Before considering using expired test strips, it is vital to ask yourself a few questions about their potential effectiveness. After opening, blood glucose test strips can normally be used for three to six months but for this it’s important to refer to the information provided for each brand of test strips.Īccuracy is key when testing your blood sugar. Most experts maintain that the test strips should be used before the expiration date, which should be found on the strips or the box, in which they arrived. ![]() The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even specifically warns against using expired diabetes test strips as they might lead to inaccurate results. Image from Can expired test strips give a false reading? However, this could lead to an inaccurate reading of the blood glucose. Some claim that the test strips can be used for a short period of time beyond their expiration date if the test strips have been stored properly and any damage to the strips has been avoided. What about the lifespan of these blood glucose test strips? For years, it has been debated whether people with diabetes can safely use expired test strips. How long does a diabetes test strip last? A number appears on the meter that reflects the speed of the electric current – the more blood sugar is detected the stronger the signal, which means a higher number on your blood glucose meter. So, when blood is placed onto the test strip, it soaks up your blood like a sponge, reacts with the chemical, and turns the glucose into electricity.Īt the other end of the test strip, the meter transfers a current to the test strip, which has electric terminals that allow the meter to measure blood glucose levels. ![]() On one end of the strip, there’s a chemical called glucose oxidase that produces gluconic acid from the glucose in the blood. ![]() The test strips are coated with a thin layer of gold that is cut into a pattern, which becomes the strip’s circuit.
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