Diabetes Test Strips

Diabetes test strips are used with a blood sugar level meter to help measure the level of sugar in the blood stream. Test strips are designed to be paired with specific meters. In order to use a test strip properly, one must draw a small blood sample from the body using a lancet. The person should place a drop of blood on the test strip and then run the test strip through the meter.

Each meter and test strip system works differently; some meters use light reflected from the test strip to measure the amount of sugar in the blood, while other systems rely upon electricity generated from the chemical reaction in the test strip.

Test strips vary based on the kind of chemical, or reagent, that is used to create a chemical reaction with the sugar in your blood. The three chemical bases used to make test strips are: glucose oxidase (gloo-kohs ok-si-deys), dehydrogenase (dee-hahy-druh-juh-neys) and hexokinase (hek-suh-kahy-neys). The manufacturer of your meter will determine which chemical to use for each particular style of meter.

While all meter manufacturers make test strips that are designed specifically for use with a particular meter, you may be able to find generic test strips that fit your meter. The generic strips are copies of the strips that were designed to fit your meter and will generally cost significantly less. These generic test strips are called “generic glucose reagent strips.” Be sure to check with the manufacturer of your meter to ensure that the generic test strips you use will be compatible.

See your doctor for more information about test strips and diabetic supplies.