• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Reusing test strips

J

jenni52

Member
Messages
14
Hi all, I ran out of test strips a couple weeks ago and waiting for a prescription to be issued. I found a test strip on the floor which must have missed the bin, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to try it. Result was 17.5mmol

I haven't seen a number that high for over a year and haven't changed my diet since getting under control so I can assume used strips are wildly inaccurate right?? Has anyone else tried using used ones?
 
No I haven't and after your experience I think I will give it a miss
 
Hi @jenni52 , reusing test strips really doesn't work, I'd ignore the reading.

What medication are you on? You can buy teststrips over the counter/order them online. But if you're on insulin or gliclazide I'd call 999 as well for advice, as being without teststrips is full out dangerous in that case.
 
jenni52 said:
Hi all, I ran out of test strips a couple weeks ago and waiting for a prescription to be issued. I found a test strip on the floor which must have missed the bin, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to try it. Result was 17.5mmol

I haven't seen a number that high for over a year and haven't changed my diet since getting under control so I can assume used strips are wildly inaccurate right?? Has anyone else tried using used ones?
Click to expand...

My meter (Caresens Dual) just gives an error code if I inadvertently put in a used strip. Incidentally most strips have to be used within a set time after removing them from the container too. With both these factors in mind, I wouldn’t trust your reading of 17.5. However if you are on blood glucose lowering meds or insulin I would chase up your prescription before the weekend or try to get an emergency supply from a pharmacy.
 
Antje77 said:
Hi @jenni52 , reusing test strips really doesn't work, I'd ignore the reading.

What medication are you on? You can buy teststrips over the counter/order them online. But if you're on insulin or gliclazide I'd call 999 as well for advice, as being without teststrips is full out dangerous in that case.
Click to expand...
I'm just on metformin and have been well controlled for over a year now. Was silly to try it really, serves me right for being curious!
 
Insofar as my experience a test strip once used cannot be used again. Once test strips have been exposed to the elements (air) they only have a limited lifespan afterwards.
 
jenni52 said:
I'm just on metformin and have been well controlled for over a year now. Was silly to try it really, serves me right for being curious!
Click to expand...
Trying and being curious isn't silly at all!
Glad to here you're well controlled on metformin, hope you'll get hold of some teststrips soon :)
jenni52 said:
waiting for a prescription to be issued.
Click to expand...
Are you sure you'll get them on prescription still? Most T2's on metformin won't, we have many people needing to self fund on the forum.
 
jenni52 said:
I'm just on metformin and have been well controlled for over a year now
Click to expand...

I’m surprised you get strips on prescription for strips if you are only on Metformin. Most of us type 2s on diet or diet and Metformin have to self fund. Maybe your prescription has been cancelled hence the apparent delay?
 
Rachox said:
I’m surprised you get strips on prescription for strips if you are only on Metformin. Most of us type 2s on diet or diet and Metformin have to self fund. Maybe your prescription has been cancelled hence the apparent delay?
Click to expand...
I requested it too early and it is going through to Echo tomorrow.
I had a period of being uncontrolled up until last May and begged for a prescription so I could test and find out what I could and couldn't eat. I'm expecting them to stop soon though.
 
I've been really lucky that my nurse has put strips on prescription (just as well as I'm going through them very quickly while I learn what spikes me and what doesn't!)
 
If you've used a strip, it will have dried out, or at least started to, so the contents of your blood will become concentrated with the evaporation of the fluid part. Whatever you are testing for (in this case glucose) you would get a higher reading by adding more blood. Think of it like reducing a sauce while you are cooking.
I don't have a prescription for strips, I buy mine from Argos (Kinetic brand), only a few pence each.
 
I am lucky in that I was given a meter on diagnosis and have been prescribed strips ever since.

I do self fund a Freestyle Libre 2, though, because of all the trend information.

Metformin only so far.
 
KennyA said:
Reused one accidentally. Had the same experience - BG x3 expected reading, around 14. Retested immediately and back at 4.8.
Click to expand...

Oh that's good to know. Will be receiving my new strips tomorrow, phew! There's nothing like the moment of panic when you see a stupidly high number is there.
 
I reused one of mine as a toothpick once, eeeewwwww lol
 
jenni52 said:
Oh that's good to know. Will be receiving my new strips tomorrow, phew! There's nothing like the moment of panic when you see a stupidly high number is there.
Click to expand...
Utter panic. I put my used strips in an old pot...the trick is to remember which pot the new ones are in. This is not as easy as it sounds for me!!
 
Back
Top