Do testing strips have an expiry date

[rustee2011]

Hi All,
I discovered on my fridge an unopened Abbots Care freestlye blood glucose meter. I recall I got it in 2012/ or 2013 but never used it. Can I still use the strips. or should I purchase new ones instead.

 

[Kaylz]

Why did you have a meter stored in the fridge? Yes strips have an expiry date and should be printed somewhere on the packaging x

 

[rustee2011]

Answered my own question. via diabetes.co.uk - I better get some new one

 

[rustee2011]

It was on top of the fridge. I was going to use it, however my doctor at the time advised against it saying. I am not at that stage as I am only on metformin. However, I want to start, as knowledge is power. I better purchase some new ones

 

[Northerner]

It was on top of the fridge. I was going to use it, however my doctor at the time advised against it saying. I am not at that stage as I am only on metformin. However, I want to start, as knowledge is power. I better purchase some new ones

Hi Rustee, if you're paying for the strips yourself then I'd suggest getting the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50 - the Abbott Freestyle strips will cost you around £30 on the High Street 😱

 

[rustee2011]

Wow...what a jolt in price - thanks for that. I probably should have started using these eons ago.

 

[Northerner]

Wow...what a jolt in price - thanks for that. I probably should have started using these eons ago.

When you get your meter and strips I'd recommend reading Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S - it's a guide to testing efficiently and effectively 🙂

 

[Bryan Osborne]

Yup there is an expiry date and you need to be careful of the storage temperatures both hot OR cold. I have just returned from Lanzarote and had my test kit in my beach bag. I am T2 but paranoid lol!

Tested at 1pm and the reading was 14.1 nearly had a heart attack.. Bag had been an hour or so at 31 Centigrade.