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Diabetes Supplies and Medicare Coverage
Diabetic Testing Supplies
Diabetes Supplies and Medicare Coverage

Blood Test Strips

The First Step In Diabetes Management


The blood glucose strip test, used to regularly monitor your blood-sugar level, is at the core of managing your diabetes. Specially designed blood test strips change color as they react with the glucose, or blood sugar, in a drop of whole blood. A meter then measures the color and displays your glucose results.

What to Look for

Finding the right diabetes blood test strip — and learning to use it properly — is an
important step in managing your diabetes. Look for a blood test strip that:
  • Requires a small blood sample — Many of today’s strips and meters require tiny samples that can make testing less painful. Some allow testing from alternative sites, such as your palm, forearm, upper arm, thigh or calf.
  • Provides capillary action — You just hold your finger to the edge of the blood test strip and the strip does the rest — blood is automatically drawn into the test window.
  • Is easy to handle — Look for a compact, easy-to-open vial, and a shape and size that’s easy to use.
Aim for Good Results

When performing the glucose strip test, keep these tips in mind:
  • NEVER transfer blood test strips from one vial to another; store test strips only in their original vial.
  • Apply one drop of fresh capillary whole blood lanced from a clean, dry finger to the testspot of the blood test strip. Do not allow your finger to touch the test spot.
  • If the entire color spot area does not show full color development (not enough blood) orappears “wet” (too much blood), discard the strip and repeat the glucose strip test with a new one.
To ensure the accuracy of your blood glucose strip test, consider the following:

Watch for altitude, temperature and humidity. Altitude, room temperature and humidity can cause unpredictable glucose strip test results. Check the meter and the test strip package insert for information on these issues. Always store and handle the meter and test strips according to the instructions.

Watch third-party test strips.
Third-party or generic “glucose reagent strips” are test strips developed as a less expensive option than the strips that the manufacturer intended the meter to be used with. Differences can involve the amount, type or concentration of the chemicals (called "reagents") on the test strip, or the actual size and shape of the blood test strip itself. Meters are very sensitive to these features. For an accurate blood glucose strip test, be sure the test strip you use is compatible with your glucose meter.

Watch for manufacturing changes. Sometimes manufacturers change their meters and their blood test strip. These changes are not always communicated to the third-party strip manufacturers. This can make third-party strips incompatible with your meter without your knowledge. If you are unsure whether or not a certain test strip will work with your meter, contact the manufacturer of your glucose meter.

Bring your meter to the doctor's office. This is a great way to make sure you are performing your blood glucose strip test correctly. You can test your glucose while your health care provider watches your technique. Your healthcare provider will also take a sample of blood and evaluate it using a routine laboratory method to see if they match values obtained on your test.

Diabetic Seniors Team

Related Articles

Blood Sugar Testing Supplies - From simple to elaborate, basic to buff, the diabetic's most useful tools are those used for monitoring their blood glucose. These blood sugar testing supplies can range from standard finger stick lancets to high tech computerized blood sugar management systems. However, regardless of what you select, the most important thing is that you learn to utilize it correctly and that you take good care of the assorted blood sugar testing supplies. As a newly diagnosed diabetic, you are likely overwhelmed with the many changes taking place, and learning how to use your blood glucose testing supplies may seem a bit daunting. Nevertheless, don't hit the panic button; your diabetes health care providers are there to help you to learn all you need to know about purchasing, using and maintaining all of your blood glucose testing supplies.

Glucose Test Meter - As a diabetic, keeping up with your blood glucose levels is vital to your routine, and to do that, you need a reliable glucose testing meter. As the blood glucose test meter is an integral part of managing your diabetes, you want one that is easy to use and accurate, but what other features should you look for in selecting your glucose testing meter?

Turn to Liberty Diabetic Supplies For All your Needs - Liberty is a leading provider of medical products and services, including testing supplies and other diabetes management products.In fact, you may have seen their ads featuring actor Wilford Brimley asking that now-famous question, "Do you have diabetes. Are you on Medicare?" Over the past 18 years, more than a million people have relied on Liberty for diabetes supplies. With Liberty, diabetes supplies are delivered directly to your home, making it easier to follow your physicians' orders and ensuring you have the supplies you need, when you need them.

Accu-Chek Testing Supplies - Why is regular glucose testing so important? Using a diabetes meter, such as an Accu-Chek glucose meter, can help control your blood sugar level. And the right meter makes testing simple, so you'll be more likely to test regularly throughout the day. Accu-Chek makes a variety of meters to fit your needs and your diabetic lifestyle.

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