The easiest way to ensure whether the blood glucose monitoring system is working appropriately or not is by using the glucose control solution. You can check the blood glucose monitoring system at home by using this control solution. The glucose control solution is the perfect alternative to the finger stick.
The testing of the control solution is the same as checking the blood samples. Nevertheless, the properties of the control solution are different, and the results are used for multiple purposes. Here, the manufacturer decides the amount of the control solution of the particular glucometer.
In a nutshell, the glucose control solution checks whether the test strips and glucometer reads the samples correctly and delivers accurate results.
But, how to use control solution for glucose meter? In today’s post, we’ll explain the control solution for the glucose meter and how to use it for testing purposes. Let’s get started.
A Brief Overview Of The Control Solution For Glucose Meter
Before you start searching about how to use control solution for glucose meter, you should be well aware of this solution. The glucose control solution is a fluid composed of microbicides, water, glucose, and buffers. They are the key ingredients necessary for making the glucose control solution. The glucose control solution provides the reading on the glucometer in the numerical value. There is a target range set by the manufacturer, which is printed on the test strips. The numerical value result should fall within this target range. The value is entirely based on the glucose concentration present in the control solution. The test strips of each brand are different; thus, you’ll find a variety in the control solutions. The control solutions are categorized into ‘Level 1’, ‘Level 2’ ‘Level 3’ and ‘Level 4.’ The glucose ranges of all these levels are different from each other.
In simpler words, you need to purchase the test solution according to your preferred test strips. To ease the purchasing process, it’s better to purchase the combo of test strips and control solutions from one manufacturer only.
How Often Should You Do The Glucose Control Solution Test?
Many people often find the answers for how to use a control solution for glucose meters, but they don’t know when to conduct these tests. You should conduct the glucose control solution tests multiple times depending on different situations. Below are the circumstances where the glucose control solution is recommended.
- You doubt that your strips or the meter aren’t functioning correctly.
- You realize drastic changes in your test results. Your test results are either too high or low, but you’re not feeling any physical changes.
- The test strip is either expired or damaged.
- Your meter and the test strips are exposed to direct sunlight.
- Your doctor is asking you to conduct the glucose control solution test
Apart from these circumstances, the glucose control solution test’s objective is to ensure whether the test strips and the glucose meter are working appropriately or not.
How Can You Perform The Control Solution Test?
Without further ado, here is the answer to how to use a control solution for a glucose meter. The way of performing the blood glucose tests and glucose control solutions tests are the same. The control solution test isn’t for checking the meter’s calibration but helps check the overall performance of the glucometer and test strips. You should often keep performing the control solution test for evaluating the performance of the test strips and glucose meter.
Below are the steps of using the glucose control solution in the test appropriately.
- Take a new test strip and insert it into the glucose meter and check whether the meter is working.
- Before using the control solution, shake the bottle slowly.
- You have to discard the first 2-3 drops of the solution and clean the bottle tip.
- Now, release one drop of the control solution on a clean and flat surface. Put the test strip on that drop. You need to wait until the test strip has absorbed the entire control solution.
- You should check the meter because it will calculate and show the results. Now, match the final results with the range mentioned on the test strips.
- Once your testing procedure is over, discard the used test strips.
How To Know Whether The Glucose Solution Test Is Successful Or Not?
You need to compare the final test results with the range mentioned on the test strips vial by the manufacturer. The numerical value derived in the results should fall within the range mentioned in the test strip vial. You should understand that the test range mentioned by the manufacturer isn’t appropriate, but it is highly accurate. If you find that test results don’t fall within the range, you should knock on the manufacturer’s doors directly. You should ask whether some troubleshooting or replacement of the glucose meter is required.
What Is The Shell Life Of The Glucose Control Solution?
As per manufacturers, the glucose control solutions last for 90 days after the first use. Nevertheless, many manufacturers follow some practices to make the glucose control solutions last longer for like 4-5 months.
Whenever you purchase the bottle of the control solution, check the expiry date. The expiry date should be a minimum of 90 days from the date you purchase. Never use the expired glucose control solution.
After each use, re-cap the control solution bottle tightly. You need to ensure the bottle’s cap isn’t loose; otherwise, the air will affect the quality of the control solution.
Don’t expose the control solution bottle directly to the sunlight or humidity. The storage conditions are already mentioned on the control solution bottle; please follow them.
Final Thoughts
It’s imperative to do the glucose control solution test because you and your doctor primarily rely on the glucose meter results. However, this test cannot determine the accuracy level of the glucose meter but can ensure whether the system is working appropriately.
Total diabetes supply has mentioned easy steps to perform the glucose control solution test. Subsequently, when you’re shopping for diabetes testing supplies, also add a fresh bottle of glucose control solution to your shopping cart.