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For many people with diabetes, blood glucose testing strips are a key part of checking and managing your blood sugar levels. But what do they actually do? With so many options on the market, does it matter which ones you buy?
We created this quick guide to help you understand how blood glucose testing strips work, how to use them safely, and what to look for as you shop.
How Blood Glucose Testing Strips Work
Blood glucose test strips work together with blood glucose meters to collect and analyze your blood for glucose levels. Let’s go through the process of testing blood sugar to understand how test strips play a role in checking blood sugar.
Prepare: Set up your test by putting a test strip in the blood glucose meter.
Prick: Use your meter’s lancet (needle) to prick your finger.
Collect: Squeeze your finger until you see a small drop of blood and place it at the end of your test strip.
Read: Check the blood sugar reading on your glucose meter.
But how does the meter know how much glucose is on the test strip? Each strip supports a chemical process that converts glucose into electricity. The electrical signal travels through built-in circuits in the test strip until it reaches the meter, which then shows a number representing your blood sugar result. A higher number means your blood has created a stronger signal due to higher glucose levels.
Since glucose testing strips have chemical and electrical components, they can go bad over time or if not stored properly. It’s important to follow expiration dates and storage instructions carefully, or you may not receive accurate readings. Most brands ask you to store the test strips in a cool, dry, dark place at home. Storing them in a bathroom cabinet or drawer should do the trick.
TRUE METRIX Self Monitoring Blood Glucose Meter Kit Combo (Meter and 50 Test Strips)
$ 30.89
$ 38.61
The TRUE METRIX Glucose Meter is a reliable monitor for quick and accurate blood glucose testing. The TRUE METRIX meter kit tests blood sugar from the fingertip or forearm and is able to store 500 results with the date and time.… read more
Shopping for Blood Glucose Test Strips
Glucose test strips are widely available over the counter in person or online through manufacturers, pharmacies, and supply stores. Here at Total Diabetes Supply, we sell many blood glucose test strip brands at different costs and counts.
Before you buy, consider these three criteria when purchasing your test strips: cost, brand, and authenticity.
Cost
Test strips can cost $10 for a 30-pack to about $130 for a 100-pack, but exact costs vary between brands.
To keep prices low, check your insurance plan to see if it covers your strips. Most states require insurance (including Medicaid) to offer coverage for diabetes supplies if your doctor documents that it’s medically necessary, but the coverage amount depends on the state or your plan.
The same goes for Medicare—blood glucose strips are covered under Part B as durable medical equipment. But the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that there may be a limit to how many you get every few months.
Also consider purchasing your glucose test strips through a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) if you have one. Although most FSAs and HSAs generally list test strips as eligible purchases, it’s safe to check first.
Brand
Many brands offer blood glucose strips, like FreeStyle Lite and OneTouch. Some are more expensive than others and offer different counts in each pack, from 30 to 100. Certain insurers, like some Medicaid programs, may only cover certain brands.
FreeStyle Lite Test Strips - 50 ct.
$ 66.94
$ 83.68
Freestyle Lite Test Strips make testing easier, faster, and less painful! No Coding Technology makes these Freestyle Blood Glucose Test Strips more accurate and convenient than any other test strip. Just 0.3, the world's smallest sample size, is all that… read more
But when you purchase a glucose meter of a certain brand, you’re also committing to their test strips. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) says that you should always use the test strip compatible with your meter for the most accurate results. Mixing and matching glucose meters of one brand with glucose strips of another could cause reading errors, which is dangerous.
OneTouch Ultra Glucose Test Strips - 50 ct.
$ 66.94
$ 83.68
The OneTouch Ultra Blue Test Strips with FastDraw Design make blood glucose testing fast, easy, and less painful. The OneTouch Ultra Meter gives results in just 5 seconds and requires just a speck of blood, making the test an easier… read more
Authenticity
Watch out for pre-owned or unauthorized test strips. The FDA issued a warning in 2019 stating that pre-owned test strips are being sold on Amazon, eBay, and Craigslist for less than new products. Using pre-owned, unauthorized strips could lead to inaccurate readings, which can lead to serious health emergencies.
According to the FDA, you can check if a test strip is pre-owned or unauthorized by looking to see if the box has been opened or checking the expiration date. Also, if you’re able to purchase a prescription-only test strip without showing a prescription, it’s likely unauthorized in the United States.
Bottom Line
When shopping for blood glucose testing strips, always choose ones compatible with your meter to avoid misreadings. Glucose testing strips can be pricey, but never settle for pre-owned or unauthorized options. Check with your insurance company to see how many strips they will cover, and consider purchasing through an FSA or HSA if you have one.
FAQs
Can I buy blood glucose test strips over the counter?
Yes, most blood glucose test strips don’t require a prescription and are available over the counter through pharmacies, supply stores, and manufacturers in person or online. But if you’d like insurance to cover your strips, your doctor will need to submit documentation that says they’re medically necessary.
How can I get free diabetic test strips?
Your insurer may cover all your diabetic test strips depending on your state, plan, and medical needs. If you need more support, check charitable programs in your area.
Can you check blood glucose without pricking?
Yes, some glucose monitoring systems don’t use a typical blood glucose meter that requires a finger prick. The most popular alternative is called continuous glucose monitoring, which uses a wearable tracker that sends readings to a device (or your smartphone) for you to review.
Do diabetic test strips go bad?
Diabetic test strips can go bad past their expiration date or when stored incorrectly. Strips have built-in chemicals and circuits that help the meter read blood glucose levels from your blood sample, and those components can go bad over time or in the wrong environment. Always store strips in dry, cool, dark places like a drawer.
