I’ve now been testing my blood sugar four times a day, so it seemed time to review the Ultra Touch 2 Glucose Meter and Lancing Device I am using. I did not get to select the device, it was chosen for me, and this is my only exposure to using or even seeing one up until this point.
The starter kit came with many things including the carrying case, nice and discreet in black, which could pass for a small makeup or shaving kit.
It also includes lots and lots of information with directions in English and Spanish. My dietician did such a great job explaining and showing me how to use it that I didn’t even look at them for a few days.
The case is neat with pockets (though I do wish it had more), and the monitor fits snuggly inside, I can and have tested without removing it. After a few days of using it, I noticed the lancet was easier to use but there was so much more blood coming out of my fingers. It turns out the knob on the bottom had gone from 1 to 4. I can’t even imagine how the 7 would feel.
The box is clearly labeled that there are no strips included.
It turns out there are actually 10 strips included, yet they expired. Perhaps that is why I got pretty low readings when I used them, in fact they were so low at first I was doubting I even had Gestational Diabetes. They also are prone to error, two strips had a general error so I had to throw them out, unused.
This is the first thing you see when a strip is put in correctly.
It then directs you to put the blood sample in at the top.
After reading the instructions, I learned there were options to flag the readings with before or after meal, including others I have not used including stress, too much food, too little food and other choices.
You can also get results by category which I’ve found helpful.
I’ve liked seeing my averages and how one high or low reading can change them so much.
The lancet has been easy to use, though how fast the dial in could be moved inadvertently was a little concerning. The meter does its job well, though I wish numbers could be downloaded or sent via email as that is useful information for doctors and others to have. This is not a product I want to use or like to use, but this problems and a few test strip blips aside, it works well.
Rating – four baby booties out of five
~ Danielle
Over 40 First Time Mom 