When to Test?
Your doctor and diabetes educator will tell you how often to test and when to test your child’s BGL. Most children and teenagers test before meals, at bedtime, when they are playing sport, feeling low or not feeling well. Not all children with diabetes do all of these tests, it depends on how their diabetes is managed.

Blood Glucose Meter
There are a number of blood glucose meters on the market for you to choose from. The meter should maintained according to the manufacturers specifications and calibrated regularly. A drop of blood from a fingerprick is the requirement for the current meters and some of these provide alternate site testing and ketone testing. Your diabetes educator will help you with your choice. Many meters have a down loading facility for plotting graphs of recorded blood glucose levels. Click here for information on current meters.

Blood Glucose Test Strips
There are blood glucose test strips that match each blood glucose meter. Your child should join the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) in order to receive subsidised prices on strips. Click here for information on NDSS.

Ketone Test Strips
There are two methods of testing for ketones – by testing blood and by testing urine:

Blood Ketone Test Strips
There are meters available to test blood for ketones that may be more convenient for children and teenagers. The same drop of blood to be tested for glucose can be used to test for ketones. Different strips are used for testing glucose and ketones. The ketone strips are not covered by the NDSS at present.

Urine Ketone Test Strips
Ketone testing strips are still available to test for ketones. A sample of urine must be obtained and tested. Children usually hold the strip in their urine stream as they go to the toilet.

Fingerprickers/Lancets
Your child will need a fingerpricker with a lancet attached to obtain the drop of blood to test their BGL. The meters for alternate site testing usually have a special device to go with the meter. Your educator will advise on the best device for your child, depending on age. There are a number of devices on the market that can be adjusted for depth.

Diabetes Record Book/Diary
It is important for you and your child/teenager to record blood glucose levels in a diary specifically for the purpose. This will show you patterns of BGL's that will assist you and your diabetes team to adjust insulin doses and plan management.

Sharps Disposal
All used syringes, pen needles and lancets should be placed in an approved sharps container available at chemists and Diabetes Australia. Many chemists and councils have special provision for disposal of these containers when full. If your local council has no such provision, your hospital or clinic may be able to help.

HbA1c or Haemoglobin A1c
This test measures overall blood glucose control over the previous two to three months and should be carried out every three months at your child’s clinic visit. It gives your doctor important information about long term blood glucose control.

Current meters

The following meters are currently available on the market and provide additional benefits for children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes eg. alternate site testing and blood ketone testing. To find the best one for you, discuss the options with your Diabetes Team.

