Test strip accuracy

You may have heard that glucose meters aren’t always accurate.

Studies have shown that the accuracy of diabetes test strips can vary. Researchers tested the accuracy of 18 blood glucose monitoring systems in three studies. Here’s some of what they found:

blood sugar test kit

Six of the systems met the standard for accuracy in all three studies.

Five met the standard in two studies.

Three met the standard in one study.

Four didn’t meet the standard for accuracy in any of the studies.

The good news is that the FDA now calls for all new blood glucose meter readings to be within at least 15% of the lab’s measurements. This means your reading must be accurate at least 19 times out of 20. And all new studies must have at least 350 people with diabetes, more than originally required.

How to confirm accuracy test strips

Even though the manufacturers strive to be as accurate as possible, there is always a margin of error. According to the Food and Drug Administration Department regulations for all blood glucose test glucometer:

For result at or above 75 mg/dl (4.2 mmol/l), 95% of the meter test outcomes must be within ±20% of the actual blood glucose level. For example, if your meter reads 100, your actual glucose level can actually be anywhere between 80 to 120.

glucose test strip container 

For results below 75 mg/dl: 95% of the test results must be within plus or minus 15 points of the actual blood glucose level. So a reading of 70 only gives an indication that your actual glucose level is anywhere between 55 to 85.

This is the unfortunate trade-off for having equipment that is both small and easy to use. Given that there is a margin of error, almost all glucometers are close to being equally accurate. In addition, there are other factors that may play a role in the accuracy of test strips:

Sellers’ method of storing the test strips may contribute to the accuracy of the strips. As explained earlier, humidity and temperature will affect how well the enzymes in the test strip work. If they keep the test strips in a hot warehouse, no wonder you will hear reviewers complaining that the readings are very inaccurate.

How consumers use and store their test strips will affect the accuracy of the test strips. Improper storage and use, rough handling of the test strips, and expired test strips are some of the most common sources of error in-home blood glucose monitoring. Another common mistake is to use one brand of test strips on a different brand glucometer.

How to do diabetes home test kit

A home blood sugar test kit reads glucose testing strips. These strips allow the machine to detect the level of glucose in a drop of blood.

People obtain a sample of their blood with a lancet, or small, short needle.

For the most accurate testing, people should keep a record or log of the food they eat and look for trends in their blood glucose readings.

glucose test strip container

Whether consuming a high- or low-carbohydrate meal, a higher-than-normal blood sugar reading after a person has eaten suggests that their body is not reducing blood glucose successfully after mealtimes.

Before testing, people will need to read the manual for the blood glucose monitor and testing strips. Many home glucose monitors work in different ways. In most cases, people should only insert testing strips into the monitor immediately before a reading.

After consulting a doctor about the right testing schedule and frequency, a person can follow these steps:

Wash and dry the hands before handling the testing kit.

Some methods recommend cleansing the testing area with an alcohol swab. Others may merely advise washing with warm, soapy water. With either, make sure the area is dry before taking a sample.

Some glucose monitors allow testing on the arm or another, less sensitive area of the body. Rapid changes in blood sugar may not present accurately in less sensitive areas. The finger is usually best when monitoring for rapid changes in blood sugar.

When testing on the finger, use the side of the finger, and test different fingers on each occasion. Most lancets allow the user to set how deep they penetrate the skin. People with thicker or drier skin should set the penetration higher.

Before lancing the finger, position it against a solid surface. Apply the lance firmly but not forcefully.

Gently squeeze the finger while holding it at chest level and allow a drop of blood to flow onto the diabetes home test kit.

Note and record the blood glucose reading following each test.

Blood testing near our life

Blood has always held the keys to our bodies’ health: it helps carry nutrients in and waste out, and interrogating it can provide solace when we are well and answers when we are sick.

glucose test strip container

Blood testing is ubiquitous, but it’s clear its possibilities are unfulfilled. Through different methods and modalities, these diagnostics promise to be a more accessible, less invasive, smarter, cheaper and a comprehensive way to gather knowledge about what’s going on under the skin-whether in a doctor’s office, at home or within a clinical laboratory.