Diabetes Test Strips
Test strips are used to test your blood glucose levels in blood glucose meters
Blood glucose test strips (diabetes test strips) are one of the components of a diabetes monitoring system. Diabetic test strips are an essential part of monitoring blood glucose. A wide variety of diabetes test strips are available on the UK market.
How do diabetes test strips work?
Diabetes test strips do not work on their own, they are used in conjunction with a blood glucose monitor.
A diabetic pricks themselves in order to draw blood, which is then applied to the test strip. The blood glucose monitor is then able to detect how much blood glucose is present.
Other diabetic test strips can test for ketones, although these are less common that blood glucose testing strips.
Where can I get test strips?
Blood glucose test strips for diabetics are made by a variety of companies, both within the UK and abroad. Below is a table of manufacturers and the test strips their meters take.
You can choose to buy the specific test strips from the Diabetes Shop.
Comes in packs of 50 strips with 1 calibrator.
- Optium
- Optium Easy
- Optium Xceed
- Boots meters
Comes in packs of 50 strips.
- FreeStyle
- FreeStyle Freedom
- FreeStyle Mini
- FreeStyle Navigator
- InsuLinx
- Accu-Chek Aviva
- Accu-Chek Aviva Nano
- Accu-Chek Aviva Combo
- Accu-Chek Aviva Expert
Comes in packs of 50 strips.
- Accu-Chek Advantage Plus
Comes in packs of 50 strips.
- Accu-Chek Compact
- Accu-Chek Compact Plus
Comes in packs of 50 strips.
- Bayer Contour USB
- Bayer Contour
- Bayer Contour Link
- Bayer Didget
50 glucose test strips for use with the GlucoRx.
- GlucoRX
- GlucoRX Nexus
Comes in packs of 50 test strips.
- TRUEresult
- TRUEresult twist
Comes in packs of 50 test strips.
- OneTouch Ultra2
- OneTouch UltraEasy
- OneTouch UltraSmart
Comes in packs of 50 test strips.
- OneTouch Verio Pro
Comes in packs of 50 test strips.
- GlucoMen Lx Plus
- GlucoMen Lx
Comes in packs of 50 test strips.
- GlucoMen Visio
How long do blood glucose strips last for?
Blood glucose test strips will usually have a use by date on the strips or box they come in.
After opening, blood glucose test strips will typically be good to use for another 3 to 6 months but refer to the box or information leaflet for advice specific to your brand of test strips.
Storage information of blood glucose test strips
The information below is generally applicable for most test strips, but refer to the information leaflet for specific advice on the test strips you use.
- Store test strips at room temperature
- Do not refridgerate
- Keep test strips within the closed (sealed) vial
- Do not use test strips that have been in contact with dirt, crumbs, food or liquids
- Do not use test strips if they have been damaged in any way
