Diabetic Supplies

As Close as your Mailbox or Computer
A Primer for the New Diabetic

If you are a diabetic you know the importance of keeping track of your blood glucose readings on a regular basis. In order for you to do this, you must have the appropriate diabetic testing supplies available and on hand, including an accurate glucometer, alcohol wipes, lancets, and test strips. Where you purchase your diabetic supplies greatly depends on what type of insurance you have. Medicare and Medicaid will cover most of these expenses, but will only cover so much within a certain time period. So if you lose your testing kit, or your glucometer melts in the sun, you may not be able to get more diabetic supplies if it is too soon according to the standards set by your insurance plan.

If you do not have insurance to cover the cost of your diabetic supplies, then you may want to shop around to find the best deal. Even if you do have insurance coverage, you should be aware of the relative advantages and disadvantages of the different testers. Each tester requires a small amount of blood, for starters. How it gets that blood and how much is required is the major difference. The old "finger prick" really gets old after a while and new devices have different ways of getting the blood sample.

The reagent strip or component is another key difference. Some use little strips that poke out from one end of a meter. Others use a little carosel type reagent strip.  Some require more frequent calibration than others.  Online medical supply stores such as www.libertymedical.com, www.diabeticsupplies.com or www.diabeticexpress.com advertise low cost diabetic supplies as well as someone available to answer any questions you may have regarding products they carry. These mail order companies also offer free shipping in many cases, and customers can order up to a three month supply of supplies at a time, so that there is always plenty on hand.

             
BLOOD GLUCOSE TESTERS

Companies like Liberty Medical also have a prescription drug service available, so if you would like you can purchase your diabetic medications as well as your diabetic supplies you can. In spite of those conveniences, we recommend you start your shopping at a well stocked local pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist to show you the various devices and discus them with him or her.  You may even find that some pharmacies   will be able to help you get your testing equipment using your insurance, and on top of that... they might even deliver as well. Yes, we like the on line and mail in, but there's no substitute for a real person showing you a real device before you purchase it.

The importance of always having the appropriate diabetic supplies on hand just goes without saying. Part of managing this chronic disease is monitoring blood glucose levels on a regular basis as directed by your primary health care provider, and in order to do this you must have diabetic supplies readily accessible and available to you. If you do not test often enough, a number of things can happen. Blood glucose can be either too low or too high, and the proper intervention must be taken. Without taking a blood glucose reading it is impossible to know how much insulin is needed (for an insulin dependent diabetic), or if current treatment strategies are working. The importance of having proper diabetic supplies available cannot be stressed enough. Weight control is said to be the best way to manage the disase, but to know the results of your management, testing is absolutely mandatory. Of course, following the physician prescribed regimen including taking medications as prescribed, and exercising and eating well is a must. Diabetes is completely manageable with the proper equipment and medical intervention.  

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