Glucose test strips are a fundamental tool for individuals managing diabetes, allowing them to regularly monitor their blood glucose levels. These small strips provide rapid readings that guide daily decisions about diet, medication, and activity. A common question is whether these tools expire, and they do. Understanding the reasons behind their expiration and the implications of using them past their date is important for maintaining effective diabetes management.
Understanding Why Test Strips Expire
Glucose test strips contain specific chemicals and enzymes, primarily glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase, which react with the glucose in a blood sample. This chemical reaction generates an electrical current that the glucose meter then interprets to display a blood sugar reading. These enzymes are susceptible to degradation over time.
Exposure to environmental factors such as air, moisture, and temperature fluctuations can accelerate this degradation process. Humidity and extreme temperatures can compromise the stability and activity of these enzymes. Manufacturers establish expiration dates based on extensive stability testing to guarantee the strips provide accurate results throughout their stated shelf life.
Consequences of Using Expired Strips
Using expired glucose test strips can lead to inaccurate blood sugar readings, which poses risks to diabetes management. These readings can be either falsely high or falsely low, making it difficult to determine actual glucose levels. Such inaccuracies can result in inappropriate treatment decisions, such as taking an incorrect insulin dose or adjusting dietary intake based on misleading information.
Relying on false readings can lead to health complications. For instance, a falsely low reading might cause someone to take less insulin than needed, potentially leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Conversely, a falsely high reading could prompt too much insulin, risking hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can lead to medical emergencies, including diabetic ketoacidosis or loss of consciousness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against using expired test strips due to these dangers.
How to Store Test Strips Properly
Proper storage of glucose test strips is important for maintaining their accuracy and effectiveness until their expiration date. Keep test strips in their original, tightly sealed vial. This helps protect the enzymes from exposure to air and moisture, which can cause them to degrade prematurely.
Test strips should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. An ideal storage temperature is around 25°C (77°F), with an acceptable range between 4°C to 30°C (39°F to 86°F). Avoid storing them in bathrooms or other humid environments, as excess moisture can damage the strips. Additionally, check the expiration date on the vial and discard any strips that have passed this date or have been open beyond the manufacturer’s recommended period, typically three to six months.