The summer season presents some special concerns for people with diabetes. It’s more difficult for individuals to keep their blood sugar levels at a safe level during the heat of summer. It’s a time when diabetes management can be interrupted for many reasons.

Use of Insulin

High temperatures affect the way the body uses insulin. Individuals will need to test more often to keep blood sugar levels within range. Individuals will need to adjust their diet, liquid intake, and insulin dosage.

Dehydration

People with diabetes are more sensitive to humidity and temperatures, and they’re at increased risk of heat exhaustion. Diabetics get dehydrated quicker than others and failure to drink enough liquids – preferably water – can increase blood sugar levels. Those elevated levels make individuals urinate more often. Diuretics and some blood pressure medications can contribute to dehydration.

Diabetics should drink water, even if they don’t feel particularly thirsty. Eschew any type of alcoholic drinks and beverages that contain caffeine. That includes coffee, tea, sports drinks and energy beverages. They contribute to dehydration.

Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke

Damage to blood vessels and nerves is a common problem for diabetics and can interfere with the ability to sweat and cool the body. That can easily lead to medical emergencies of heat exhaustion or heat stroke Keep informed about the heat index. The temperature may be 80, but can actually feel like 100 due to the combination of heat and humidity. Stay in the shade as much as possible.

Use A/C

Make good use of air conditioning, especially during the hottest part of the day. Fans don’t cool – they just blow around the heated air. Exercise, walk the dog and run errands during the coolest part of the day. Consider exercising at an air-conditioned gym or fitness center.

Dress Light and Loose

Wear light colored clothing that fits loosely and is lightweight to reduce sweating and allow sweat to evaporate better.

Power Outages

Plan ahead for power outages. Have a small cooler and ice on hand for insulin that must be kept cool. Go to a cooling station or other facility where air conditioning is available if the outage will last several hours.

Symptoms

Know the symptoms of high or low blood sugar levels. Symptoms encompass dizziness, headaches, nausea and increased heartbeat, along with muscle cramps, profuse sweating and even fainting. The inability to sweat is a major danger sign.

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!

When you’re diagnosed with diabetes, the overwhelming warning you receive from doctors is to be careful of high blood sugar levels. You’re cautioned about the symptoms of glucose levels that are too high and the deadly conditions to which you’re susceptible ranging from heart disease to kidney failure. What doctors and dieticians seldom tell you is the dangers of low blood sugar known as hypoglycemia.

Low glucose levels can be just as dangerous and deadly as those that are too elevated. In an effort to manage the disease, you could be placing yourself at risk for low blood sugar levels. Glucose levels continually change throughout the day and it’s essential that you know the symptoms of hypoglycemia, its causes, and what to do.

Reasons for Low Blood Sugar

You may have taken too much insulin, it’s been too long since you’ve eaten, or you’ve been engaged in physical activity which uses extra sugar to fuel the body. Drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages, being dehydrated, and exposure to very hot and humid conditions can also result in low blood sugar. Women may experience low blood sugar levels during menstruation. Some diseases and disorders, types of prescribed medications, and over-the-counter remedies can affect blood glucose levels.

Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of low blood sugar are similar to those of elevated glucose levels. You may begin to shake and/or sweat, feel nervous or anxious, and display irritability or confusion. Dizziness and fast heartbeat are also symptoms and you might or might not feel hungry.

As hypoglycemia worsens, symptoms include weakness, along with difficulty seeing clearly and walking. It’s not uncommon to faint and seizures may eventually occur. One of the reasons that frequent blood sugar testing is essential is that some people have no overt symptoms and may be unaware that their glucose levels have dropped.

Treatment

For immediate relief of symptoms, drink some orange juice or other high sugar beverage. You can also eat some glucose tablets, hard candy or glucose gel. It’s a good idea to keep a glucagon emergency kit handy and make sure that family and friends know how to use it.

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!

