| Device |
How it works |
Considerations |
| Alternative site monitor |
An alternative site monitor allows you to
take blood samples from areas likely to be less
painful than your finger, such as your arm,
abdomen or thigh. |
Blood samples from alternative sites are not
as accurate as fingertip samples when your blood
sugar level is rising or falling quickly. |
| Infrared light monitor |
An infrared light monitor uses a beam of
light to penetrate the skin and measure your
blood sugar level. |
Variations in blood pressure, body
temperature and other factors can affect the
accuracy of blood sugar readings with infrared
light monitors. You may need to periodically
check your blood sugar level with a traditional
monitor to confirm blood sugar readings. |
| Skin testing |
A skin testing device, worn like a watch,
uses small electrical currents to repeatedly
pull tiny amounts of fluid from your skin to a
special sensor pad. An alarm can warn you if
your blood sugar level becomes too low or too
high. |
Skin irritation is possible, and the device
isn't effective if you're sweating heavily. You
may need to periodically check your blood sugar
level with a traditional monitor to confirm
blood sugar readings. |
| Continuous glucose testing |
A continuous glucose testing device uses a
sensor placed under your skin to measure your
blood sugar level. Each reading is transmitted
to a small recording device worn on your body.
An alarm can warn you if your blood sugar level
becomes too low or too high. |
The sensor is expensive — typically costing
between $1,000 and $2,000 — and must be moved
every few days. You may need to periodically
check your blood sugar level with a traditional
monitor to confirm blood sugar readings. |
