A blood glucose meter  is an electronic instrument for measuring blood sugar levels. It is mainly used to detect the blood sugar concentration in patients with diabetes. Usually using a blood glucose meter can grasp the blood sugar concentration level in time, so as to adjust diet and exercise in time to control the continued development of the disease. Therefore it is essential for diabetics.


A blood glucose meter , also known as a blood glucose meter, is an electronic device that measures blood sugar levels. Blood glucose meters are divided into photoelectric type and electrode type in terms of working principle. The testing principle of the electrode-type blood glucose meter is more scientific, and the electrodes can be built-in.


There are two differences in the working principle of the blood glucose meter, one is the photoelectric type, and the other is the electrode type. The photoelectric blood glucose meter is similar to a CD machine, with a photoelectric head. Its advantage is that the price is relatively cheap. The disadvantage is that the detection head is exposed to the air and is easily polluted, which affects the test results. The error range is about plus or minus 0.8, and the service life is relatively short. Generally, it is more accurate within two years. After two years, it is recommended that patients who are using photoelectric machines go to the maintenance station for a calibration. General hospitals have hospital representatives for regular maintenance, while household blood glucose meters need to go to the after-sales service department for bald maintenance.



Blood glucose meter selection principles


1. For most diabetic patients, it is only necessary to use a blood glucose meter to accurately measure blood sugar, and then record the measurement results. Therefore, for diabetic patients with average economic conditions, it is still more practical to choose an economical blood glucose meter. It only costs about 4 yuan to use a test strip each time.


2. Patients with good economic conditions who hope to use the storage and analysis functions of the blood glucose meter for disease management, or patients with poor eyesight who need to display the results on a large screen, and patients who have difficulty in operating themselves and need the blood glucose meter to directly prompt the operation points, Optional multi-function blood glucose meter.


3. Patients with multiple metabolic abnormalities who need to monitor multiple indicators at the same time, and who have relatively good financial conditions, can choose a luxury blood glucose meter.


It should be pointed out that the blood glucose test strips of various types of blood glucose meters are not compatible with each other, so patients must purchase test strips that meet the model of their own blood glucose meters in order to accurately perform the detection function.


Therefore, if the economic conditions permit, diabetic patients, it is best to have a blood glucose meter at home. Especially for patients with gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes, large blood sugar fluctuations, who have used insulin pumps, are undergoing intensive insulin therapy, or are prone to undetectable hypoglycemia, they must have a blood glucose meter at home for strict blood sugar monitoring.


Blood glucose meter measurement method


1. Chemical Colorimetry


Principle: Early blood glucose meters used glucose oxidase colorimetry, and the test paper changed color after reacting with blood. After the time was up, the blood drops were wiped off and then put into the blood glucose meter to obtain the blood sugar value by measuring the chromatogram.


Advantages: Compared with the biochemical analyzer, the measurement is faster and less blood is used.


Disadvantages: The earlier technology is mostly electrode method measurement in modern times, which uses less blood and measures faster, so the chemical colorimetry market has basically been eliminated, and the only model is the Johnson & Johnson Steady type.


2. Electrode measurement of glucose oxidase Glucose Oxidase


Principle: Blood glucose is measured by measuring the amount of current generated by the reaction of glucose in the blood with glucose oxidase in the test paper. Most of the mainstream models on the market are glucose oxidase measurement methods.


Advantages: Compared with biochemical analyzers and chemical methods, the measurement is faster (within 30 seconds), and the amount of blood used is less (less than 5 microliters)


Disadvantages: Since the oxygen content in the air is much greater than the hydrogen content, the test paper is more easily affected by the air than the dehydrogenase method, so it is required to be stored in a closed and dry environment. Generally, after the test paper is taken out of the container It should be used within 5 minutes, otherwise the possibility of inaccurate measurement due to the dampness of the test paper is greater. Generally, the barreled test paper is required to open the lid, take out the test paper and close the lid tightly immediately. After opening the test paper, it is required to use it up within 3 months. .


3. Glucose dehydrogenase electrode measurement method FAD-Glucose dehydrogenase


Principle: Blood glucose is measured by measuring the current generated by the reaction of glucose in the blood and glucose dehydrogenase in the test paper.


Advantages: In addition to the advantages of oxidase, it is specific to glucose, free from oxygen interference, easy to store, and can be used until the expiration date after opening the can.


Cons: Slight reaction to xylose.


4. Glucose dehydrogenase electrode measurement method PQQ-Glucos dehydrogenase


Principle: Blood glucose is measured by measuring the current generated by the reaction of glucose in the blood and glucose dehydrogenase in the test paper. There are mainly Roche Superior Type, Lisutane, and Omron Type 215.


Advantages: In addition to the advantages of oxidase, due to the low hydrogen content in the air, it also overcomes the disadvantage that oxidase is not easy to store. Generally, it can be used until the expiration date after opening the can.


Disadvantages: Dehydrogenase not only reacts to glucose in the blood, but also reacts to maltose, galactose, and xylose in the blood. Therefore, it is easy to produce false blood sugar when the patient eats the above carbohydrates and uses the dehydrogenation method to measure. Therefore, general hospitals do not recommend using the dehydrogenation method for measurement.
 

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