People with diabetes have dozens of things to consider each day and one of those is disposing of their used glucose test strips, lancets and syringes. Many test strip packages have instructions on the inside detailing how to dispose of them, but the information is buried in a mountain of small print.

The first thing to know is that any object that contains blood is considered biomedical waste and must be disposed of in an appropriate manner. There are specially made sharps containers specifically designed for disposing of used test strips, lancets and syringes. The containers are red, come in different sizes, and are available in pharmacies. They also contain visible warnings on the outside of the container about what they hold.

When a sharps container is full, tape the top securely and place it in the middle of the trash bin for pick up. Many Florida counties and health departments have initiated drop off programs where people can take their full containers for disposal. In some instances, individuals can receive another container at no cost or at minimal cost. Drop off programs are also available at some pharmacies, clinics, hospitals and medical waste facilities.

If residents don’t have such a program in their area, the Florida Health Department offers another solution, but advises that individuals should check with their trash pickup company to ensure that the following method is allowed.

People without a sharps container can use a hard plastic or metal container with a screw on top. The most commonly used containers are liquid detergent bottles, though a paint can is also acceptable. When the container is full, secure the top with heavy duty tape. Use a marker and clearly mark the container as “Medical Waste.” It can then be placed in the center of the trash bin for pick up.

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!

People with diabetes rely on accurate readings from their glucose test strips and meters to effectively manage their disease. All test strips and meters must meet minimum standards for reliability and accuracy. However, a higher priced glucose test strip doesn’t automatically translate into greater accuracy.

A controversy over test strips has raged for years as some have been proven to be more accurate than others. However, it’s not just the test strips that have to be considered. The meters also figure highly into the equation. Some meters and test strips haven’t been re-evaluated or tested for accuracy since first being approved by the FDA.

The introduction of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) that use a sticky sensor applied to the body and read by phones, is gaining popularity and widely used by many diabetics. However, the cost can be prohibitive and there are millions of people that are still pricking their fingers and using glucose test strips and monitors.

The Diabetes Technology Society, a non-profit organization based in California, compared 18 popular glucose meters and test strips for accuracy. The gold-standard is a meter and test strip combination that yields blood glucose readings within 15 percent of laboratory values of at least 95 percent. Only 6 passed the organization’s accuracy tests:

1. Bayer Contour Next, 100 percent
2. Roche Accu-Chek Aviva Plus, 98 percent
3. Walmart ReliOn Confirm from Arkray, 97 percent
4. CVS Advanced from Agamatrix 97 percent
5. Abbott FreeStyle Lite, 96 percent
6. Roche Accu-Chek SmartView, 95 percent

The cost of both the test strips and meter should factor into the decision as to which meter/test strip combination to purchase. Another consideration is if the meter and test strips are covered by insurance, along with any applicable co-pays. Use care when selecting the meter/test strip combo. There are multiple options from each brand and the cost of test strips will be an ongoing expense.

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!

Many people are trading in their unused glucose test strips for cash and you can, too. Before you start inventorying what you have to sell, there are some things you need to know. Buyers of test strips are very particular about what they accept and for very good reason. They sell the test strips to individuals that need them and the strips must conform to the same standards as you’d purchase them in the store.

The answer is no – you can’t sell opened boxes of test strips. The boxes must be unopened and in good condition. Test strips also have an expiration date and companies that buy test strips typically want a minimum of an 8-month window until the strip’s expiration date.

They should also have been stored under appropriate conditions and not exposed to high heat or dampness. Test strips paid for through government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid can’t be resold.

Test strips that don’t meet those requirements can’t be counted upon to provide an accurate reading that’s essential for individuals to manage their disease. Even though they appear simple, test strips are high tech devices and the manufacturing process is complicated. Test strips utilize stabilizing chemicals and enzymes to read glucose levels.

Those enzymes and stabilizing chemicals have a specific shelf life. Each manufacturer has its own proprietary combination of chemicals, each of which remains stable and effective over varying lengths of time.

