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Diabetes Control Solutions Through Diabetes Test Strips and Meters

Diabetes control solutions are used to determine the accuracy of your blood sugar monitor and Diabetes strips. Glucose control solutions work just as blood would with your diabetic meter and your blood glucose test strips. This is due to the fact that your diabetes control solution contains just enough glucose to react with the similarly to when you perform a glucose blood test.

Why should you use Diabetes Control Solutions?

• To practice monitoring your blood sugar levels (important for recently diagnosed diabetics)
• To determine if a new meter is functioning properly, this serves as a way to calibrate your diabetes meter
• To make sure your blood glucose meter and diabetes are not damaged, if your meter has fallen accidentally or if your vial of glucometer have been left open or in the heat.

Things to remember when purchasing Glucose control solution:

• Each brand of Diabetes Control Solution is made for that specific brand of diabetes, and not necessarily for that specific brand of diabetes meter.
• The Diabetes Control Solution range is usually found on the package of diabetes strips
• If an error occurs, follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to isolate and correct the error

Calibrate regularly. Diabetic Control Solutions are important tools for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of your blood glucose monitor and your blood glucose.

Glucose Test Strip

Diabetes strips, also called glucometer, are used with a Diabetes meter to help measure the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood stream.strips are designed to be paired with specific meters. In order to use a test strip properly, a small blood sample is drawn from the body using a lancet. The sample is placed on the blood glucose test strip and then run through the Diabetes meter.

Each Diabetic Blood sugar meters and system works differently; some meters use light reflected from the test strip to measure the amount of sugar in the blood, while other systems rely upon electricity generated from the chemical reaction in the test strip.

Blood glucose test strips vary based on which chemical, or reagent, is used to react with the sugar in the blood. The three chemical bases used to make are: Glucose oxidase (GLOO-kohs ok-si-deys), dehydrogenase (DEE-hy-druh-juh-neys) and hexokinase (hek-SUH-Ky-neys). The manufacturer of each Diabetic meter determines which chemical is used for each particular style of Diabetic test strip.

Generic Test Strips

While all meter manufacturers make that are designed specifically for use with their meters, you may be able to find generic strips, that generally cost significantly less, to fit your meter. These generic are called "generic glucose reagent strips." Be sure to check with the manufacturer of your meter to ensure that the generic you purchase will be compatible with your Diabetes meter.

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