Out of date test strips

[Jodee]

Just a query and grateful for peoples views on this.

I have blood glucose test strips which indicates do not use after expiry which is marked as 2021-12 he he
but the bottle is still sealed. I would hate to chuck it, but do you think it would give an inaccurate reading?
I am thinking of trying tomorrow.

it says control solution range is Level 2 then beneath that mmol/L range 6.8~9.1 which I find is odd and unsure it that means
the strips only ever would test between 6.8 and 9.1 mmol.

Any hoo, interested in your thoughts.

With thanks

Off to dentist now wish me luck, but will check in later.

Have a great day all

 

[harbottle]

I had some out of date test strips for my Gluco Navii and the readings it gave were... not good. They'd also been kept in the glove compartment of a car as well. I think they have readings > 10 when my usual Contour strips were giving normal readings.

There's an enzymes in the strip that degrades over time and are affected by external factors like heat and humidity.

 

[rebrascora]

it says control solution range is Level 2 then beneath that mmol/L range 6.8~9.1 which I find is odd and unsure it that means

This means that if you use Control solution Level 2 to check the test strips it should give a reading between 6.8 and 9.1 Do you have the appropriate control solution to test with one or two of the out of date strips to see if they give a result in that range? If so, then they are likely OK but as always, double check anything which gives a reading contrary to how you feel or you are suspicious of. I would certainly use out of date strips if they were giving readings compatible with "in date" strips or a test/control solution, but I wouldn't just blindly use them hoping for the best.

 

[Sally71]

If they were only just out of date I’d probably risk it, but not after four years! There are chemicals on the tip which degrade over time, it’s the same with medicines and stuff, they don’t stay fresh forever. And you need to be able to trust the reading!

 

[Jodee]

I had some out of date test strips for my Gluco Navii and the readings it gave were... not good. They'd also been kept in the glove compartment of a car as well. I think they have readings > 10 when my usual Contour strips were giving normal readings.

There's an enzymes in the strip that degrades over time and are affected by external factors like heat and humidity.

thank HB these have been stored in a cool room tamper seal still in tact.

 

[Jodee]

This means that if you use Control solution Level 2 to check the test strips it should give a reading between 6.8 and 9.1 Do you have the appropriate control solution to test with one or two of the out of date strips to see if they give a result in that range? If so, then they are likely OK but as always, double check anything which gives a reading contrary to how you feel or you are suspicious of. I would certainly use out of date strips if they were giving readings compatible with "in date" strips or a test/control solution, but I wouldn't just blindly use them hoping for the best.

thanks rebrascora, I think the original device came with a solution but lord knows if I still have that, probably not. I just stick the strip in the device. I shall break the seal on the strips and see what it reads and also order some in date test strips.

 

[Jodee]

If they were only just out of date I’d probably risk it, but not after four years! There are chemicals on the tip which degrade over time, it’s the same with medicines and stuff, they don’t stay fresh forever. And you need to be able to trust the reading!

thanks Sally - noted 🙂

 

[grovesy]

The control solution only has li item shelf life too!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

The control solution only has li item shelf life too!

Yes I was thinking that. I think that’s the reason they don’t often ship meters with control solution these days - by the time you came to need it, it would probably have run out of date!

 

[JimG]

I'm very wary of any medicines that are past their use by date. The active ingredients degrade. I have an annual run through the medicine cabinet to remove out of date items. I did not used to do this but, after using some out of date after sun I had lots of blisters on my arms, and adopted the policy of removal.

 

[Lauren]

I tried to use out of date test strips on a contour machine years ago and the machine wouldn't accept them. (I think it was a contour machine but may not have been.)
I personally wouldn't do it but I'd be interested in whether the machine would accept them.

 

[Lucyr]

I have blood glucose test strips which indicates do not use after expiry which is marked as 2021-12 he he
but the bottle is still sealed. I would hate to chuck it, but do you think it would give an inaccurate reading?

It says do not use them for a reason. I’d bin them.

 

[Jodee]

Thanks everyone, I did use the out of date test strip this morning, it may or may not be accurate my blood glucose level was 6.7 mmol

My machine and test strips are / were issued on prescription, back when first diagnosed and who knows if the device is still operating accurately. Any way the machine is a Nexus mini ultra. And the test also Nexus.

I have requested new test strips but this is a new Surgery and I note they were not on a repeat prescription, so we will see.

How long do the finger prick devices stay accurate for does anyone know?

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks everyone, I did use the out of date test strip this morning, it may or may not be accurate my blood glucose level was 6.7 mmol

My machine and test strips are / were issued on prescription, back when first diagnosed and who knows if the device is still operating accurately. Any way the machine is a Nexus mini ultra. And the test also Nexus.

I have requested new test strips but this is a new Surgery and I note they were not on a repeat prescription, so we will see.

How long do the finger prick devices stay accurate for does anyone know?

Mine is 10 years old and I he no reason to believe it is not accurate