Companies that purchase test strips resell them to those with diabetes that can’t afford expensive co-pays, are underinsured or are uninsured. Selling your test strips for extra cash is easy.

You can obtain a quote online and the companies will even pay the postage to send the test strips to them. If the strips are accepted, they offer multiple payment methods. If the test strips are rejected, the company will pay the postage to return them to you. It’s a win-win situation for you as the seller and those with diabetes.

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!

The little plastic test strips for testing glucose levels appear simple, but are a marvel of modern technology, allowing individuals to effectively manage their diabetes at home. All manufacturers of test strips use essentially the same process and the strips work in the same way. However, each manufacturer incorporates small, proprietary differences that ensure it’s only compatible with the company’s brand of meter.

The laminated test strips are comprised of multiple ultra-thin layers and essentially work by using a blood sample to create an electrochemical reaction. A chemical reaction takes place and is converted into an electrical impulse that’s sent to the meter where it’s read.

Test strips begin with a base of polyester, overlaid with a carbon layer to facilitate conductivity. A micro-thin gold or silver-based layer is added and cut into a printed circuit designed to make an electrical circuit when blood is introduced.

A layer of enzymes and stabilizing chemicals are applied to the end of the test strip that accepts the blood sample. When blood is introduced to the strip, a chemical reaction takes place and converted into an electrical impulse that is then read by the glucose meter and presented as a number on the meter’s readout.

The enzymes and stabilizing chemicals have a specific lifespan. High humidity and extremes in temperature degrade the enzyme and chemicals used, thereby rendering an inaccurate reading and placing users’ health at risk.

Test strips that have exceeded their expiration date can exhibit errors by giving readings that are over or under the actual glucose level. Individuals may use too much or too little insulin to compensate. Manufacturers use different enzymes and chemicals unique to their particular brand. Some test strips may provide better accuracy but have a longer shelf life, while other brands may be slightly less accurate but have a longer expiration date.

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!

Monitoring blood glucose levels is an essential part of living with diabetes. It becomes progressively easier over time for adults to prick their fingers to obtain a sample of blood. Parents must perform the testing for very small children. However, a day will come when parents will have to teach their child how to use test strips and glucose meters on their own.

How to Check

Even though they may have seen their parents perform the testing procedure many times, doing it on their own is an entirely different matter. Parents will need to walk a child through the process and it may take many repetitions before they feel confident and do it correctly. That’s to be expected and parents shouldn’t get frustrated with them.

Why to Check

Parents need to have an honest conversation with the child. Children need to know that testing is the way they can help keep themselves safe. Explain what normal readings are, along with what constitutes a high or low reading and what to do. The readings tell them whether they need to eat something, take insulin and if so, how much. If the child is involved in sports and other activities, they need to know that testing allows them to monitor their glucose levels so they can participate.

When to Check

Teach the child that they’ll need to check before breakfast, lunch and dinner and before bed. Teens will need to know they should never get behind the wheel of a car unless they’ve tested their glucose levels first. It’s important for them to know that sometimes they’ll need to check more often – before, during and after exercise. Sometimes glucose levels can drop during the night and there may be times when they need to wake up and check, especially if their glucose levels are low at bedtime.

Additional Checking

When people are ill, it can affect their glucose levels and some medications also affect glucose levels. Be sure the child knows that blood glucose levels can fluctuate if they’re sick and it’s a good idea to test more often if they’re ill. Parents shouldn’t panic about teaching a child to test their own blood – they’ll always be there to provide advice and assistance.

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!

Test strips are an essential tool for checking blood glucose levels to manage diabetes. The test strips are an ongoing need that’s also expensive. The cost varies widely, depending upon the brand, number of strips used and how often an individual has to test. Further complicating the equation is that test strips aren’t interchangeable between different brands of meters.

There are store brands, known as generic strips, that cost as little as $20 per 100 (20 cents per strip), while name brands can cost up to $188 per 100 ($1.88 per strip). That’s a low of 80 cents per day if a person tests 4 times per day to a high of $7.52. All test strips have to meet minimum accuracy requirements.