Blood Glucose Meters
Abbott MediSense 1800 801 478
Optium	Strips (NDSS Code)	Optium Glucose Electrode Strips (ME27). Capillary action strip.
	Sample Size	Glucose- 3.5uL Ketone - 5uL
	Test Time	Glucose- 20 sec Ketone- 30 sec
	Memory	450
	Date & Time	Yes
	Range	1.1 - 33.3 mmol/L Converts to mg/dl
	Batteries	2x AAA. Lasts approx 1000 tests
	Other Features & Benefits	Blood glucose and ketone testing (using same blood source with separate strips) makes this a good choice for people with type 1 diabetes. True Measure Technology. Other languages available on screen. Averages out blood glucose readings.
	Software	Precision Link Direct
Optium Xceed	Strips (NDSS Code)	Optium Glucose Electrode Strips (ME27). Foil wrapped. Capillary action strip.
	Sample Size	Glucose- 1.5ul Ketone - 5uL
	Test Time	Glucose- 10 sec Ketone- 30 sec
	Memory	450
	Date & Time	Yes
	Range	1.1-27.8 mmol/L converts to mg/dl
	Batteries	1x CR 2032 lithium. Lasts approx 1000 tests
	Other Features & Benefits	Blood ketones capability. Alternate site testing under certain conditions. 7, 14 & 30 day glucose averaging. Backlite.Small and light weight.
	Software	Precision Link Direct
Freestyle Lite	Strips (NDSS Code)	Freestyle Lite Blood Glucose Strips (ME44).   Capillary fill strip
	Sample Size	0.3 ul
	Test Time	5 sec
	Memory	7,14 and 30 day averages. 400 test results
	Date & Time	Yes
	Range	1.1-27.8 mmol/L
	Batteries	#2032 volt lithium performs 500 tests
	Other Features & Benefits	benefits Auto-adjusts for temperature variables, auto-detects the effect of humidity. Alternative site testing.
	Software	Infra-red download capability
Roche Diagnostics 1800 251 816
Accuchek Performa	Strips (NDSS Code)	Accu-Check Performa Blood Glucose Strips (BM 107). Capillary fill strip
	Sample Size	0.6ul
	Test Time	5 seconds
	Memory	14 and 30 day averages. 500 test results
	Date & Time	Yes
	Range	0.6-33 mmol/l
	Batteries	3-volt lithium type CR 2032
	Other Features & Benefits	Auto-adjusts for temperature variables, auto-detects the effect of humidity.  Alternative site testing.
	Software	Infra-red download capability
Accuchek Go	Strips (NDSS Code)	Accu-Check Go Blood Glucose Strips (BM 35). Bottle. Capillary fill strip.
	Sample Size	1.5ul
	Test Time	5 sec
	Memory	300
	Date & Time	yes
	Range	0.6 - 33.3 mmol/L
	Batteries	Lithium CR2430 Lasts approx 1000 tests
	Other Features & Benefits	Alternate site testing. Lifetime warrenty. Free batteries
	Software	Will be compatible Accu-Check Compass end 2004
Accuchek Integra	Strips (NDSS Code)	(BM39) No strip handling due to the 17-test drum for a more convenient way to test. Capillary fill test strips
	Sample Size	1.5ul
	Test Time	15 seconds
	Memory	7 day averaging - 100 value memory with time and date
	Date & Time	Yes
	Range	automatically coded when the 17-test drum is loaded
	Batteries	AAA
	Other Features & Benefits	Alternate site testing option Palm, forearm, upper calf, calf
	Software	Must be bought separately
Point of Care Diagnostics 1800 640 075
SensoCard	Strips (NDSS Code)	SensoCard Glucose Electrode strips (PC05)
	Sample Size	0.5 ul
	Test Time	5 seconds
	Memory	Last 500 tests with time and date 7-14-28 day average calculation
	Date & Time	yes
	Range	Below 1.1mmol/L - above 33.3mmol/L
	Batteries	Lithium 1 x CR2032
	Other Features & Benefits	Lifetime warranty. Temperature range: 15 - 35°C, Weight 64gms
	Software	Under development
SensoCard Plus	Strips (NDSS Code)	SensoCard Glucose Electrode strips (PC05)
	Sample Size	0.5 ul
	Test Time	5 seconds
	Memory	Last 500 tests with time and date 7-14-28 day average calculation
	Date & Time	yes
	Range	Below 1.1mmol/L - above 33.3mmol/L
	Batteries	Lithium 2 x CR2032
	Other Features & Benefits	"Talking" meter - contains voice module, good for visually impaired, lifetime warranty. Temperature range: 15 - 35°C, weight 96gms,
	Software	Under development
DiaCare 1800 451 737
TrueTrack	Strips (NDSS Code)	TrueTrack strip (DC37). Capillary action strip
	Sample Size	Blood glucose 1ul
	Test Time	10 seconds
	Memory	365
	Date & Time	Yes
	Range	1.1 - 33.3mmol/L
	Batteries	Non-rechargeable Lithium battery - Lasts approx. 1,100 tests or 1 year.
	Other Features & Benefits	Finger or forearm testing. Averages blood glucose levels at 14 & 30 days.
	Software	Under development, contact DiaCare for further information.
Glucoboy
Glucoboy	Strips (NDSS Code)	Glucoboy Glucose Electrode Strips (TT43). Capillary action strip.
	Sample Size	Glucose- 0.6uL
	Test Time	10 sec
	Memory	360
	Date & Time	Yes
	Range	1.1 – 29.2 mmol/L Converts to mg/dl
	Batteries	CR2032 3.0V lithium battery. Lasts approx 1500 tests
	Other Features & Benefits	Combines with Gameboy video technology
	Software	Has a data port – USB interface to upload results to a computer or access www.glucoboy.com