The functions of a glucometer offer numerous benefits, including the ability to monitor your blood sugar independently. However, the advantages and disadvantages of glucometer cannot be easily separated, even though the benefits are evident.

The advantages and disadvantages of glucometers include rapid detection for appropriate action, prevention of complications, finger pain, and potential inaccuracy, which may be factors to consider when deciding whether to use them.

This article will inform you about some of the advantages and disadvantages of glucometer that you can consider.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Glucometer

Like any other electronic device, a glucometer has several advantages that can be utilized and disadvantages to consider.

The advantages of glucometers include ease of use, portability, increased awareness, and reduced need for emergency care, while the disadvantages include results that are only valid at that moment, causing finger pain, and potential inaccuracy. The following are the advantages and disadvantages of glucometer:

The Advantages of Glucometer

Here are the advantages of glucometer:

Easy to use and carry around

One of the advantages of a glucometer is that it is easy to use and carry around. Using this medical device does not require any special skills. 

You can easily use it by simply dropping a drop of blood onto the strip, and the results will appear in a few seconds. Its small size and light weight also make it easy to carry around, so you can use it anywhere.

Quick detection for appropriate action

It only takes a few seconds after applying a drop of blood to the strip to find out your blood sugar level. This allows you to make quick decisions. You can take anticipatory measures by changing your diet, exercising regularly, and taking medication if necessary.

Increasing awareness

By regularly checking your blood sugar levels yourself, you will always be aware of the results provided by the glucometer. This will help you increase your awareness in managing yourself, from maintaining your diet, regulating your activities, and adjusting your lifestyle.

Preventing complications

This is one of the advantages of long-term glucometer use. You can avoid the risk of complications such as kidney problems, nerve damage, and vision problems by keeping your blood sugar levels within safe limits. This is possible because of the regular self-monitoring you do.

Reducing emergency treatment

Regular self-monitoring motivates people with diabetes to take care of their health. This reduces the risk of emergency treatment in the hospital because issues are identified and prevented before they become severe. This means you won't cause your family to panic due to a sudden emergency.

The Disadvantages of Glucometer

Here are the disadvantages of glucometer:

Results are only for that moment

A glucometer only measures blood sugar levels at that moment, which means that a few moments later, the level may change due to poor lifestyle choices. Therefore, you need to check regularly and continuously to find out about any changes in your blood sugar levels.

Causes finger pain

To perform its function, a glucometer must take a blood sample by pricking the fingertip. This procedure is certainly uncomfortable, especially if it has to be done repeatedly. Another minor risk is infection if the device used to prick the finger is not clean.

Potential for inaccuracy

Potential for inaccurate glucometer results can occur if the strips are expired or incompatible with the brand of device being used. In addition, incorrect use that does not follow the instructions and too little blood can affect the accuracy of the reading.

Cost of test strips

To be able to check your blood sugar regularly and continuously, you will need to have test strips available at all times. This means you will need to spend money on buying test strips regularly.

Those are the advantages and disadvantages of glucometer to consider before deciding to use one. Despite its limitations, the glucometer has been able to ease the use, increase portability, increase awareness, and reduce the need for emergency care.