4 tips for choosing diabetes testing supplies

Having diabetes isn't quite like having, say, high cholesterol. There's simply more equipment involved. Here are four tips to help you choose the right testing supplies.

Your pharmacy will have a variety of blood-glucose metres, test strips, lancets and other supplies. But check with your insurance company before choosing.

• Most companies limit the types or brands you can buy for reimbursement or coverage.

This is the little sharp tool that you'll use daily to puncture your finger.

• You'll see boxes of these along the shelves next to the blood-glucose metres. They come in varying widths and lengths.
• While you can use the lancet by itself, most people choose to use a lancing device, a gadget that spring-loads the lancet so you can quickly penetrate your skin. The quicker the penetration, the less it stings.
• Many glucose metres come with lancing devices, or even have them built in, but you are free to use a different lancet if you find one that works better for you. Your lancing device will last for a long time, but you'll have to stock plenty of lancets, which are designed for one-time use.

These inexpensive puncture-proof containers have openings designed to let you drop in used lancets, insulin syringes and pen needles without touching any of the unsanitary parts. They also lock when full for safety.

• Used strips, lancets and syringes are considered biohazardous waste.
• Check with your local garbage collection department to ask how you should dispose of your container. You may be able to take your sharps containers to a local hospital, so call them and check.

• Before you prick your finger to check your blood sugar you do need to rid your hands of germs and oils that could throw off your metre's reading, but simply washing with soap and warm water will do the trick.

Alcohol causes more of a sting when the lancet goes in (because the lancet brings some of the alcohol into the skin with it) and it also dries out your skin. If you do use alcohol, let it dry before pricking yourself.

It can be overwhelming to have to introduce new medical equipment into your daily routine. These tips can help you better undertand and choose the testing supplies you need to control your diabetes.