What happens if I use expired test strips?

What happens if I use expired test strips?

Using test strips that have expired can cause your results to be inaccurate. If your test strips have expired, throw them away and begin using a new vial of strips. The expiration date is printed on every vial of test strips.

How long do test strips last after expiration date?

After opening, blood glucose test strips can normally be used for three to six months but for this it’s important to refer to the information provided for each brand of test strips. Accuracy is key when testing your blood sugar.

Can I use expired sugar strips?

After this date, any remaining test strips should be discarded and patients should use a new vial of test strips. This method is simpler than some other competitive strips, which still require the user to calculate and write their expiration date on their vial. Users should never test with expired test strips.

How do you reuse diabetic test strips?

There’s no way to reuse a strip.” No amount of “mad science,” strip dissection, or strip deception makes a difference.

How do I know when my Accu Chek Active strips expire?

As users currently do with most other types of blood glucose test strips on the market, they can simply check the expiration date clearly printed on their vial of the Accu-Chek Active test strips. After this date, any remaining test strips should be discarded and patients should use a new vial of test strips.

What should your A1c be if you are over 65?

The key measure of diabetes control is hemoglobin A1c. For healthy over 65ers with long life expectancy, the target should be 7.0 – 7.5\%. For those with “moderate comorbidity” (so-so health) and a life expectancy of less than 10 years the target should be 7.5 – 8.0\%.

What is a normal blood sugar level?

A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours indicates diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) indicates prediabetes.

Do glucose meters expire?

Many glucose meters can last more than 10 years and still function normally. If you’ve had your glucose meter for a while, you may be wondering when you should consider replacing it.

What is normal blood sugar for seniors?

Normal ranges of blood sugar levels are between 70 and 130 mg/dL before eating meals. The American Diabetes Association recommends seniors have blood glucose levels of less than 180 mg/dL two hours after eating.

Is it safe to use expired or pre-owned test strips?

Healthcare professionals also caution against the tendency of diabetic patients to use expired lancets or test strips as a cost-saving measure. The FDA has warned that saving money by using expired or pre-owned lancets and strips may be a highly unsafe practice in the short run as well as the long run.

How long do diabetic test strips last?

Because each brand uses different enzymes, it will depend on what kind of diabetic test strip you’re using. There is no hard and fast rule about this. One study suggests that you can use expired test strips for up to a year after their marked expiration date. Others suggest six months, while still others suggest two years.

How accurate are expired preprecision Xtra strips?

Precision Xtra strips that expired 2 years ago were not accurate or precise. Those that expired 3 years ago gave false low readings. Most test strips that expired at least 5 years ago were less precise and accurate. They sometimes gave variable readings. The results of most “normal” readings were 10–15\% lower than with unexpired strips.

What can affect the accuracy of my test strips?

Use of test strips exposed to moisture, heat, and humidity may give false results. Any temperatures outside of the recommended range provided by the manufacturer may also damage test strips and interfere with accuracy.