The test strip industry is a study in contradictions. Test strip manufacturers insist the cost is a direct result of research and materials to create the tiny strips. Many people say that the cost of the strips increases if their insurance is paying for them. The plastic test strips have a thin gold coating and one end has a coating of enzymes. When blood enters the test strip, it reacts to the enzyme and creates an electrical impulse that’s read by the glucose meter.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are held up as the gold standard of glucose monitors and are only available by prescription. Some insurance companies pay a portion of the cost, some don’t, and some insurers limit it for use to people with Type 1 diabetes. It’s typically too expensive for most people, even with insurance, for the cost of the sensors each month that can range from $160 to $500 per month.

It’s no wonder that diabetics are turning to alternative sources to obtain the test strips they need. Resellers of diabetic test strips buy test them from people that don’t need them or have too many, and resell them at a discount to individuals that that are uninsured or underinsured. It’s one way for people with the disease to obtain the test strips needed to help them stay alive.

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!

People with diabetes often have difficulty choosing or preparing meals at home. It’s a balancing act to obtain required nutrition, while limiting carbohydrates. The solution may be a diabetic meal delivery service, but many individuals don’t even know the services exist.

Before signing up for one of the services, make sure the meals are created by a registered dietician. The meals should be low calorie, but low-calorie counts shouldn’t translate into potions so small that people find themselves ravenous 2 hours later.

Individuals should have the option of including healthy snacks and choose the meals they receive. Some services require that customers pay extra for the ability to make personal choices. There should also be options for individuals that are vegan, gluten intolerant, and those that must be mindful of their sodium intake. Ideally, meals should be packaged in microwave safe containers.

The plans can be pricy, ranging from $7 to $8 per meal and as high as $11 to $14 per meal. Some services charge a flat fee per day or week and others require customers to order a month’s worth of meals at a time. Shipping may or may not be included in the cost.

An additional consideration is if the meals come pre-cooked, if they have to be cooked at home, and how much preparation clients must perform. Some services simply provide the ingredients and recipes, but prep and cooking are left to the customer.

Diabetic meal services can be ideal for those that don’t like to cook, live busy lifestyles, or are having a lot of trouble maintaining appropriate blood glucose levels. Meals are designed to help people manage their glucose levels throughout the day, but not all plans enable customers to choose the meals they want. The plans can cost more than eating at home and before signing up for any plan, read all the fine print.

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!

There are dozens of myths about sugar and diabetes. One of the most prevalent, especially among those advocating for natural solutions, is that honey is better for diabetics and can be eaten without ill effects. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Honey is a form of sugar and the body doesn’t differentiate between different types of sugar. The body treats all sugars in the same way and honey is actually sweeter than granulated sugar. There’s no advantage to using honey over other types of sweeteners, but diabetics can eat it if they prefer. Honey should never be given to a child under the age of 12 months. There’s a risk of infant botulism.

The only difference in honey and sugar is that people may be able to use a lesser amount of honey than cane sugar in a recipe. Honey is slightly higher in calories and carbohydrates than regular sugar. Diabetics can use honey as a sweetener, but should do so in moderation.

For those that prefer honey, use pure, raw or organic honey. One tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories compared to 49 in a tablespoon of sugar. Both sugar and honey contain carbohydrates comprised of two types of sugar – glucose and fructose. Honey contains 40 percent fructose and 30 percent glucose, along with water, pollen and some minerals. Sugar contains 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose.

While honey elevates glucose levels as efficiently as other types of sugars, research has shown that it does have some benefits. Honey has natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It’s one of the reasons that it’s used in cough syrups and in wound healing preparations.

The bottom line is that honey isn’t a wonder sweetener and is no better than traditional sugar. Both types of sweeteners will increase and even spike glucose levels. The body doesn’t care which sweetener is used. It metabolizes all sugars the same way.

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!