Living with diabetes requires constantly monitoring your blood sugar levels. The most common tool for doing so is a blood glucose meter, also referred to as a glucometer. However, with so many glucometers on the market (and of course ever-changing lists of what a given insurance will cover, strips are not standardized etc.), it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this post, we will explain the difference between different components of the blood glucose monitoring system, how to pick a glucometer, which glucometers are covered by the major health plans, and how to score free strips (TLDR; sign up for Malama).

What is the difference between glucometers, lancets and strips?

A glucometer, also known as a blood glucose meter or blood sugar meter, is a handheld electronic device that is used to measure blood glucose levels. Glucometers work by analyzing a small sample of blood that is usually obtained by pricking the skin with a lancet.

Lancets are small, sharp needles that are used to prick the skin and obtain a small sample of blood for glucose testing. Lancets come in various sizes and can be adjusted to vary the depth of the prick depending on your skin.

Test strips are used in conjunction with a glucometer to measure blood glucose levels. These strips are coated with a chemical that reacts with glucose in the blood and produces a signal that is read by the glucometer. The test strips are disposable and are only used once.

Together, the glucometer, lancets and strips make up the blood glucose monitoring system used by people with diabetes to measure their blood sugar levels.