Diabetes Test Strips: What You Need to Know

Regular glucose monitoring is important in diabetes management, and glucometers are a simple and convenient way to do it. They use diabetes test strips, that detect glucose levels in the blood effectively.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes recently or are looking to help a friend, family member, or colleague, then here is a complete read-through. Read on as we discuss what are diabetes test strips, the types, how they work, how to use diabetes test strips, and much more.

What are Diabetes Test strips?

Glucose test strips, glucometer strips, or diabetes test strips are small, plastic, disposable attachments to a glucometer that detect on-the-spot blood glucose levels. First developed in 1965 for clinical use by doctors, they were called the haemoglucostrips, which used a drop of blood to initiate a color change to estimate blood glucose levels. 

Eventually, with the advent of electronic glucometers, users could get a digital readout of their blood glucose. The older strips often showed a range for blood glucose, whereas the newer ones can pinpoint the exact reading. Glucometer strips were later popularised for home use in the 1980s.

It’s worth noting that each glucometer brand usually has its own set of compatible glucose test strips. Another kind of strip used in diabetes management is a ketone test strip that uses urine instead of blood to check for ketone bodies in the body. However, our focus today is solely on glucometer test strips. 

How Do Diabetes Test Strips Work?

Let us help you understand how they work:

• Insert the strip into the slot of the glucometer device.
• Prick your fingertip with the lancet and draw out one drop of blood. Blood requirements for test strips vary by manufacturer but commonly range from 0.5 μl to 1 μl.
• Place the drop of blood at the edge of the strip.

What happens next is interesting!

• When you drop the blood on the strip, the strip has several chemical compounds and a tiny golden layer that detects the blood glucose level. 
• The numbers are then displayed on the glucometer.
• Unusual displays:

HI: Indicates a blood glucose level that is higher than the glucometer’s reading range, indicating an extremely high blood sugar level.

LO: Indicates a blood glucose level lower than the meter’s reading range, indicating a very low blood sugar level.

Error: The appearance of an error depicts a problem with the test strip or meter, such as faulty insertion or a damaged strip, which affects the accuracy of the reading.

Note: Remember to discard the diabetes test strip carefully once it has been used. It is important to understand that glucometer strips are not universal and are usually brand-specific. 

Benefits of Diabetes Test Strips

Glucometer strips are indispensable to diabetes management. Here are a few ways in which they can be useful:

• Allows regular blood glucose monitoring from the comforts of home; say no to lab blood tests.
• It prevents episodes of hypoglycemia due to their immediate readings and helps you monitor blood sugar variations accurately
• Guideline of diabetes management, regular readings help adjust insulin dosage or medications, meal plans, and workout schedules, which is crucial to effective blood sugar control.

Are Diabetes Test Strips Reliable?

It is vital to know how accurate are diabetes test strips. Here are a few test strip tips that ensure its accuracy:

• Store the strips free from humidity, dirt, moisture, and sunlight.
• Do not refrigerate the strips
• They are best stored in airtight vials at room temperature
• The fingers used for the prick should not be dirty or wet
• When alternating the sites for pricks, check with the glucometer guide if sites like the palm and forearm can be used.
• Draw sufficient blood; too little blood can give false readings. Remember not to squeeze your finger for the blood drop!
• Expired, damaged strips are to be avoided.

Essentially, diabetes test strips must match specific accuracy standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) according to the glucometer that they are made for.

A Guide to Selecting and Using Diabetes Test Strips

Here are a few tips for choosing the best test strips for your needs:

To begin with, where and how to get your test strips? Before purchasing, it’s best to research the popular glucose test strip brands, their costs, availability, and compatibility with the recommended glucometer.

Ensure to be brand-specific when refilling your stock of glucose test strips as per your glucometer manufacturer. Over-the-counter diabetes test strips are now available from pharmacies and online pharmaceutical platforms. 

Latest Advances Glucose Test Strips

The conventional diabetes test strips that are available are for a particular type of glucometer. 

The recent advanced strips include Glucose test strips with features like Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with smartphone apps for data tracking They automatically record the readings helping you in regular charting of blood glucose.

Fittertake

Whether you are looking to use diabetes test strips for the first time or want to explore other brands, make sure to work closely with your diabetes coach and research brands properly. Consider consulting our expert diabetologists and dieticians on Fitterfly’s Diabetes Care Programme to learn when and how to use glucose test strips correctly for accurate readings. 

You can speak with us by just giving us a missed call at 08069450746, and we will definitely get back to you. Together, let us make the journey towards healing from diabetes more healthy and enjoyable.