Glucose meter expiration dates?

October 1, 2005 4:05 AM

Blood glucose testing strip expiration dates?

Under doctor's orders to keep a better eye on my blood sugar (as a Type II diabetic who has good A1C numbers) on a daily basis, I'm back into the swing of testing a minimum of four times a day. I have an Accu-Check Advantage Meter, and had about 75 strips left over, all of which expired 9/30/04. They've been in a pretty temperature-controlled environment since then, and I haven't messed with them too much. How do blood glucose testing strips actually expire? If at all possible, I'd like to use them up, since they are pricey. Thanks.

posted by cajo to health (1 comment total)

I have the opposite problem where I run out of strips too soon. I've had my doc change my test strip prescription so I can get 6 tests a day in.

The best thing to do is go to the drug store and get some control solution and test them. That way you'll know if the strips are useful. You don't have to get the control solution for the brand of tester you have since it is just red sugar water with a specific concentration. That 7 or 8 bucks will let you know if each container's strips are going to be usable.

It is a good idea to use that test stuff every once in a while to test the meter since your meter could also give poor results.
posted by birdherder at 6:31 AM on October 1, 2005