When Do Test Strips Expired Can It Read High or Low

Checking your claret glucose monitoring system to make sure it is working properly tin be done hands at home with glucose control solution. Control solution can also exist handy to practice using your meter without needing to do a finger stick.

Testing using control solution is a similar process to testing a blood sample. However, the properties of the fluids are unlike, and the test results are used for separate purposes. Control solution for a glucometer has a known corporeality of glucose set by the manufacturer, whereas the concentration of glucose within homo blood can fluctuate, even when measuring the aforementioned drib of claret. Therefore, a control solution test can exist used to check if your meter and examination strips are reading claret sugar levels properly by providing the expected result.

Read on for data on how to get started using control solution:

  • What is control solution for a glucose meter?
  • How frequently is a glucose command solution test needed?
  • How to use control solution
  • Where to buy command solution for a glucose meter

What is command solution for a glucose meter?

Glucose control solution is a liquid made upward of water, glucose, buffers, and microbicides. These ingredients are vital to creating a solution with the following backdrop:

  • Has a concentration of glucose that tin be used to test the functionality of your meter and test strips.
  • Has a pH level that is shut to the physiological value of human being blood.
  • Prevents the growth of micro bacteria that would otherwise change the glucose concentration.

Your claret glucose monitoring system can detect the amount of glucose nowadays in control solution in a like style to how it detects the amount of glucose present in blood. A glucose control solution reading on your meter appears as a numerical value. This value should fall within the target range printed on the test strip vial, which is based on the concentration of glucose in the control solution.

Manufacturers frequently have a few options of control solution that are compatible with each make of test strips. The different options, or "levels" — Level ane, Level ii, or Level 4 for example — have glucose ranges that are different from one another, typically respective with low, normal, or high glucose concentrations. Your test strip vial should testify the target range for each dissimilar level of command solution. Be sure to identify the right range that corresponds to the type of control solution you take.

Glucose control solution can exist used to consummate a quality check on your claret glucose monitoring system. Information technology can help you lot determine if your meter and examination strips are performing properly.

How often is a glucose control solution test recommended?

Control solution tests may demand to be performed numerous times throughout the lifetime of a meter for a multifariousness of reasons.

A control solution test is recommended when:

  • You doubtable that your meter or test strips are non working properly.
  • You doubtable your examination results are unexpectedly too high or low, or do not lucifer how y'all're feeling.
  • Your test strip vial is damaged or was non capped tightly.
  • Yous take dropped or damaged your meter or exposed your meter to liquids.
  • Your meter or test strips accept been exposed to extreme ecology conditions, like humidity, temperature, or sunlight.
  • You lot are brash by a healthcare professional to do so.

Regardless of the reason for a glucose control solution test, the purpose is always the same: to determine whether your meter and exam strips are performing as expected past the manufacturer. Nonetheless, this does not indicate how accurate your glucose meter is.

How to check the accuracy of a glucose meter

While it is tempting to use the results of a command solution test to find out if your meter is reading high or low and past how much, the backdrop that make blood and control solution unlike forestall this from being a reliable way to check the accuracy of a glucose meter. Instead, it gives you an indication as to whether your meter and test strips are working properly. One time a control solution test confirms that your monitoring system is functioning correctly, other causes for suspicious readings tin can be considered.

The accuracy of blood glucose meter readings tin can be affected by many factors unrelated to the meter's functionality, such as environmental conditions, altitude, testing practices, and damaged or expired test strips. Something equally simple as testing with unwashed easily or from an insufficient blood drib can throw off your entire examination. Therefore, identifying and controlling any interfering factors can be a simple step to improving the accuracy of your results.

If you are even so wondering how to check the accurateness of a glucose meter, the Diabetes Technology Society completed a study that evaluated the accurateness operation of pop meters on the market. It is of import to remember that this study evaluated meters using a controlled method and that comparing test results from 2 different meters is not recommended due to the variances in meter technology from i brand to another. As well, factors like the ones mentioned above can influence accuracy to yield different results from one exam to the next.

How to use control solution

How to perform a control solution test

Glucose control solution tests are performed the same way as claret glucose tests. These tests are not a method for calibrating your meter, but rather a useful tool to check the operation of your meter and exam strips. You can also utilize control solution to do testing with your blood glucose monitoring system earlier testing a blood sample.

Here are the steps to guide you through the process:

  • Step one: Insert a new test strip into your meter and check that the meter is ready to perform a examination.
  • Stride 2: Shake the control solution bottle vigorously.
  • Step three: Discard the showtime drib and wipe off the bottle tip so that it is clean.
  • Step 4: Dispense a second drop onto a hard, clean surface, so bring the test strip to the drop. Hold the examination strip up to the sample until enough command solution has been applied to the test strip.
  • Step five: Check the meter every bit it calculates and displays the test effect. Compare the examination issue to the appropriate command solution range printed on the test strip vial.
  • Footstep 6: Dispose of any used test strips and shop the control solution canteen with your testing supplies.

How will I know if the control solution test passed?

One time you accept the result from the glucose control solution test, the next footstep is to compare the number shown on your meter to the range specified by the manufacturer, printed on the examination strip vial. The number shown on the meter should fall inside the range. It is of import to remember that results from control solution tests are unrelated to blood glucose levels and do not reverberate your body'south blood glucose concentration.

A range for control solution results — rather than a single number — is provided considering no two tests will be exactly the same. Manufacturers anticipate the possible variations from test to test and therefore provide an expected range.

If you find that a control solution result does non fall within the range printed on the examination strip vial, you should contact the manufacturer of your meter to decide if additional troubleshooting or replacement supplies are needed.

How long does command solution last?

Near command solution for glucose meters lasts 90 days from the date that the bottle is first opened. Yet, some manufacturers make their command solution to last longer. It is always best to use control solution earlier the expiration date on the box, and to discard the bottle afterwards it has been opened for the time period specified by the manufacturer.

Later on each employ, be sure to re-cap the control solution bottle, forming a tight seal. Temperature and humidity can affect the command solution and potentially modify the result of a control solution test. Therefore, cheque the storage conditions on the bottle to make up one's mind the all-time place to shop it.

Where to buy control solution for a glucose meter

Typically, control solution for a glucometer is available from the manufacturer of your meter and examination strips, and most private insurance companies or Medicare volition cover the cost.

Check the manufacturer'southward website for details on where to buy control solution. You can as well check with your local pharmacy to meet if they have available stock of the control solution that is uniform with your glucose meter. If none is in stock, you can request it to be ordered through your chemist's.

Can whatsoever kind of glucose control solution be used?

Command solution for glucose meters is fabricated specific to each brand and type of test strip; there is no universal or generic brand. If you are unsure which control solution is designated to piece of work with your glucose monitoring system, check the instructions that came with your meter or examination strips or expect on the manufacturer'due south website.

Checking your blood glucose monitoring system using command solution is important anytime you or your medico believes there could be harm to your meter or test strips, or concerns about the performance of your system. While a control solution test cannot provide insights into the accuracy of your meter, it is a helpful method to determine if your system is working properly. This examination can be washed in a few simple steps, at home. So, the next time you stock up on diabetes testing supplies, or notice that your command solution is expired,  consider adding a box of control solution to your adjacent order.

Acquire How to Check Your Meter & Test Strips with This Guide

Using command solution, you can hands check that your blood glucose meter and test strips are working properly. Get the details in this guide.

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Source: https://agamatrix.com/blog/glucose-control-solution/

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