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Blood glucose test strips are made to be used with specific glucometers. This will help users to easily and quickly keep track of their blood glucose levels and choose the right strips for their glucometer.
The glucometer has always been made to work with a certain kind of test strip, and these strips are made to fit well with the machine and give exact results. It is critical to use the correct strips because using the wrong ones can lead to faulty readings. Most editors and companies advise working with the same strips that have been supported by previous glucometer manufacturers or distributors.
This proximity allows the test strips to interact with the meter and the resulting blood sample. Some of their key differences are in design and manufacturing. Some common types include the following.
Thin and flexible strips
Most glucometer strips are thin and flexible. This is so that they can be easily inserted into the glucometer for testing. Testing is easy because the strips are light and compact, making their application seamless for end users.
Durable and Strong Adhesion
The strips are made of plastic and steel, which makes them strong but bendable. The unique materials also help create a bond between the blood sample and the strip, ensuring accurate measurements for seamless operation. Furthermore, many strips are equipped with a strong adhesive that secures the blood on the test area to prevent waste during the testing process.
Hydrophilic Coating
Many blood glucose test strips have a hydrophilic coating on the top surface. This coating allows the blood to be drawn into the strip quickly. This helps to ensure that the blood is evenly distributed across the strip for more accurate and consistent results.
Multi-Layered
Some test strips have three or four visible layers. The top layer is the absorption layer of the blood. The second is a conductive layer that will help transfer glucose data. The last layer is the protectant layer that will help shield the previous electric layers from interference and give accurate results.
Medical Diagnostics
Blood glucose test strips are mainly applied in the glucose meter found in the medical diagnostics area. The hospital and clinical staff use these strips to constantly check the blood sugar levels of their patients, especially those in the intensive care unit. This helps them adjust the medication and diet as quickly as possible. The glucometer strips are made to be very accurate because any error in diabetics can have serious repercussions.
Home Health Care
Most strips for glucometers are used in homes by people with diabetes to learn how to manage their condition. With the help of a few drops of blood and glucose test kits, they will know whether to increase or decrease their medications and insulin. It has also become a popular health and wellness practice to keep track of blood glucose levels to avoid prediabetes. This convenience and accuracy support why glucose strips are a must-have in homes for healthy living.
Pharmaceutical Research and Development
Blood glucose test strips are mainly used in the pharmaceutical industry when developing new diabetes medications or treatments. It is important to have these strips during the clinical trials stage for the researchers to measure how effective the medicine being tested is in bringing the blood glucose level to its normal range. As a result, the availability and accuracy of test strips significantly impact the research and development process of antidiabetic drugs and therapies.
Veterinary Medicine
However, strips for glucometers are not only meant for humans; they are also used to test the blood glucose levels of various pets. Zoos, pet hospitals, and animal clinics all use these strips to measure the blood sugar of insulin-dependent diabetic dogs, cats, and other furry friends to keep his room service up and running. Because of the convenience of having these strips, they also ensure that pets receive the proper medication and care in the health of our four-legged friends.
Research on Metabolic Disorders
Beyond diabetes, glucose test strip kits are used in studies related to metabolic disorders. Glucose levels in the body have to be consistent for the body to be in a state of homeostasis. This makes glucose strips valuable in medical research to collect data on conditions that affect metabolism, such as obesity, hypoglycemia, and hormonal disorders. By helping in the testing of these conditions, glucometer strips contribute immensely to our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of several health problems.
Sample Size
The blood glucose test strips require a blood sample size of around 0.5 to 1 microliter for effective testing. Most of today's test strips will require less blood because they have improved their technology to be able to use less blood for testing.
Measurement Time
After placing the blood on the strip, most glucometers will show the results within five seconds. Some advanced models will take a bit longer, but they might also give a more accurate result because they perform more checks.
Strip Lifespan
After opening the bottle or box of glucometer test strips, the strips have to be used within three to six months. It is important to use the strips in the given time frame because their effectiveness decreases with time. This is also the reason why the strips will come with a seal of expiration that protects them from light and moisture when not in use.
