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Using test strips after their expiry date

Discussion in 'Ask A Question' started by ButtterflyLady, Aug 5, 2015.

  1. ButtterflyLady

    ButtterflyLady Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Hi folks

    I haven't tested my BG for so long that my test strips have passed their expiry date (oops!). I will need to get a new script for them, and this could take up to a week. In the meantime, I am wondering if I should rely on the readings from these expired test strips or not.

    I have test strips that expired in March 2015 and December 2014 respectively. I just tested my BG using a December 2014 expired strip and got the result of 6.7, which seems fine (I had a snack about an hour ago). Honestly I was expecting it to be higher, since I have let things go a bit lately.

    I'm using a CareSens II meter, if that's any help.

    Thanks.
     
    #1 ButtterflyLady, Aug 5, 2015 at 4:26 AM
  2. himtoo

    himtoo Type 1 · Well-Known Member
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    don't know for sure -- my experience with my glucomens meter and test strips would say not to.
    I left a tub of strips open on the kitchen counter for about an hour a few weeks ago and using a strip got a reading that suggested i was nowhere near hypo (7.2) when I could feel hypo symptoms
    i used a spare optium meter and some strips i had left from that ( i was in the midst of changing over to the new glucomens so had both )
    and the optium read me out at 3.4 ( which was how i felt)

    i think it is a risk to use out of date strips personally ( just my opinion :) )
     
    • Like Like x 2
    #2 himtoo, Aug 5, 2015 at 6:50 AM
  3. ButtterflyLady

    ButtterflyLady Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    You make a good point. Fortunately it doesn't matter too much if my readings are out, being T2, but for a T1, it's a serious issue.
     
    #3 ButtterflyLady, Aug 5, 2015 at 7:36 AM
  4. himtoo

    himtoo Type 1 · Well-Known Member
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    hi CatLadyNZ
    type does not matter
    good control is essential for us all :)

    all the best !
     
    • Like Like x 4
    #4 himtoo, Aug 5, 2015 at 7:43 AM
  5. ButtterflyLady

    ButtterflyLady Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Yes, that's true. I'm pretty happy with my control at the moment, since my HbA1c has been in the low 40s/high 30s for some time. I think it is creeping up though, which is why I'm going to self-monitor for a while and cut back on carbs.

    I tested before dinner and 2 hours after, and the results were 5.7 then 5.2, so now I know my test strips have definitely gone crazy, lol. I will wait until I get fresh ones before testing again.

    Thanks for your help :)
     
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    #5 ButtterflyLady, Aug 5, 2015 at 9:15 AM
  6. noblehead

    noblehead Type 1 · Guru
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    @CatLadyNZ, some bg meters won't accept out of date strips so your lucky (or unlucky) that your does :)
     
    #6 noblehead, Aug 5, 2015 at 2:36 PM
  7. Daibell

    Daibell LADA · Master

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    The main thing is to not open or leave open a tub of strips for too long. An un-opened tub should last well beyond the expiry date, ut obviously not guaranteed.
     
    #7 Daibell, Aug 5, 2015 at 3:08 PM
  8. MikeVincent

    MikeVincent Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Your blood glucose may have been higher if the test strips are now reading low because they are out of date.

    However, FWIW, I used some out of date Accu-Chek Aviva test strips recently and got broadly similar results to in date test strips.

    If memory serves, test meters are only required to be within 20% of the actual value to be considered "accurate".

    Regards,

    Mike
     
    #8 MikeVincent, Aug 5, 2015 at 4:05 PM
  9. ButtterflyLady

    ButtterflyLady Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Good to know, thanks for that.
     
    #9 ButtterflyLady, Aug 5, 2015 at 7:18 PM
  10. ButtterflyLady

    ButtterflyLady Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, that's interesting. I have an unopened tub that only expired in March this year, so maybe they will be more reliable than these ones that have been opened a long time ago.
     
    #10 ButtterflyLady, Aug 5, 2015 at 7:20 PM
  11. Anthea1948

    Anthea1948 Type 2 · Member

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    When the meter I had from my surgery gave me readings that I was sure weren't right I used my husband's, together with his expired strips. They gave readings that seemed more reasonable and I then got some new strips and used them and they gave the same sort of readings. However I now have a new machine and the readings on that are different again (even using the new test strips) so in my opinion no two meters give the same readings and although the test strips probably work I wouldn't want to rely on them.
     
    • Like Like x 4
    #11 Anthea1948, Aug 9, 2015 at 8:45 PM
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