What's the deal with all these free blood glucose metres. I want one.
September 11, 2024 2:23 PM Subscribe
I am in Toronto. I would like one of these free blood glucose metres that supposedly everyone is always giving out. How do I get one? Which one do I get? I am not diabetic.
I am recovering from surgery. I am having symptoms that I believe may be essentially hypoglycemia. I am working with my family doctor to figure this out and mentioning it to the various specialists as I have appointments with them. However, it might be useful to have some actual data on my hypoglycemia hypothesis. So if I wanted to check my blood sugar either x times per day or every Y hours or whenever I suddenly randomly feel like shit, I would like a glucose metre to do that. There's a Shoppers next door to me. Can i just walk in there and say "give me that one"? Which one" I hate finger pricks. I are there non finger-prick options? I assume that the deal is the metre is free because I will have to spend money on some kind of accessory? What's my best bet for not blowing a tonne of money here, not suffering too much, not being too miserable, and not being overcomplicated
I have already had a random blood glucose which blood test (taken shortly after I ate) which was normal. I honestly don't think I could do a fasting glucose in a lab right now.
I am recovering from surgery. I am having symptoms that I believe may be essentially hypoglycemia. I am working with my family doctor to figure this out and mentioning it to the various specialists as I have appointments with them. However, it might be useful to have some actual data on my hypoglycemia hypothesis. So if I wanted to check my blood sugar either x times per day or every Y hours or whenever I suddenly randomly feel like shit, I would like a glucose metre to do that. There's a Shoppers next door to me. Can i just walk in there and say "give me that one"? Which one" I hate finger pricks. I are there non finger-prick options? I assume that the deal is the metre is free because I will have to spend money on some kind of accessory? What's my best bet for not blowing a tonne of money here, not suffering too much, not being too miserable, and not being overcomplicated
I have already had a random blood glucose which blood test (taken shortly after I ate) which was normal. I honestly don't think I could do a fasting glucose in a lab right now.
It’s free in some cases if you buy the strips. That would be the prick kind. I think they run around $85/100. Not sure what Shoppers carries.
With a prescription in Ontario some of the filament kinds are “free” if you’re on ODSB or a senior and you’ve already paid your deductible for the year. Otherwise they need insurance.
posted by warriorqueen at 2:50 PM on September 11
With a prescription in Ontario some of the filament kinds are “free” if you’re on ODSB or a senior and you’ve already paid your deductible for the year. Otherwise they need insurance.
posted by warriorqueen at 2:50 PM on September 11
Did a search for "Canada free glucose meter" and found this.
Get your free glucose meter
You could pick "Decline to answer" on the diabetic questions. I think they send you a coupon you redeem in store. It might be at the pharmacy but I'm not sure.
posted by stray thoughts at 3:32 PM on September 11
Get your free glucose meter
You could pick "Decline to answer" on the diabetic questions. I think they send you a coupon you redeem in store. It might be at the pharmacy but I'm not sure.
posted by stray thoughts at 3:32 PM on September 11
The basic options are:
A. Blood glucose meters. These involve finger-sticks and yes, a bunch of consumable supplies (lancets and test strips). You would need to get four things:
1. glucose meter (the device that reads your tiny blood sample and shows a number on the screen)
2. test strips (these go in the meter, one per test, and you must get the matching/compatible kind)
3. lancing/fingerprick device
4. lancets (replaceable mini-needles that go in the lancing device, again you must get the matching/compatible kind)
The supplies will all be stocked near each other. You could just go look in Shoppers and see what's in that aisle and see if it's within your budget for curiosity.
The basic procedure: Put a lancet in the lancing device. Hold it to your fingertip, press a button on it to trigger a little jab that makes a little hole, squeeze a drop of blood up. Put the drop of blood on the end of a test strip (it should kind of suck the blood up as if thru capillary action), then you slide the test strip into the glucose meter.
B. If you want a non-fingerstick option: these days there are temporary Continuous Glucose Meters that are sometimes called Flash Glucose Meters... Freestyle Libre is one brand, I think Dexcom also has one. This is a sensor that you apply to your arm with an applicator device - it does "stick" a little filament inside you but that only needs to be done once per two weeks or so. It looks like a small round plastic cookie stuck to your arm. You can then read your glucose level any time you want, using either a separate "reader" that you need to buy or using a free phone app -- the method of accessing the data varies by device so be sure to check what you're getting. I don't know if there are limits on availability for these.
