Four Things You Need to Know About Diabetes Test Strips
Blood glucose meters or test strips are tiny digital gadgets used to measure and indicate blood glucose levels. Since these test strips are accessible for home use, those with unused and unopened ones can resell them. For instance, if I own unexpired, unopened, and unutilized test strips, platforms, make it easy to sell my test strips.
The device comes in handy for individuals with diabetes. Tracking your blood glucose levels helps gather useful data that your doctor uses to help treat your illness. The information collected includes the effects of exercise, food, medication, and other aspects that may impact your blood glucose. Learning about managing your health can be time-consuming and stressful. However, with some handy facts, the task can be less of a hassle.
There’s Tech in the Strips
Are you aware of what takes place in these blood glucose meters? The tech supporting the test strips has drastically changed since they became available to the public for home use in the ’80s. Currently, the devices utilize enzymes to convert blood sugar into a current of electro-chemicals. Measurements from the current are then used to deduce results, showing glucose concentration in the blood.
Keep Things Clean
When you want to use a test strip, keep your hands clean or sterilized the finger you desire to use. The device can easily detect residue on your skin which may tamper with the results. Also, avoid wetting your test strip with water or alcohol because it will affect the accuracy of the outcomes. When pricking your finger, wipe off the initial drop of blood and put the second drop on your glucose meter. Many healthcare professionals recommend this method claiming the second drop will have no contamination.
Use Your Finger for Best Results
Pricking your fingertip will slightly hurt, but it offers an accurate sample than getting blood from your arm or palm. Also, avoid squeezing the blood out. Squeezing can result in the introduction of other body fluids, which will affect the results. To get a good flow of blood from your fingertip, clean your hands with warm water.
Expiration
Always maintain the test strips in their original packaging until you want to utilize them. Leaving the pieces exposed can easily make them useless because of humidity. Storing the devices in extreme temperatures will also affect the accuracy of the results. The testing gadgets can last for twelve months or more. Nonetheless, check the expiration date when purchasing online or from a physical outlet.