Cheaper test strips and lancets

[Big Mak]

My cost per blood glucose test (price/number of lancets and strips) is 21p. Does anyone know cheaper source of lancets and strips compatible with Safe AQ machine?

 

[Docb]

When it comes to strips, they are specific to the machine so you can only use "Safe AQ" strips and they will cost what they cost.

Any lancet will do. Cannot advise on cheapest because I get mine on prescription but I am sure somebody will be along with recommendations.

 

[helli]

One way to reduce the cost of lancets per use it to reuse them.
I was advised to change mine after two pricks but I tend to replace mine after 3 or 4 finger pricks but I know some people use their's for longer.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome

I am another one of the naughty ones who reuses my lancets multiple times.... We have a standing joke on the forum that they get changed once a year on St Swithin's day, but I usually change mine on New Year's day as well!

If the test strips for your current meter are too expensive, it is usually worth buying a meter with cheaper test strips than continuing with the expensive ones. The two meters recommended as being most economical and reliable to self fund here on the forum are the SD Gluco Navii and the Spirit healthcare Tee2. Additional pots of test strips are £8 for a pot of 50 so 16pence per strip which probably isn't much of a saving on what you are paying now. They do sometimes do special offers on bulk purchase I believe. As has been said, they are individual to the meter so not interchangeable.

 

[adrian1der]

Like @rebrascora I use my lancet multiple times Once it starts to hurt it's time to change but if it is OK and getting blood out then I'm fine with it

 

[Paulbreen]

Hi and welcome

I am another one of the naughty ones who reuses my lancets multiple times.... We have a standing joke on the forum that they get changed once a year on St Swithin's day, but I usually change mine on New Year's day as well!

If the test strips for your current meter are too expensive, it is usually worth buying a meter with cheaper test strips than continuing with the expensive ones. The two meters recommended as being most economical and reliable to self fund here on the forum are the SD Gluco Navii and the Spirit healthcare Tee2. Additional pots of test strips are £8 for a pot of 50 so 16pence per strip which probably isn't much of a saving on what you are paying now. They do sometimes do special offers on bulk purchase I believe. As has been said, they are individual to the meter so not interchangeable.

Like you Barbara I reuse the lancets, I normally change one when it doesn’t prick my finger anymore... current one is about 3 months old lol

 

[Ralph-YK]

SD Gluco Navii

test strips are £8 for a pot of 50 so 16pence per strip

That could be the replacement model for the one I use (SD Code Free). The strips for this are also £8 for 50. I get my strips off Amazon, no postage to pay. So that's £8 total. You can also get packs of 100 for around £14 (£7 per 50); which is slightly cheaper.

 

[Big Mak]

Thank you all.
I think I am destined to go the naughty route, but before I do:
Do we have any scientific info on what a non-sterile Lancet can do to my health.
Is there any good practices on keeping lancets "clean" for reuse, e.g. sticking the back into the plastic guard?
i don't believe in just praying to St Swithun, rather pay and take some action.

 

[rebrascora]

The way I look at it is that I work outdoors a lot and cut my hands on all sorts of stuff that is not clean and sterile and my hands are usually dirty at the time and I don't get infections. I therefore don't see a trace of my own blood on the end of a retracted lancet in a lancing device which is kept in a clean case, as being a major threat to my health and so far doing as many as 10 tests a day over 6 months with the same lancet I haven't had an infection in my finger ends, so I reckon, either I have a very good immune system.... probably too good since it got me into this diabetes mess in the first place(I'm Type 1).... or the risk is extremely low as to be negligible from reusing a lancet. That is just my risk assessment for me and my circumstances. We all have to weigh up what we are happy with.

 

[Ljc]

I just keep my used lancet available for use in the lancing devise. I don’t try to put the cover back on as it won’t stay on and if it did , it wouldn’t fit in the lancing devise. Personally I believe it’s best to keep the used lancet in the lancing devise as it’s likely to stay cleaner that way.

I’ve reused lancets for many years and it’s never caused an infection.

 

[trophywench]

Well I've only been doing it for 49 years so far but do have to say I must have overused the thumb side of both middle fingers as I can no longer get blood out of either. I use a Fastclix device on the setting of 1, and just turn the lancet onto the next one when the one in use blunts - I know this when it hurts! err, every 2-3 days probably. So many in a box, prob about time I ordered a new one. Just have a look - oh yeah - date of last dispensed box August 2018 !! That was a mistake though, as I ordered a double 'repeat' prescription just before a long holiday in France (for the drugs and insulin I'd need) hence didn't need the extra box of lancets whatsoever, at that time.

Think I'll wait till I get my new pump (which will be in January now at the earliest) and see if the matching meter/handset still needs the same lancets before ordering another box.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I reuse lancets until I go “Ow!”

the most affordable meters members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50