(Also worth knowing, strictly speaking these test your interstitial fluid and infer your blood glucose, so the readings can be a little different and you want to take that into account when interpreting the data. This shouldn't be a problem for your purposes but worth knowing.)
posted by LobsterMitten at 3:46 PM on September 11 [1 favorite]
A. Blood glucose meters. These involve finger-sticks and yes, a bunch of consumable supplies (lancets and test strips). You would need to get four things:
1. glucose meter (the device that reads your tiny blood sample and shows a number on the screen)
2. test strips (these go in the meter, one per test, and you must get the matching/compatible kind)
3. lancing/fingerprick device
4. lancets (replaceable mini-needles that go in the lancing device, again you must get the matching/compatible kind)
The supplies will all be stocked near each other. You could just go look in Shoppers and see what's in that aisle and see if it's within your budget for curiosity.
The basic procedure: Put a lancet in the lancing device. Hold it to your fingertip, press a button on it to trigger a little jab that makes a little hole, squeeze a drop of blood up. Put the drop of blood on the end of a test strip (it should kind of suck the blood up as if thru capillary action), then you slide the test strip into the glucose meter.
B. If you want a non-fingerstick option: these days there are temporary Continuous Glucose Meters that are sometimes called Flash Glucose Meters... Freestyle Libre is one brand, I think Dexcom also has one. This is a sensor that you apply to your arm with an applicator device - it does "stick" a little filament inside you but that only needs to be done once per two weeks or so. It looks like a small round plastic cookie stuck to your arm. You can then read your glucose level any time you want, using either a separate "reader" that you need to buy or using a free phone app -- the method of accessing the data varies by device so be sure to check what you're getting. I don't know if there are limits on availability for these.
(Also worth knowing, strictly speaking these test your interstitial fluid and infer your blood glucose, so the readings can be a little different and you want to take that into account when interpreting the data. This shouldn't be a problem for your purposes but worth knowing.)
posted by LobsterMitten at 3:46 PM on September 11 [1 favorite]
I tried a Continuous Glucose Monitor a few months ago—the Freestyle Libre 14-day. I was similar to you in that I wanted some data about my body to better understand my metabolism. I didn't need the higher accuracy of a glucometer for my purposes since I'm not diabetic. I also had a somewhat high A1c test so my doctor was able to write me a prescription (which is required in the US). After insurance, it was not free but maybe $28? The device and app were easy to install and use. No pain or blood to deal with. However, I highly recommend finding a professional who knows how to interpret the data, like a Certified Diabetes Educator. Otherwise you might leap to some incorrect assumptions about what is going on. Or maybe your doctor is familiar with CGMs. Just having the data alone can be quite interesting, but without guidance it's not very actionable on its own.
posted by oxisos at 4:15 PM on September 11
posted by oxisos at 4:15 PM on September 11
The meter is free. The lancets and the test strips are pricey. You need a prescription for those. The reason the meter is free is because each brand uses different lancets and test strips. If they give you a free meter than you will buy the same brand of lancets and test strips.
I understand that like many products the accessories are rather more expensive in Canada than in the US.
It doesn't look like they still sell the pee strips, which might not be good for what you want, but you could ask the pharmacist. Those at least would not require you to do finger pricks.
posted by Jane the Brown at 5:31 PM on September 11
I understand that like many products the accessories are rather more expensive in Canada than in the US.
It doesn't look like they still sell the pee strips, which might not be good for what you want, but you could ask the pharmacist. Those at least would not require you to do finger pricks.
posted by Jane the Brown at 5:31 PM on September 11
Response by poster: Again, not familiar with how things are done in Canada, but I can't imagine the first step in any sort of diagnosis does not involve fasting bloodwork done in a lab. Even for some reason the doctor does not dismiss your homegrown test results out of hand, he/she is certainly going to want to test your blood for the all things that could cause the low blood sugar in the first place.
Following answers so far. And also realizing that I can't do this without consulting my doctor because I don't think I can safely bleed myself right now without asking my doc for permission. But anyway just wanted to clarify this point, first, my doc is taking it seriously and is running everything he can think of and they ran a million tests in the hospital, too and no explanation has presented itself yet. And the reason I said I don't think I can manage a fasting blood test in a lab is that I'm pretty sure if I don't eat anything from midnight and then try to get up and get to a lab I will pass out before having successfully gotten to a lab and had blood drawn. I was actually about to suggest the fasting blood test drink the orange juice test again etc. etc. test they do during pregnancy to my doc and then realized I really don't think I could do it.
But yeah, what's the monitor that will cost me the least for accessories etc., and then if the doc says it's ok I'll get that one.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:42 PM on September 11
Following answers so far. And also realizing that I can't do this without consulting my doctor because I don't think I can safely bleed myself right now without asking my doc for permission. But anyway just wanted to clarify this point, first, my doc is taking it seriously and is running everything he can think of and they ran a million tests in the hospital, too and no explanation has presented itself yet. And the reason I said I don't think I can manage a fasting blood test in a lab is that I'm pretty sure if I don't eat anything from midnight and then try to get up and get to a lab I will pass out before having successfully gotten to a lab and had blood drawn. I was actually about to suggest the fasting blood test drink the orange juice test again etc. etc. test they do during pregnancy to my doc and then realized I really don't think I could do it.
