Cheapest to Run Blood Glucose Meter? Test Strips and Lancing Device

Steptoe on 16/01/2019 - 01:51
Last edited 16/01/2019 - 12:03

Could someone suggest the cheapest to run at home Blood Glucose Tests? As they seem to run on the Printer/Refill pricing model, looking for what are the cheapest consumables, besides stealing from a type 1 diabetic on government subsidies.

i.e. Test Strips and Lancing Device

Context:

  • not medically diagnosed diabetic
  • just read this book by Terence Kealey
  • wanting to use science to measure some effects of dietary change.
  • have previously used Keto Diastix to quantify Ketosis during intermittent fasting type diet.
Health & Beauty

Comments

  • ShannonN on 16/01/2019 - 05:09
    +5

    can't help you with a cost breakdown but if you want a free meter I have one with test strips to get you off the ground, I am a T2 diabetic on insulin and recently had a new meter sent to replace one that was developing a fault, since then my dietitian has put me on a different type of meter so this one is unused and spare

    You don't want charity fine? want the meter PM me. Your call

    • Steptoe on 16/01/2019 - 11:55
      +1

      Thanks for the offer. I’ll leave tyour offer for someone in need, not in want.

      Meters tend to be at or near free with rebates etc. My interest was as some trying to avoid T2D by measuring dietary changes.

      • Seedy seed on 17/01/2019 - 21:31
        +1

        Cut out carbs. no fat, no diabetes the issue is the fat comes off slow so to get rid of mine it will take 1-2 years :/

  • pjetson on 16/01/2019 - 09:09
    +1

    My diabetes co-ordinator gave me a free glucose meter, and joined me up to the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) which lets you buy strips at a heavily discounted price. Lancets are still full price, though :-(

    I am type 2 diabetic, controlled by diet.

  • pantsparty on 16/01/2019 - 09:46

    Are you diabetic? Can you get discounts?

    • Steptoe on 16/01/2019 - 11:51

      Not diabetic. Just looking to avoid becoming one.

      • pantsparty on 16/01/2019 - 12:51

        Just eat healthy then and save your blood testing money!

        • Steptoe on 16/01/2019 - 13:00

          Thing is who do you believe as to what is healthy eating 🤷🏾‍♂️

          • Seedy seed on 17/01/2019 - 21:33
            +1

            @Steptoe: If your worried about diabetes read my advice. Also strips are aprox $1ea without discount for needing them.

      • pjetson on 21/01/2019 - 22:37

        Not diabetic. Just looking to avoid becoming one.

        According to the Mayo Clinic:

        Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown, although genetics and environmental factors, such as being overweight and inactive, seem to be contributing factors.

        They don't seem to regard breakfast as a contributing factor.

  • floppy on 16/01/2019 - 10:10
    +1

    if you sign up to the NDSS (Naitonal Diabetes Services Scheme) there are many ways you can get a free device.

    https://www.ndss.com.au/important-changes-to-the-ndss

    half way down this page there is a link to a pdf that lists all the devices available and how to get them. most lancets and test strips cost similar amounts so i would suggest finding the device you want first

    • Steptoe on 16/01/2019 - 11:51

      I would assume you need a medical diagnosis to be eligible. I am just looking to use Science to measure some dietary changes.

  • Steptoe on 16/01/2019 - 12:09

    I’ve added some context to the original post.

    The Contour Next One seems to have the cheapest test strip so far at around $0.22 each
    https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/80631/bayer-contour-…

    The meter is Free if you are on the NDSS
    https://switchtonext.com.au

    • Steptoe on 17/01/2019 - 23:40

      Turns out the price is for older model Contour 😭

  • pjetson on 16/01/2019 - 15:06

    I'm not sure what you're expecting to find out with a blood glucose meter. Either your body is properly dealing with your blood sugar level, or you're diabetic. If you're diabetic, then you may be able to control your blood sugar levels with diet, or you may need drugs to control it.

    Your book author says:

    He soon noticed that his glucose levels were unusually high after eating

    Ummm, that's kind of what happens after you eat, before your body starts dealing with it. I measure my blood sugar before breakfast, and again at least two hours after dinner.

    I eat cereal for breakfast every morning, usually Weeties. Have done for about 60 years, lol. Of all the things I've done wrong or ill-advisedly in my life, eating breakfast is not one of them!

    • Steptoe on 16/01/2019 - 21:44

      Read the book and see if you still think the same. Was free to borrow the ebook from Borrow Box via Council Library.

      What meter do you use?

      • pjetson on 17/01/2019 - 21:26
        +1

        What meter do you use?

        Accu-Chek Guide.

        • Steptoe on 17/01/2019 - 21:42

          Read that was a good choice.

          • pjetson on 17/01/2019 - 21:57
            +1

            @Steptoe: Seems to do what it needs to do, and the price was good - free from my local health centre diabetes co-ordinator. I've also seen the meter on offer for free at chemists from time to time, but I don't know what the conditions of the offer are. It's definitely a printer cartridge type of racket, though.

            I found out after I replaced the batteries myself the first time that the company would have sent me new batteries for free if I'd known to ask.

            You can get a free app from Google Play to download the data from the meter and display it graphically. The app is usable, but not as useful as it could be.

            The real problem is having to stick holes in your fingers at least twice a day :-(

  • CMH on 18/01/2019 - 15:19

    If you're worried about what sort of lifestyle to lead to prevent diabetes, just book an appointment with a diabetic nurse/educator. They would be happy to guide you in what you should be doing.

  • dwillia on 21/04/2019 - 10:19

    you can buy bulk disposable lancets on ebay for cheap

    much cheaper than the lance cassettes you buy from the chemist anyway

  • antiocker on 14/06/2019 - 23:46

    If you follow pseudo scientific fad diets and create unwarranted supply constraints to products people with chronic diseases depend on, who believe me, eat a lot of breakfast, you deserve to pay more than RRP. Start using a knife to attain your blood samples, because people who use a lancet 20 times a day don't want your spastic blog informed dietary habits to encroach on the cost of their medical NECESSITIES.

  • ozneilau on 02/09/2019 - 10:09
    +1

    This is a good question and I am thinking the blood glucose meter industry may be a little like the printer industry where printers are often sold below cost of manufacture as a "loss leader" to lock purchasers in to the particular manufacturers ink or toner cartridges which is where they earn their profit over the life of the printer.

    Checking your blood glucose levels occasionally is certainly a good idea especially if you have reason to believe you are at risk of diabetes (e.g. over weight, family history, not young any more etc).

    Looking on eBay, the cheapest brand name blood glucose test strips seem to be Accu-chek Performa at around $23 for 100 followed by Contour Next at around $29 for 100.

    Hopefully by managing your heath well through diet and exercise you can avoid becoming a diabetic but as others have pointed out, if you are formally diagnosed, you can join the NDSS and 100 x Contour Next test strips then cost you $15 (or at least that's what I paid this morning as a recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic using my NDSS card at the local chemist).

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