Condition: Diabetes

Purpose: To monitor blood sugar levels

Format: SA

Availability: OTC, physician recommendation

Comments: Home testing for diabetes has advanced from urine testing to whole blood testing. Less invasive or painful procedures, such as alternate site testing meters and those that use infrared technology to "read" blood sugar through the skin, are becoming more common. In 2001, the FDA approved a watch-like device for testing blood sugar.

KEY:
SA=stand-alone test, results available to consumer in the home
OTC=over-the-counter, no prescription needed.
N/A= not applicable