But yeah, what's the monitor that will cost me the least for accessories etc., and then if the doc says it's ok I'll get that one.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:42 PM on September 11
What happens when you follow guidelines for a diabetic diet? Do symptoms improve? (Are you able to follow a diet like that given you’re recovering at home? Is someone able to help you with meal prep?)
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:54 PM on September 11
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:54 PM on September 11
Response by poster: I don't know what guidelines for a diabetic diet are.
I do seem to wake up in better shape if I A) Eat overnight (like literally keep food and drink on my nightstand and eat a little when I wake up in the night and B) Get up and eat immediately in the morning. Like chug down an ensure/boost and whatever else I can find as soon as I wake up. And during the rest of the day I feel better for don't-feel-like-I'm-going-to-pass-out-purposes if I eat to the point where I feel completely over-stuffed (which does not require that much food). One of the specialists I will be seeing has some side-knowledge of endocrinology and my doc definitely wants me to discuss this with them and may send me to an endocrinologist if things don't either reveal themselves with ongoing testing or resolve (we're still pretty early it could just resolve).
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:18 PM on September 11 [1 favorite]
I do seem to wake up in better shape if I A) Eat overnight (like literally keep food and drink on my nightstand and eat a little when I wake up in the night and B) Get up and eat immediately in the morning. Like chug down an ensure/boost and whatever else I can find as soon as I wake up. And during the rest of the day I feel better for don't-feel-like-I'm-going-to-pass-out-purposes if I eat to the point where I feel completely over-stuffed (which does not require that much food). One of the specialists I will be seeing has some side-knowledge of endocrinology and my doc definitely wants me to discuss this with them and may send me to an endocrinologist if things don't either reveal themselves with ongoing testing or resolve (we're still pretty early it could just resolve).
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:18 PM on September 11 [1 favorite]
I don't think I can safely bleed myself
That’s a pretty dramatic way to describe pricking yourself in the finger. I think you may be psyching yourself out here.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:33 PM on September 11 [2 favorites]
That’s a pretty dramatic way to describe pricking yourself in the finger. I think you may be psyching yourself out here.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:33 PM on September 11 [2 favorites]
Could be blood volume loss if drinking is helping… could still have bleeding from the surgery - I’m assuming they checked your hemoglobin and iron *after the surgery*? Could be cardiological, did they do anything to check your heart? The endocrinologist referral, sure lots of possibilities there (including hormonal imbalances in turn affecting heart function).
If you’re in this state, seriously going back to the ER would not be a waste of time. I would go to a different hospital. TGH if that’s not where you went before.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:26 AM on September 12 [1 favorite]
If you’re in this state, seriously going back to the ER would not be a waste of time. I would go to a different hospital. TGH if that’s not where you went before.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:26 AM on September 12 [1 favorite]
I have type 2 diabetes since 10+ years.
Honestly, Just measuring your blood glucose without any specific in person instructions by a specialist (where i live this would be a nurse working for a diabetes specialist MD), and instructions on a diabetes food plan, your measurements will be useless. The measurements need a context (what did you eat? How much did you eat?) to determine how and when your blood glucose rises.
The link between food and blood glucose is direct, and easy to understand once someone qualified explains it. But i am very sceptical a diy approach will help you in the long term.
I would assume a HbA1c blood Test was done, as it is standard for diagnosis. If not, this is in my opinion the first step. After that, get help from a medical professional on how to measure.
posted by 15L06 at 1:58 AM on September 12 [5 favorites]
Honestly, Just measuring your blood glucose without any specific in person instructions by a specialist (where i live this would be a nurse working for a diabetes specialist MD), and instructions on a diabetes food plan, your measurements will be useless. The measurements need a context (what did you eat? How much did you eat?) to determine how and when your blood glucose rises.
The link between food and blood glucose is direct, and easy to understand once someone qualified explains it. But i am very sceptical a diy approach will help you in the long term.
I would assume a HbA1c blood Test was done, as it is standard for diagnosis. If not, this is in my opinion the first step. After that, get help from a medical professional on how to measure.
posted by 15L06 at 1:58 AM on September 12 [5 favorites]
If you want to find out whether the symptoms you're experiencing might be related to hypoglycemia then using a glucose meter can be actually really helpful. The meter is not as precise as a blood test would be but it's close enough and getting these measurements is a good start. If there's enough to go on, these measurements can help your doctor decide if you need more testing.
