Testing your blood is vital for good control. Not all lancets and lancing devices are created equal. Some are smaller, which means they hurt less for small children but might not provide an adequate drop for older kids. Some lancing devices are easier to use than others. Here's a list of reviewed products:

Lancets		Lancing Devices
BDTM ULTRA-FINETM II BD GenieTM Soft Touch® ComforTouch Gentle-let 1 Softclix® Tenderlett® Unilet and Unilet GP Unilet Superlite Unistik® 2		ACCU-CHEK Multiclix The best lancing device available today auto-Lancet Adjustable and Mini (Also known as the Soft Touch adjustable) auto-Lancet (non-adjustable) (Also known as the Soft Touch) BD Lancet Device Penlet® Plus (also called the ONE TOUCH UltraSoft) Softclix® Glucolet Microlet Personal Lasette Laser Lancing Device Penlet II Soft Touch II Vaculance

Lancets are where the metal meets the finger (or alternative site for most new meters). Many manufacturers say that their lancet is the "most comfortable." That really means "hurts less." Lancets are not much good without a lancing device to hold the lancet. The reviews evaluate each lancet and lancing device in the following areas:

• Comfort. Basically, how much does it hurt. Scores range from one (OUCH!) to ten (Whew!). Comfort is more than simply having a small diameter shaft. The quality of the grinding of the lancet makes a big difference, as does the quality and adjustability of the lancing device.

• Ease of Use. We all want our kids to do their own testing. Some products are easier for little hands to use than others. This mostly applies to the lancing devices, but some lancets are more troublesome than others. Scores range from one (Daddy, help!) to 10 (I can do it myself!).

• Safety. When you're done with the stick, you've got to dispose of the lancet. Some have nifty caps to cover the point; others are still getting there. Some are completely self-contained and require no recapping. When applied to lancing devices, factors examined include the ability to recock with exposing the lancet. Scores range from one (keep away from kids) to ten (excellent).

• Overall Rating. Add up the scores. 30 is perfect.

See Also

• Photo of Recommended Lancing Devices Side by Side
• Photo of Recommended Lancets Side by Side

The reviews of products are the opinion of children with DIABETES. Each product is reviewed with a single purpose: to determine if the product is suitable for use by children with type 1 diabetes, their parents, and, to a lesser degree, adults with type 1 diabetes. There are many products aimed at adults with type 2 diabetes that are not appropriate or suitable for children or adults with type 1 diabetes.

Last Updated: Thu Sep 29 19:43:54 2005
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