Diabetes Test Strips From Trusted Brands
Blood glucose monitors are integral to a proper diabetes self-care regimen, with diabetes strips being a recurring cost to check blood glucose levels regularly. The issue? Glucose strips can add up over time and with regular use. At ADW Diabetes, we offer a wide range of singles and discounted multi-packs of diabetes test strips from top brands, like True Metrix, Accu-Check, Aviva Plus, and One Touch. We know that testing strips are vital, and we believe that they shouldn't prevent you from being able to afford other aspects of your diabetes self-care.
Glucose strips are tiny, thin, plastic strips that are placed into a blood glucose meter which then gives you your current blood sugar value. Although diabetes test strips have been around for a while, the technology has changed over the last few years, allowing it to be much easier and more accurate than ever before. Even though there are multiple brands of meters that use matching, specific brand strips, they all work similarly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do glucose strips work?
Glucose strips hold a high priority in the management of diabetes since they are a key component in blood glucose testing. Since the 1990s, an enzyme called glucose oxidase transforms the blood glucose on the strip into an electrical current. The meter then reads the current as a glucose concentration which appears as a number on your meter screen. Glucose strips can be +/- 20% of your actual glucose number. All meters are strip specific so extra strips should be ordered when the meter is purchased. Test strips are usually available in bottles of 50 or 100 strips per container. The container should be kept closed until the test strip is needed, since strips can be affected by heat, humidity and artificial light.
Four Tips on How to Use Glucose Strips
-
Before handling the strip to insert into the meter, hands should be washed with soap and warm water to avoid inaccurate results. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol gel-based product or an alcohol swab instead. Dry hands and fingers completely. Remember that alcohol can dry out your skin and you may already have dry skin from diabetes. Touching vitamins, jam, cereal, fruit, hand lotion and other products may change blood sugar results. Dry your hands and fingers carefully to make sure that the blood sample is not diluted.
-
Always check the expiration date on the box of diabetes test strips and make sure to open the box with the earliest expiration date first. Using diabetes testing strips out of date will not ensure quality and accurate numbers. Once opened most strips are fresh somewhere between 3-6 months, but check with the specific manufacturer and read the insert that comes with your box of strips for best results.
-
Place a new lancet into your lancet device each time you test. Reused lancets get dull after their first use since they are extremely thin and lose their coating, which could cause more pain and may cause you to get an inadequate drop of blood. Once the lancet is completely in place, make sure the lancet device is set at a depth that works best for you.
-
Make sure the new strip is inserted into the opening in the meter before pricking your finger. Use the sides of your finger and change fingers often to prevent infections or callouses. This area will give the most accurate results. Within 5-10 seconds, you will see a number on the screen of your glucose meter indicating your current blood sugar. Make sure to document your number on a spread sheet or log book to share your results with your physician.
When should you check glucose levels?
Knowing when to test blood sugars will prevent you from wasting diabetes test strips and help save you money. It will also prevent you from needless finger sticks. Always check with your diabetes management team to determine how many times a day and what specific times to test your blood glucose. Often blood glucose should be tested before a meal and 2 hours after a meal to see how the specific food impacted your blood sugar results. Blood sugars can also be tested fasting in the morning and then prior to bed. You may need to test more frequently at different times depending on your personal situation. Blood glucose testing is one important tool to help guide your diabetes self-management plan. It also helps your physician make changes in your medical management along with your current A1C value.
Things That May Go Wrong When Testing:
-
The diabetest test strip needs to be fully inserted prior to placing the drop of blood on the strip.
-
Placing too little blood can cause a screen to read "error" or give a lower number than your actual number.
-
Placing too much blood on the strip may also result in "error" on the screen and wasting an additional strip.
-
Having a battery that goes dead during the glucose test. Batteries last up to 2 years and can easily be replaced. The meter usually indicates when the battery power is low.
-
Removing glucose strips from the original container and placing them in your pocket, wallet or meter case for convenience, this will make the strips inaccurate.
-
Avoid strips encountering dirt, water, crumbs, soap, lotion, food or vitamins.
-
Trying to reuse a test strip you will get inaccurate results since there is only enough enzyme for one test.
Are diabetes test strips sold over the counter?
Yes! Diabetes test strips are sold over the counter if you are paying for them out of pocket.
How much do diabetes test strips cost?
Diabetes test strips can be costly no matter the frequency in which you check your blood sugar. On average, test strips can cost anywhere from $9 per 50 test strips up to almost $100 per 50 test strips. This variation largely depends on brand name. TrueMetrix offers some of the most affordable diabetic test strips, as well as Embrace Talk, Nova Max, and Advocate Redi Code.
How long do diabetes test strips last?
If your glucose strips are unopened, they are good until the expiration date printed on the bottle label. Depending on the brand, once the container is opened, the strips are good for 3-6 months, or by the expiration date on the label - whichever comes first. Store all strips in the original container, away from heat, light, and humidity. The container top should be firmly closed after each strip is removed, for best results. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for usage and never use expired test strips.
Access Low-Cost Diabetes Supplies
From diabetes test strips to foot care, ADW Diabetes is your go-to source for all things diabetes management. Here, you can take advantage of our easy and secure shopping experience and superior customer service, free shipping for orders $89+, and even our Diabetic Coverage® AutoShip program to save an extra 5% on your favorite test strips and get them delivered to your door on a regular schedule. Try out our diabetes app for easy shopping!