Skip to main content Skip to search

Archives for June 2023

Blood Glucose Meter

The Ins and Outs of Test Strips

Test strips are one of the essential tools that people with diabetes need to manage their disease. While all test strips measure the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood stream, there are some things that people need to know about the tiny medical devices – especially for those that are newly diagnosed.

How They Work

Test strips utilize a very small amount of blood to measure the amount of glucose in the blood. The blood, combined with enzymes within the strip, creates an electrical impulse that’s transmitted to the meter. The meter produces a digital readout of the amount of sugar in the blood. It tells individuals if they have to administer insulin or eat something if the number is too low.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Each brand of test strips are made for a specific brand of meter. Test strips are not interchangeable among different meter brands.

Cost Varies

The cost of test strips varies widely, depending on the brand. Out-of-pocket costs will depend on an individual’s insurance coverage. Some healthcare insurers pay for more than an individual needs per month, while others may not cover enough.

Glucose meters and test strips can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. That route can be less expensive than using insurance to cover the cost, especially for those that are uninsured or underinsured.

Accuracy and Meter Features

An expensive meter doesn’t automatically make it more accurate. There are store brand meters and test strips that are highly accurate. Meters can have a variety of features that make them more desirable for some, such as large LED displays or those that will give an audible reading.

Personal Choice

The selection of a glucose monitor and the test strips it uses is a personal choice. Some physicians routinely prescribe a certain brand, but the choice is ultimately up to each individual and if they can afford the test strips it uses.

 

We Buy Unused Diabetic Test Strips and Supplies

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

Read more

How do Diabetic Test Strips Work?

Diabetic test strips are used by millions of people across the U.S. who have the disease. They provide an effective and efficient way of measuring the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream, but how they accomplish that feat often remains a mystery, even to those that use them. There are more modern methods of testing available, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), but test strips are by far the most often utilized method of testing. CGMs are a more expensive option and many insurers won’t cover the cost of the devices unless clients meet specific eligibility requirements.

Blood Sample

Test strips use a small sample of a person’s blood to measure the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. The end of the test strip is touched to the blood sample and the strip automatically absorbs a small amount of blood into the strip

Enzymes

Test strips are manufactured with an enzyme that reacts to the blood sample. It triggers a bio-chemical electrical current that’s read by a glucose monitor. The more glucose that’s in the blood, the larger the reaction with the enzymes in the test strip. A glucose meter translates the response into a number that’s displayed digitally on the meter.

Deadly Disease

Uncontrolled diabetes leads to a myriad of health complications and can be deadly. The disease can result in blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure, stroke and heart attack, and mental health issues. The damage to nerves and blood vessels – primarily in the feet and legs – can result in amputations. There’s no cure for diabetes, but proper monitoring can aid in preventing or delaying the negative impact it has on the body.

Disease Management

The process of testing glucose levels seems fairly simple, but it’s a highly complex interaction. Make no mistake, diabetic test strips are small but powerful medical devices and critical for the monitoring and management of diabetes.

 

We Buy Unused Diabetic Test Strips and Supplies

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

Read more
sell test strips

Why are Test Strips Needed?

Test strips are a necessary part of a multi-step process for monitoring and managing diabetes. With daily monitoring using test strips and a glucose monitor, healthy eating and lifestyle changes, the toll the disease takes on the body can be minimized or delayed.

A Medical Device

Test strips are small but powerful medical devices that are combined with a glucose monitor to measure the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. A high reading by the glucose monitor indicates that insulin needs to be administered. If the reading is too low, it’s an indication that an individual needs to eat something to increase glucose to an optimal level.

The Role of Glucose

The body uses glucose to fuel itself and provide the energy to walk, run and perform ordinary activities. Glucose levels that are too low cause symptoms that can include shakiness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and can lead to coma.

The symptoms of glucose levels that are too high include blurred vision, tiredness, irritability, and excessive thirst and urination along with coma Test strips and a glucose monitor are used to keep track of how high or low glucose levels are throughout the day.

Health Complications

Test strips provide the information individuals need to minimize and delay diabetes related complications ranging from heart and kidney disease to nerve and blood vessel damage, along with the potential for amputation. The disease also takes a toll on mental health. There are dozens of decisions each day about what to consume, how much and when. There’s a considerable amount of worry, anxiety and even fear that comes along with being diagnosed as diabetic.

Control is Key

Diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and glucose level monitoring are all steps in controlling the disease. There’s no cure for diabetes, but the measures individuals take after they’ve been diagnosed will have an impact on their future health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally. Test strips are an integral part of diabetic health and wellbeing.

 

We Buy Unused Diabetic Test Strips and Supplies

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

Read more

How Often Should a Blood Glucose Monitor be Replaced

There’s a lot of debate surrounding how often to replace a blood glucose monitor. Manufacturers of the devices recommend doing so every 4 to 5 years to maintain accuracy.

However, purchasing a new meter is also a matter of profitability for manufacturers. Some diabetics report using the same meter for 10 years with great success. There are a number of factors that people may want to consider when deciding when to replace their glucose meter.

Accuracy is Essential

It may be time to replace a glucose monitor if it begins providing suspect readings. Glucose levels that suddenly display as too high or too low when there’s no discernable reason could indicate the need for a new meter. Don’t let the battery power level get too low. There are also testing solutions that can be used to ascertain the accuracy of the meter’s readings.

It’s a good idea to compare at-home testing results with those of the lab when individuals visit their physician if there’s concern. If the at-home readings are within a point or two of the lab results, it may not be the meter that’s a problem.

Test Strips

Be aware that the test strips used in the devices can also be at fault. Test strips must be stored away from high heat, moisture, and be used before the expiration date. The enzymes used in the strips can deteriorate and give faulty readings. Alcohol, hand sanitizer and other substances on the skin can also affect readings. Be sure the strips are inserted correctly.

Blood Sample

Fingers are generally pricked to obtain a blood sample for use in the meter. Samples from other locations don’t provide a reading that’s as accurate. Dehydration and anemia will affect the outcome of testing.

New Meter

Individuals don’t need a cause for concern to replace their current glucose monitor. They may want a meter that uses less expensive test strips or they may desire a meter with updated/upgraded abilities, features and technology.

 

We Buy Unused Diabetic Test Strips and Supplies

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

Read more
0
Your Cart
Skip to content