This is the one about my dream blood glucose monitor
Posted August 16th, 2010 by Mike Lawson
Dear people who make blood glucose monitors,
Testing your blood glucose levels sucks. Totally blows. Pricking your fingers and recording your numbers is a freaking chore. One of the few upsides of having diabetes is playing with all the gadgets and technologies that are made to make our lives easier.
My blood glucose meter is pretty lame sauce though. I use the One Touch Ultra 2, but I also use a One Touch Mini at times.
Here is a list of things that I wished my meter could do. Some of them are simple things that you guys could easily merge into the newest version, and other things are crazy dreams that might take some more effort.
LOG EVERYTHING – I know that “blood glucose meters” are really only responsible for logging my blood glucose levels…but I want a place to log how much I inject, how many carbohydrates I eat and the time I spend exercising. What a huge selling point it would be if my meter could keep track of everything diabetes instead of just my bgl. I want to be able to link my glucose levels to real events.
ADD AN ALARM – I’m not just talking about a ring-when-i-tell-it-to alarm. I want a smarter alarm than that. As stated above, I want my meter to keep track of my carbohydrates…and then two hours later beeps to remind me to do an after-meal test. And maybe this is going over board, but I want it to keep beeping until I’ve tested.
CONNECT VIA WI-FI – This might be asking too much. But I’d like to be able to sync the data on my monitor via wi-fi to an online spreadsheet. Any time I enter a hotspot I can choose to sync. No wires. Just a simple press of a button.
SMALLER – This is something that might take some time to perfect, but I’d like all the above features in a meter that was about the size of an iPod nano. Skinny and sleek, yet functional and useful.
COACH – If I were uploading my data regularly via wi-fi, all of my numbers would be easily accessed by a coach that could give me suggestions on how to perfect my levels. I know that there are bizarre laws about privacy and health care, and I can’t imagine any company that would dish out medical advice because they would fear getting sued…but this is MY dream.
CHEAPER STRIPS – Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the strips only cost a penny instead of a dollar?
DATA SORTING – I’m a graph nerd. I love seeing my numbers in a line graph. I really enjoy figuring out my average fasting BGL. And the dream meter of the future would do all that for me. Not just an average BGL…but more specific. For example: your average after-lunch glucose level is 109.
PRETTY PRINT OUTS – After I’ve uploaded everything, I want to hit a button and print a range of my glucose levels and activities for the doctor. Additionally, the print out should have a box of special events. For example: In the past three weeks Mike has had four readings below 40 mg/dl.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT – Diabetes is hard. I want my meter to recognize when I’m doing well and to tell me “wow…that’s three readings in a row that are right on target. Good job!”
I don’t care if you makers-of-meters use any of my ideas. Take them, please. But if you feel like you owe me something, you could send me a complimentary meter with a few strips.
And readers, what am I missing? Add in the comments any features you’d like to see on a glucose monitor.
10 Responses to “This is the one about my dream blood glucose monitor”
August 16th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Sounds like you could benefit from the One Touch UltraSmart for at least some of those features. (Although not nearly all of them.) I have been using that one for a long time now and I really like it. That said, I’m about to trial the Contour USB meter, which I’m hoping to love even more. If I do, I’m sure I’ll blog about, but I’ll try to remember to email you too!
August 16th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Bethany,
Just blog it girl! You know I read your blog every day!
August 16th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
I’m thinking I would love the ContourUSB, too. I use an Omnipod, though, and the PDM feels like a cell phone from the 90′s. I think it would be great if the BG monitor would wipe my ass. A definite bonus!
August 16th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
After having to give up my freestyle because it doesn’t communicate with my new pump I am defiantly missing the little light that shines on the strip for middle of the night or movie theater testing! I think this should be a necessary on every single meter. Aside from that I agree with your list.
August 19th, 2010 at 8:43 am
As Bethany said, it sounds like the OneTouch UltraSmart is the way to go. Sure you’re not going to get all those features, becuase as you said, some of them are just unrealistic
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to upload all my data to my computer becuase I use Windows 7 and its not compatible yet (something to remember if you’re thinking about it!), but from what I’ve seen of what its supposed to be able to do, its great!
I’m a data freak and I love seeing numbers and charts and graphs and trends and… etc… and so thats why I got it
August 19th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Isn’t it kind of annoying that your meter isn’t compatible with your computer? That’s why it’d be great if your meter could just sync wirelessly to some web-based storage site. Then you’d never have to worry about what computer you were on or wires.
And nice blog Lynn! I just added you to my daily reads!
August 20th, 2010 at 7:19 am
@MikeL yes its incredibly annoying! I’ve emailed them twice about it! So i actually use Kevin’s log (parenthetic-diabetic.blogspot.com) with some minor changes and plug my numbers in, thats how I get my graphs and data in a printable format. When I bought the meter (with my own money, not covered by insurance), I didn’t know it wasn’t compatible
Glad you like the blog! I’m never really sure if anyone actually reads it lol
August 21st, 2010 at 2:45 pm
I use the itest…it requires the smallest amount of blood. I have had diabetes for 26 years, and this machine has changed my life! It also hooks up to the computer so you can download your information. You can see basically anything in different types of graphs and charts! It has alarms that you can set and it is very tiny! I know it is not a very popular machine, but I would recommend it to anyone!
August 23rd, 2010 at 8:33 pm
How about a glucose testing machine that is super-accurate, AND doesn’t require us to draw blood 8 times a day!
I would like that very much. Sometimes I really want to do another test, but my fingertips get in such a state that I worry they won’t heal properly.
But you’re right about wanting those features. There is so much data to keep track of, and without proper graphs and tracking tools, it gets overwhelming. It makes me want to design something!
March 31st, 2011 at 4:46 am
I think I would also love this too. Its a good thing that there is a gadget that would easily and conveniently monitor your blood glucose. You’ve got a very informative blog! thanks for the info!
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