What diabetic testing supplies are available in the market?
Diabetic testing supplies have evolved with technology to offer people with diabetes the possibility of testing their blood sugars and monitoring them even from home. The essential diabetic testing supply one needs is a home glucose monitoring kit. These are now available in really small sizes even as small as a pen drive. Secondly, we need a lancet or lancing device to collect the necessary blood for the test. Thirdly, diabetes testing strips are usually available with most glucose monitors. These strips have to be inserted into the glucose monitor. Other diabetes medical supplies include insulin, glucose control solutions and also therapeutic medical shoes specially designed for use by diabetics with peripheral neuropathy to prevent injury or bleeding.
How do I test my sugar levels at home using diabetic testing supplies?
First clean your hands well. Then, insert a testing strip into the glucose monitor. Using the lancing device carefully prick the side of a fingertip to draw just a drop of blood. Carefully place the drop of blood onto the testing strip. The blood sugar reading will appear on the screen of the glucose monitor.
How does blood sugar testing strip work?
Most test strips contain a specific enzyme called glucose oxidase that reacts with glucose present in the blood. This reaction triggers an electric signal which is read by an electrode that is interfaced with the strip. The digital reading that appears indicates the level of glucose in the blood and is calibrated to record the electric signal.
What kind of diabetic testing supplies are covered by Medicare?
If you are covered under a Part B Medicare plan, it should cover your expenses with regard to certain diabetic testing supplies such as blood sugar test strips, glucose monitors, insulin, and lancets, lancet protection devises that are known as durable medical supplies up to a certain monthly or annual limit. However, depending on what your doctor recommends you may require more of the diabetic supplies than what is covered under the terms of your medical insurance policy.