-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Washed Test Strips
- Thread starter Andy HB
- Start date
- Status
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Reuse is always worth a try, rather than believing manufacturers, even if in this case it didn't work. Why do you think manufacturers tell people to change lancets and pen needles every time?!?
I've been working on not over-estimating the amount of mustard I will use - Mr Coleman of Norwich claims to have become rich due to the mustard people left on the sides of their plates, not what they ate. Pubs are often very generous in bringing out a small pot of dispensed mustard, but I bet the remainder is thrown away.
I've been working on not over-estimating the amount of mustard I will use - Mr Coleman of Norwich claims to have become rich due to the mustard people left on the sides of their plates, not what they ate. Pubs are often very generous in bringing out a small pot of dispensed mustard, but I bet the remainder is thrown away.
mcdonagh47
Banned
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Many moons ago I wondered whether it was possible to wash test strips and reuse them.
Well, today I finally had a go and ..... (drum roll) ......
Got an error E-3 on my Bayer Contour.
So, that wraps that up then!
Andy
How is the E-3 message described in the handbook ?
Try a used strip without washing it ? 😉
Well, it seems the meter can sense a used test strip when it sees it. There is either some electronic switch being set on the strip or it can detect the depletion of the chemicals on the testing area of it.
Andy 🙂
Vicsetter
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
? Most sensors use an enzyme called glucose oxidase (GO)
? Most sensors are constructed on electrodes, and use a
mediator to carry electrons from GO to electrode.
i.e. you test strip works by measuring the current conducted across 2 electrodes. The amount of current passed is dependent on the electrochemical reaction of a small amount of material between the electrodes to the glucose in the blood. Once the blood sample has touched the material the reaction starts and cannot be repeated. There is obviously some clever electronics going on here to code the strip to the meter (some are automatic). It also explains why once you've applied the blood sample, if you don't get enough in the strip to fill the window you get an error and cannot add more to complete the test.
? Most sensors are constructed on electrodes, and use a
mediator to carry electrons from GO to electrode.
i.e. you test strip works by measuring the current conducted across 2 electrodes. The amount of current passed is dependent on the electrochemical reaction of a small amount of material between the electrodes to the glucose in the blood. Once the blood sample has touched the material the reaction starts and cannot be repeated. There is obviously some clever electronics going on here to code the strip to the meter (some are automatic). It also explains why once you've applied the blood sample, if you don't get enough in the strip to fill the window you get an error and cannot add more to complete the test.
AnnW
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I've often wondered why that happens, thanks !
Steff
Little Miss Chatterbox
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
lol. Your a quick learner.
- Status