liviNg
Alternate options
the accu-chek range of blood test
meters includes a selection that feature
blood test strips (sensors) but a few years
ago they added in a new option, the
mobile blood test system. this features a
cassette that has a long piece of reagent
strip (see the meter, far right, and the
cassette, right). this novel idea meant
that each new cassette could do up to
50 tests before a new one needed to be
installed. With a detachable finger-pricker
attached to the side, it meant that a test
could be completed all in one go. the
cassette strip technology is great for those
who find fiddling about with a new sensor
each time you need to do a test (so those
with small or less dexterous hands), or
people who are pressed for time. it saves
on chucking away test strips too (they do
end up everywhere don’t they?).
COUNTING THE COST. If you were to buy your strips, you would find that (with some variation) they cost between 50p-£1.00
per strip (or in the case of the mobile cassette, per test). Depending on which way you look at it, that may seem a lot or a little.
the bigger cost is the loss of your health if you do not test, and the cost to the nHs in bed spaces if you require hospitalisation
for diabetes-related health issues later in life. the real cost is what will occur if you do not blood test. if you are having problems
accessing test strips from your gP contact the Diabetes uk careline for support and information, even if you have type 2.