in the future. Try a free meter first though as you will most likely be pleased with what you get.
So - if you're headed out shopping for a free meter - pick your website carefully. Make sure you can opt out of future offers. And know you will have to provide personal information about your health insurance or medicare (no different than if you used your insurance to buy it somewhere else).
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