Collection: Diabetic Test Strips
Diabetic test strips and compatible glucose meters are the most popular way individuals living with diabetes test their blood sugar on a daily basis. While some people, particularly those with Type 1 diabetes and those who have difficulty controlling their blood sugar, have moved to a doctor-prescribed continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, test strips remain the go-to blood sugar testing method for the majority of diabetics.
What You’ll Need Beyond Test Strips
– Glucose meter used to read blood sugar measurements
– Lancet, a sharp and sanitary device used to prick the finger, resulting in a blood sample.
– Lancing device which quickly deploys the lancet to safely prick the finger.
The Proper Blood Sugar Testing Process
- Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap. Dry completely using a clean towel.
- Insert a fresh lancet into the lancing device
- Insert a compatible test strip into the glucose meter
- Using the lancing device, quickly press down and prick the finger. It is usually recommended to prick towards either side of the fingertip to avoid irritation after testing.
- Allow a small drop of blood to form on the fingertip and apply it to the test strip (which is already inserted into the glucose meter)
- Your glucose meter should display your blood glucose level on a digital display.
- Dispose of the used test strip and lancet in an approved “sharps container” and dispose of sharps following local heath and waste collection guidelines in your area.