From David Brown
In a short article, you report that a home urine test could give diabetics an
accurate analysis of their glucose levels
(This Week, 12 December 1998, p 19).
However, for many years urine sugar measurements have been superseded by
blood glucose measurement for home monitoring of diabetic patients. This gives a
much better indication of patients’ status “now”, as opposed to what it was up
to four hours ago as revealed by a urine test.
Blood glucose devices for the home can, with proper training, give results
almost as accurate as hospital-based machines. These sensors cost a mere
£30.45 and give a result seconds after blood is applied.
Blood tests are indeed better for people with severe diabetes who need
up-to-the-minute information on their glucose levels. The sensor described is
intended for mild diabetics who prefer urine tests to the discomfort of taking a
blood sample—Ed
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davidgb@pathology.leeds.ac.uk
