how quickly do test strips spoil ansd how often should you test?

Answer 1

Use the date on the box to determine when they expire. You should test as often as your doctor recommends. Most people with severe diabeties test 3 times day. those with more boarderline cases test 1 - 2 times a day.

Good luck

Answer 2

Test strips in the closed container they came in, after opening, will be usable a little past the expiration date. If they are left exposed to the air and the environment is hot and humid, they will not last as long as the expiration date. If they freeze, they will not be useful.

If you are Type 2, you should test before eating in the morning and at first test 2-3 hours after eating to see if you are maintaining good control (using 70/30 insulin or glipizide or one of the other pills). There are new meters that will keep track of pre- and post-meal readings. If you are maintaining good control, you can just test after the last meal of the day to determine your sugar level before bed. You want to avoid going to bed with a very low blood sugar level. Eat enough complex carbos to keep your sugar level adequate through the night. That does not mean pig out on ice cream!

Answer 3

assuming you're talking about glucose testing strips, there's usually an expiration date on the package. But many people do not know that the expiration date refers to the unopened package. The shelf life for test strips is rather long, opened or not, so you shouldn't worry about them going out of date before you use them all. Testing frequency depends on how controlled your blood sugar is and on how your doctor sees fit. Always follow your doctors orders. Testing more frequently isn't necessarily bad, but testing less frequently is a huge no-no!

Answer 4

I agree with the very first answer. There should be an expiration date on the box of test strips. If it's past that date, call your physician to have him or her fill a new prescription for you and toss the old strips out.

As far as testing....do what your doctor advises. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Test strips last awhile expiration is on bottle and box. Type 1 diabetics insulin injections needed have to test every-time before they eat. Type 2 diabetics test before some meals and 2 hours after others. Your endocrinologist should advise you when to test and why.

Answer 6

the test strips normaly last 2 years but need to be stored away from sun light you should test 2-6 times a day ask your doc about how often because it is defrent for each person

Answer 7

Before every meal or every 2 hours so like 3-6 times a day

Answer 8

THERE IS AN EXPIRATION DATE ON EVERY BOX OF TEST STRIPS .
HOW OFTEN YOU TEST DEPENDS ON YOUR DOCTOR, AND HOW WELL CONTROLLED YOUR BS IS.