What to Look for with Blood Test Strips

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 with Blood Test Strips

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.

Related posts:

1. Blood Glucose Test Strips
2. The Right Way to Use Blood Sugar Test Strips
3. Using a Diabetes Strip to Test Your Blood Sugar