Blood glucose tester strips, or blood sugar test strips, are part of most diabetics' day-to-day medical supplies. They let users read their blood sugars on accompanying meters, allowing them to gauge their glucose levels and take insulin accordingly.

Different blood test strips are compatible with different blood meters, but most act according to the same basic principles. Each blood sugar test strip is coated with a chemical that reacts to glucose, like glucose oxide. Adding a drop of blood to the test strip actives the chemical, and triggers a measureable reaction. The blood glucose meter then evaluates the strength of this reaction, and uses that information to determine your blood glucose level.

Some older blood glucose test strips work visually, with the strips changing color depending on how high or low your blood sugar is. The strip is then compared to a color chart, which tells you what glucose level is. However, this is unusual nowadays and almost all blood test strips work exclusively with meters.

Getting the Most Out of Blood Sugar Test Strips

It's important to take good care of your blood glucose test strips if you want the most reliable blood sugar readings possible. Damaged blood test strips can disturb the accuracy of blood meters or fail to work altogether. In order to avoid finding yourself in this situation, follow these simple tips for getting the most out of strips:

• Check Strips Before Use: Always check your strips before you use them. If your strip is damaged or expired, it won't work properly and you're better off throwing it out. Also take the time to make sure your monitor is in good working order, so that you don't accidently waste a strip by trying to use a meter that isn't ready.

• Avoid Touching Strips: When you place your blood sugar test strips in the glucose meter, avoid touching either end. Also be careful when applying blood to the strip, doing your best to avoid letting your skin touch it. Contact with anything but blood can disturb the chemicals on the strip and lead to inaccurate readings. Carefully washing and drying your hands before handling blood test strips is another great way to avoid problems.

• Store Strips Properly: Improper storage can damage blood glucose test strips beyond repair. As a rule of thumb, don't put your test strips anywhere you wouldn't want to be. If it's humid, freezing, or very hot move your strips to a safer location.

• Check the Code: Some test strips are automatically coded, while others need to have their code entered into the blood glucose meter before use. Make sure everything is coded properly before you get started to avoid errors.

• Use Strips Only Once: Blood glucose strips can only be used once, and attempts to recycle will result in bad readings. In addition, only apply one drop of blood to each strip. If you apply your blood incorrectly to a test strip, throw it away and try again with a new one.

Where to Find Blood Glucose Test Strips

If you're a diabetic that monitors your blood sugar, you'll need a regular supply of blood glucose test strips. Most blood test strips can be purchased at pharmacies or through online diabetic supply retailers. If you are using Medicare, you may even be able to receive blood sugar test strips for free. For more information, contact your physician or a reputable diabetic supply provider.