Testing Strips

Ketone testing is an essential part of diabetes management as it can prevent short-term complications like ketoacidosis from happening.

You can measure the ketone levels in your urine and blood, and if you have diabetes, ketones being present means you’re not getting enough insulin, which can be dangerous.

There are multiple ways to test for ketones - you can prick your finger on a lancing device, or allow blood or urine to pass over a testing strip.

You can test your blood sugar at home by using a traditional home glucose monitoring system, where you prick your finger to draw out a drop of blood to put on the test strip.

Place the strip into the meter that displays the blood sugar levels and record the level in case your healthcare provider needs to see the results.

Having a blood sugar reader at home enables you to check your sugar levels multiple times a day, helping you to keep an eye on your results so your healthcare provider can let you know how much medication to take.

There are lots of glucose monitors out there to choose from, ones that are invasive, non-invasive, and continuous, and it all depends on personal preference and lifestyle.

An invasive blood device requires you to draw a very small amount of blood to apply to the test strip, which you’ll have to remember to do multiple times per day.

There’s a minimally invasive variety that you use to scan the area, like your arm, to get a blood level reading instantly; however, the sensors might not always stay in place to form an accurate reading.

Then there's a continuous glucose monitoring device, which continually gives you readings - it requires minimal effort, perfect if you don’t always remember to take your blood sugar levels.

You can’t unfortunately, despite it sounding like a cost-effective option.

Whatever you try to do - flip the strip over or try to remove the first blood sample - as soon as you put it into the meter, it will tell you that the strip is invalid.

If you’re lucky enough to get a reading at all, it cannot be trusted as an accurate reading as the strip has been tampered with.

Manufacturers only put enough enzymes into the strip for one test and one test only - after it’s been used, there won’t be enough for another test.