Are you newly diagnosed with diabetes? Here is a list of essential diabetes supplies, what they are, and where you can purchase them.
Testing Supplies:
Glucose meter:
What is it?
Also known as a glucometer, this small batter-operated device is used to test your blood sugars (which you are going to need to know). Be sure to ask a healthcare provider to show you how to use it and how often to test.
Where can I get it?
You may be able to get one directly from a diabetes clinic, doctor, or nurse. However, you can also pick one up (usually at no cost) from your local pharmacy. There are a variety of meters available, so it is best to ask for a recommendation from a healthcare provider.
Test strips:
What is it?
These are used with your glucose meter when you test your blood sugars. Make sure you get the strips that are compatible with your glucose meter!
Where can I get it?
You can purchase test strips over-the-counter from your pharmacy, but they are expensive. Your healthcare provider can write you a prescription for test strips so they can be potentially covered by your insurance.
Lancets:
What is it?
These are the needles used to prick yourself for the small blood sample you test with your glucose meter.
Where can I get it?
You can purchase these over-the-counter from your pharmacy. Your healthcare provider can write you a prescription for test strips so they can be potentially covered by your insurance.
Sharps container:
What is it?
A sharps container is a sturdy, non-see-through plastic container to store your used needles and lancets. For safety reasons, it is important to throw away/store these sharp objects here.
Where can I get it?
You may receive one from a diabetes clinic, doctor, or nurse, but you can also pick one up (for free) at any pharmacy. Be sure to return your old sharps container to the pharmacy when it is ¾ full.
Urine ketone strips:
What is it?
These test strips are used to test ketones in your urine. Discuss with your doctor how often you should be using these to test urine ketones.
Where can I get it?
You can purchase urine ketone test strips over-the-counter from your local pharmacy.
Home blood pressure monitor:
What is it?
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend buying a machine to monitor your blood pressure at home.
Where can I get it?
These can be purchased at your local pharmacy.
Medications:
Medication (if prescribed):
What is it?
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to help control your blood sugar. It is important to stay on top of your medications and to take all medications as directed.
Where can I get it?
Find a pharmacy that is convenient for you, and a pharmacist you trust, because you are about to become a regular customer. Some pharmacies have Certified Diabetes Educators who have extra training in diabetes care.
Insulin (if prescribed):
What is it?
Your healthcare provider may prescribe insulin to help control your blood sugars.
Where can I get it?
Insulin is also purchased from a pharmacy along with your other diabetes medications.
Supplies for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar):
Glucose tablets or another form of 15 g carbohydrate (if prescribed insulin or a sulfonylurea):
What is it?
These are used to treat hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Talk to your healthcare provider about signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to properly treat it.
Where can I get it?
You can purchase glucose tablets over-the-counter from a pharmacy. They come in many different flavours, and bottle sizes.
Extra snacks:
What is it?
Especially if you are on insulin, or a sulfonylurea, it will be important to bring carry extra snacks with you, to prevent hypoglycemia when your blood sugars start to drop.
Where can I get it?
Speak with your healthcare team/diabetes dietitian to discuss what types of snacks are best to keep handy.
Other:
Journal/blood sugar log book (if not recorded and downloaded from your blood glucose meter):
What is it?
Especially when you are learning how to monitor your blood sugars, a journal can help to keep a log of your blood sugars, as well as what you are eating and what physical activity you do.
Where can I get it?
You can use a generic journal, or pick up a diabetes log book from your pharmacy or diabetes clinic, or refer to the electronic log in your blood glucose meter.
Medication list:
What is it?
It is important to keep a list of all your medications with you, for doctor or pharmacy purposes, as well as for emergency situations.
Where can I get it?
You can create your own list, or ask your pharmacist to print out a list of all of your medications.
Second set of supplies:
What is it?
It is a good idea to have an extra set of your diabetes supplies (such as blood sugar testing equipment, insulin, etc).
Where can I get it?
You can pick up an extra set of supplies from your pharmacy.
Diabetes supplies travel case:
What is it?
You are going to want a single place to keep all of your diabetes supplies to take with you when you head out the door and one that protects against extreme changes in temperature.
Where can I get it?
You may consider buying a pouch specifically designed for diabetes supplies, or could find a travel case/pouch that works best for you.
Medical identification (ID bracelet, wallet certificate):
What is it?
For emergency situations, it is a good idea to have some sort of medical identification stating that you have diabetes, and/or are on insulin.
Where can I get it?
Check out your local pharmacy, or online to get a form of medical identification that best suits you!