Compatibility
Not all test strips are made to work with all glucometers. For example, OneTouch requires its glucometer to use Ultra and Verio test strips. The Accu-Chek Aviva Plus meter requires Accu-Chek Buytest strips. Therefore, it is important to check the compatibility of the strips with the glucometer.
Easy Application
The blood glucose test strips are easy to apply. Just touch the blood drop to the strip, and it will automatically suck the blood through the capillary action. This makes it very convenient for people using it at home or for professionals in tests because they do not need to worry about spreading blood on the strip.
Color-Coded
Blood glucose test strips are often color-coded to help in the identification of the strips that are most compatible with certain test meters. When putting the strips in the meter, there is no chance of making a mistake because the strips are typically coded with the same colors as the meters for seamless operation.
Ejectable Strips
The test meter for glucose will have strips that can be ejected after use so it can be cleaned easily. The user will also be comfortable with throwing away the strip after testing without touching the strip physically to remove it from the meter. This adds some convenience to their daily lives.
Automatic on/off
The glucose meter will start automatically when the strip is inserted, while the meter will turn off when the test is complete and the strip is removed. This helps to not waste battery power in the meter and makes it even easier for the customers to get their blood glucose levels.
Accuracy
If people use test strips with correct readings, they can manage blood sugar levels properly. This means that accuracy is vital for effective diabetes management. In the quest to find accurate test strips, people pay attention to the manufacturer's reputation for quality and check to see if they have received any certifications or awards for quality.
Material Quality
Blood blood glucose test strips are made of high-quality medical-grade materials such as plastics and special chemicals that are conductive. The materials used in making the test strips are very durable, easy to handle, and will give precise enzyme reactions when exposed to blood to measure glucose levels. This will eliminate the possibility of allergic reactions or infections.
Manufacturing Processes
Testing strip production is done in high sanitary conditions. In these sanitaries, contamination levels are reduced to zero in the strips produced. In gooving commercial blood glucose strips, pay attention to how and where they are made to ensure cleanliness and consistency in their performance. For example, if strips are produced in factories with very high quality, there is a possibility of producing better test strips for blood glucose.
Expiry Date
When using blood glucose test strips, users must check the expiration date of each package and set of strips to avoid using cut strips. The effectiveness of the test strips goes down over time due to environmental factors such as light, heat, and moisture, affecting the glucose results. Therefore, people must avoid using stripped blood glucose test strips beyond their expiry date to prevent potentially dangerous results.
Proper Storage
Proper glucometer strip storage is critical for maintaining their effectiveness for a long time. The strips must be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and under the right temperature and humidity levels. Close the strips container after taking out the strips to avoid moisture and air contamination. This protects them as well as ensures the right testing results.
Hygiene
For testing to be precise, testing must be sanitary. Wash and dry hands to avoid any form of contamination before handling strips and putting a blood sample on them. Put on disposable latex gloves to avoid contact with blood and reduce the chances of disease. Dispose of used strips correctly to avoid accidents with the sharp end of the strips and maintain proper hygiene while performing tests.
The test strips must be compatible with the given glucometer to select the one that is best suited. One must use the same strips that the meter manufacturer used or suggested for the meter because different meters have different test strip requirements in terms of blood volume and timing of results. The best way to choose is to look up the information on the manufacturer's website or the user's social media pages and posts for the most current information.
Currently, there are no universal test strips for all glucometers. Each strip is developed specifically for a given meter owing to differences in technology and design. There are third-party test strips manufacturers who develop strips for commonly used meters for greater convenience and use.
For the test strips to remain effective until the end of their shelf life, it is very important to handle them very carefully. As much as possible, avoid touching the test strip contact points to keep oils and moisture from contaminating those areas. Always return the strips to their original containers and make sure the containers are sealed tight to protect the strips from moisture and air.
The accuracy of the strips can be affected by several factors, such as exposure to light and improper handling of the strips, such as touching the area that will have the blood sample or not closing the container properly. Contamination and extreme temperatures can also affect accuracy to ensure that the environment in which the strips are kept is controlled and that only the strip's edge is touched.
