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How do you order/keep in date blood ketone strips?

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Flower

Flower

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Just checked a dual glucose/ketone meter I was given at the pump clinic a few months back for ketone testing but the strips that come with it are only for glucose.

My old meter that I used to occasionally get ketone strips for needed replacing and on my prescription request form the ketone strips have been removed. Just rang and asked can some be added for the new meter just in case I get ill.

Previously my ketone strips kept disappearing off my prescription as I rarely ordered any. I was told it was due to short shelf life of the strips.

Do you have ketone strips that stay on your prescription form or do they disappear? Do you order regularly so you have some in case of illness?

Just checking my back up plan and supplies. Ketone strips which I know are vital when unwell have dropped off my radar . I will get it sorted.
 
I have the Freestyle Optium ketone strips as when I was released from hospital after diagnosis it was the Optium Neo meter I was prescribed, they have stayed on my prescription, they also work in the Libre, and I have a couple of boxes always in stock and reorder when 1 is close to the expiry date, I do notice some are longer dated than others though xx
 
Yes it's a tough one isn’t it, you need some in stock in case you have a tummy bug or cannula problems with your pump and so on, but you don't want to overstock because they have a short shelf life and cost a lot more than glucose strips so you don't want to be chucking them away when they go out of date! But when you do need them you probably need several at once!

I usually try to keep one opened box and one full one, and re-order either when the full box gets opened or they are nearing their use by date. Luckily this seems to be enough for us. It also seems to be the only thing which our GP practice has put a restriction on, they will only let us have one box of 10 every 3 months. Which so far hasn't been an issue, but if it ever was then I wouldn’t hesitate to go in and argue about it!
 
I have Freestyle Libre ketone strips on my prescription which have always stayed on there. In fact, I just checked and I haven't actually ordered any since I moved here nearly two years ago 😱 I'm guessing that probably means that the ones I have in my cabinet are out of date 😱 As far as I am aware there are no restrictions for me, except only being able to reorder once a month. The only time I have actually needed them was in 2012 when I got very ill - back then I found that out-of-date strips worked fine (possibly helped by the fact that they are individually foil-wrapped). 10 strips don't last long when you are very ill! 😱

I don't think they have a particularly short shelf life.

ETA - Just looked and they appear to have at least a year shelf life (my last box expired in July 2018, ordered them in April 2017)
 
Thanks 🙂 When you need them you really need them right now but need to order in advance, keep them in date and argue the case for them being kept on prescription.

I'm awaiting a call back as to whether they can be prescribed and will argue the toss if the need is questioned. I'll buy some online so I have some just in case.
 
My consultant won’t support me having blood ketone sticks so I have to buy them myself. I’ve got two packs at the moment just in case I get this virus, but I do also have urine ketone strips as a back up.
 
AJLang said:
My consultant won’t support me having blood ketone sticks so I have to buy them myself. I’ve got two packs at the moment just in case I get this virus, but I do also have urine ketone strips as a back up.
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Where's the logic in that? I know they are expensive and possibly won't be used, but it would cost an awful lot more if you needed to be admitted :( I found them extremely useful when I had to use them, as they showed me how my body was responding to the tiny amounts of carbs I was able to ingest.
 
I don’t know Alan. When I last asked two years ago I was so surprised when she said no that I didn’t push it. I forgot to ask this time but the new pharmacist at my GP surgery is trying to reduce some of my other prescriptions because of cost - he’s failed but it is something that I’m wary of. I’m choosing when to pick my battles. I know it shouldn’t be like that but that’s the way it is.
 
I have never had even glucose strips that have much more than a years shelf life.
 
Just had a look, I never in my life tested for ketones before I broke my kneecap a few years ago or had the means to do so really - aware of them, just not really had the need. I still have the Freestyle Neo the hospital gave me and the ketone test strips of which I used half a box. The other box and a half are still there, expiry date July 2018.

I always have a good supply of blood testing strips. 6 boxes in 'supplies' cupboard right now - two to be used next expire July 20, 4 behind them expire June 21.

I check all the dates as I unpack them from the pharmacy and even though I may have ordered and collected them this week, sometimes the expiry dates are nearer the current date than those I got a month ago - always always arrange em in order of I need to use them so when I need a new tub, can just automatically reach for the nearest on the shelf. Must look batty when they're all out on the worksurface below the cupboard and I appear to be sorting through them - but I don't do it for fun! Once bitten twice shy...…...
 
I requested blood ketone strips after being very unwell, and consultant suggesting this would be better than the urine test sticks.

I agreed with my GP that for mild illness I would still use the urine test strips which are very cheap. These are 6 months once open so I just write the discard date on the tub when I open them.

I now have some blood ketone stirs for my Libre for serious illness. I have never used them yet, but did have to order some more as my old ones were out of date and we were going away for a few weeks abroad. They are not on my repeat, I just ask for them as necessary.
 
Well despite mine being ancient, if I did happen to get the Dreaded Lurgy (God forbid) I think I'd use them if my BG monitor suggests I ought to.
 
I got a call this pm and have a prescription for a box of ketone strips which I'm pleased about. I hope I won't have to use them but having had pneumonia a few years back and being so ill I'd like to be able to check for blood ketones if things are getting out of control.
 
Spose I ought to check and see it the meter works - have to read the book to see how to change the battery should it need one! LOL And also to check what it's sposed to say if you haven't got any.
 
trophywench said:
Spose I ought to check and see it the meter works - have to read the book to see how to change the battery should it need one! LOL And also to check what it's sposed to say if you haven't got any.
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I asked about would they work as I had a problem with a One Touch Meter many years ago, and when I rang their help line the expire date was one of the first questions they asked. The problem they said could have been the strips had been compromised somewhere in the supply chain. They sent me a new meter and pot of strips and I had to return the old one for them to look at.
 
I don’t generally produce much in the way of ketones, so I’m happy to fall back on urine strips. It’s a huge waste, of course, because a pot of 50 strips apparently needs to be used within 6 months once you’ve opened it (regardless of the expiry on the box)... so I only ever use one or two strips from a pot.

Though the cost is the same as using 2x blood strips (£2.50 each)
 
Flower said:
I’ve been prescribed 2 x 10 strips expiry 05/21. I hope I don’t need them but the speed blood ketones increased with pneumonia was terrifying. I wouldn’t normally be fussed but in the present situation I’m glad to have some strips in my emergency box.
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Glad you are now sorted, and well prepared.
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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