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Archive for August, 2012

Menarini Diagnostics – Glucomen BG Meters.

Posted in Diabetes, Insulin Pumps, tagged Abbott, Advanced Therapeutics, Animas, Cellnovo, Diabetes, Glooko, Glucomen, iBGStar, Input, insulin, Medtronic, Menarini, my pump, Omnipod, Roche, Sanofi on August 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Hi,

I just wanted to share some info regarding blood glucose meters and a superb company called Menarini Diagnostics who have a range of blood glucose meters called GlucoMen (LX PLUS and GM) which I have been using for a while now and found them easy to use, the customer support team have also been very helpful.

Here is a little bit of company info about Menarini:

Menarini Diagnostics was established in the UK during 1987. The company is now established as one of the fastest growing diagnostics companies in the UK with annual growth in excess of 20%. To date Menarini has already placed more than 700 analysers of various types in the UK market. MDUK are market leaders in the field of diabetes diagnostics, with leading edge systems for HbA1c, blood glucose and continuous glucose monitoring.

Nearly 60% of all HbA1cs in the UK are performed on our lab systems. That’s more than 1 million people relying on MDUK HbA1c systems every year. Over 1 million self tests are performed on GlucoMen blood glucose meters every day across Europe.

MDUK’s goal is to work closely with all Diabetes Specialist Nurses and patients, and continue to do the right things to support the growing number of people who choose to rely on the
GlucoMen LX systems to help manage their diabetes at home.

I have been using the Glucomen LX PLUS for a while now and when I first received the meter it was in a lovely gold box so also a little bit of bling (ha ha), anyway sorry back to my thoughts…..

MDUK’s GlucoMen LX PLUS is a blood glucose meter that incorporates a 2-in-1 blood glucose and ketone testing facility.

The ketone testing is particularly useful for insulin users and those who may wish to test their blood ketone levels.

GlucoMen LX PLUS meter advantages

The GlucoMen LX PLUS is a no coding meter that provides:
** Pain free with a unique lancet introducing comfort zone technology
** Blood test results in 4 seconds
** Coloured covers to personalize your device – hmmm funky.
** 0.3 microlitre sample for easy and comfortable testing
** Meal markers for controlling your diabetes
** The device has a rubber grip, which makes it easy to use and prevents it sliding off surfaces.

Alternative site testing is available for blood glucose tests however ketone testing should be done on the fingers alone.

The GlucoJect Dual S lancing device that comes with the meter has Comfort Zone technology designed to reduce pain when testing, this is one the best lancing devices I have tried.

A number of different coloured skins (10) are available for use with the meter.

More information on GlucoMen LX PLUS along with diabetes education and videos can be found on the company website www.glucomen.co.uk. They also have a facebook page with latest news and updates.

At the end of the day it’s down to your personal choice but this is certainly a meter that is worth trying.

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Driving and diabetes: changes you must be aware of!

Posted in Diabetes, Insulin Pumps, tagged Bayer, Bayer Contour, Diabetes, Glucose, Hba1c, Hypo, insulin on August 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Please find below a very useful informative mail shot I received from the team at Bayer Diabetes Care

Having problems reading this email? Click here to view this newsletter online

We are writing to remind you of changes in standards introduced by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which mean that people with Type 1 diabetes can now be considered for a licence to drive lorries and buses.

The DVLA has removed the ban for people on insulin driving these kinds of (Group 2) vehicles, providing they undergo an individual medical assessment to prove they are fit to drive vehicles in this category.

In Northern Ireland the same change is likely to happen this year.

It’s a welcome change, but it does mean that you need to be well prepared before you can get going.

People wishing to drive larger vehicles will need to demonstrate:
That they have not had a severe hypoglycaemic event in the last 12 months
That they have full hypoglycaemic awareness
That they have an understanding of hypoglycaemia
That they have control of their diabetes by regular blood glucose monitoring at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving
That they have a fast acting carbohydrate in the vehicle at all times when driving

You will need to have used a blood glucose meter with a memory function to measure and record your blood glucose for at least three months prior to submitting your application.

Equally, there have also been recent changes which affect assessment criteria for people applying for a licence to drive cars and motorbikes.

All the details, including the D2 application form, can be found on the Department for Transport’s DVLA web pages. www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical

It sounds quite onerous, but in fact providing you are well organised it doesn’t mean you need to feel restricted or be limited in what you can do. The key is to make the most of all the tools you have at your disposal, and be totally consistent and regular in your testing and monitoring routine.

So how can we help?
Using Bayer’s CONTOUR® USB meter will enable you to test, monitor and upload all the regular reports you will need to demonstrate your fitness to drive.
Use your CONTOUR USB meter with our GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE diabetes management software to analyse your reports, modify your routine and better manage your diabetes. Doing this routinely should help you understand what affects your blood glucose and so help you avoid hypoglycaemic episodes – and of course the records you keep will be able to demonstrate this.
Your CONTOUR USB has the memory function you need, and you will easily be able to store and download your last three-month results using our software.
Remember too that using our new My Reports feature on our website, you will be able to check your results and look at your reports any time, anywhere, from your smart phone or tablet.

All the information on the new standards are on the DVLA’s website, and if you would like more help on how to make the most of your glucose meter and monitoring equipment, just log onto www.bayerdiabetes.co.uk.

You will also find useful information on driving and diabetes at www.diabetes.org.uk. Remember to contact your diabetes healthcare professional if you have any questions about your diabetes management.

Please do check the bayerdiabetes.co.uk website, and if you would like to ask any specific questions regarding our diabetes products, please get in touch with us!

Ros Barker
Bayer HealthCare