An HbA1c level might or might not be helpful - it reflects your average glucose levels over the past few months but won't show whether or not you have hypoglycemic episodes.
A CGM device can show whether you have hypoglycemic episodes that you're not aware of. If you combine it with tracking your symptoms it could be helpful as well.
posted by M. at 4:28 AM on September 12 [1 favorite]
An HbA1c level might or might not be helpful - it reflects your average glucose levels over the past few months but won't show whether or not you have hypoglycemic episodes.
A CGM device can show whether you have hypoglycemic episodes that you're not aware of. If you combine it with tracking your symptoms it could be helpful as well.
posted by M. at 4:28 AM on September 12 [1 favorite]
Want a free glucose meter in Ontario?
If you want the diet guidelines, talk to your local community Health Centre diabetes care program. They have nurses and dietitians .
The downside of the free meter is that, in exchange for your address, Roche get your contact details. You will likely start getting (more?) junk mail designed for old people.
source: me, a person who isn't diabetic yet takes Metformin, occasionally has to get stabby-stabby with the AccuChek and is registered with the local diabetes care program, all for reasons that are entirely none of your beeswax.
posted by scruss at 11:14 AM on September 12
- Go to Wal-Mart (they are the cheapest);
- Buy a pack of test strips (AccuChek Guide) and lancets (AccuChek SoftClix);
- Say you don't have a meter;
- Give them your name and address;
- Get a "free" meter.
- Self-refer at your local community Health Centre diabetes care program: they will have a self-referral form that doesn't require a doctor's note;
- Get a free meter at your first meeting with the nurse and be shown how to use it.
If you want the diet guidelines, talk to your local community Health Centre diabetes care program. They have nurses and dietitians .
The downside of the free meter is that, in exchange for your address, Roche get your contact details. You will likely start getting (more?) junk mail designed for old people.
source: me, a person who isn't diabetic yet takes Metformin, occasionally has to get stabby-stabby with the AccuChek and is registered with the local diabetes care program, all for reasons that are entirely none of your beeswax.
posted by scruss at 11:14 AM on September 12
"While there are some products that purport to be completely non-invasive, the FDA response to those is effectively"
I would counter-bet this. Expect to see such a product soon.
posted by maloqueiro at 12:19 PM on September 12
I would counter-bet this. Expect to see such a product soon.
posted by maloqueiro at 12:19 PM on September 12
For people in Germany and probably in the rest of the EU, you can get a Freestyle Libre 3 for about 66 Euros directly from Abbot's website. 14 days of continuous glucose monitoring with just your phone.
If your are obese and/or getting older this might be interesting for you (and your doctor) to see if you are at risk to get type 2 diabetes and it might be interesting for type 2 diabetics who are not on insulin and only get their HbA1c checked every few month, to see if you have blood sugar spikes. (As mentioned above HbA1c correlates to your long term average blood glucose level, it doesn't show if you have intermittent unhealthy glucose spikes).
Or you can see if you qualify for their free test sample or get your doctor to prescribe you one.
I do that every two years because I am quite overweight and getting older.
posted by mmkhd at 6:37 AM on September 13
If your are obese and/or getting older this might be interesting for you (and your doctor) to see if you are at risk to get type 2 diabetes and it might be interesting for type 2 diabetics who are not on insulin and only get their HbA1c checked every few month, to see if you have blood sugar spikes. (As mentioned above HbA1c correlates to your long term average blood glucose level, it doesn't show if you have intermittent unhealthy glucose spikes).
Or you can see if you qualify for their free test sample or get your doctor to prescribe you one.
I do that every two years because I am quite overweight and getting older.
posted by mmkhd at 6:37 AM on September 13
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Yes, in the sense that a sensor is semi-permanently inserted under your skim. So, likely not what you have mind.
While there are some products that purport to be completely non-invasive, the FDA response to those is effectively: "Lol, don't be a fucking moron and trust your life to those things".
I assume that the deal is the metre is free because I will have to spend money on some kind of accessory?
Not sure about up north, but down here the monitors are generally supplied in this manner because the orgs paying for them realizes that the stuff they are going to have to pay for as the result of untreated diabetes is a lot more cost intensive than the ones related in providing the monitors.
I honestly don't think I could do a fasting glucose in a lab right now.
Again, not familiar with how things are done in Canada, but I can't imagine the first step in any sort of diagnosis does not involve fasting bloodwork done in a lab. Even for some reason the doctor does not dismiss your homegrown test results out of hand, he/she is certainly going to want to test your blood for the all things that could cause the low blood sugar in the first place.
posted by Back At It Again At Krispy Kreme at 2:42 PM on September 11 [2 favorites]