Maintaining stable blood glucose levels is crucial for individuals with diabetes or those following a ketogenic diet. Regular monitoring using a blood glucose meter is an essential part of this process. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of these monitoring systems, glucose control solutions play a vital role. This article delves into the purpose, composition, and usage of glucose control solutions, particularly in the context of the Keto-Mojo system, drawing from available information to provide a comprehensive understanding.
The Importance of Control Solutions in Glucose Monitoring
Checking your blood glucose monitoring system to make sure it is working properly can be done easily at home with glucose control solution. A glucose control solution test determines whether your meter and test strips are performing as expected by the manufacturer. It serves as a quality check on the blood glucose monitoring system.
Composition of Glucose Control Solution
Glucose control solution is a liquid made up of water, glucose, buffers, and microbicides. The solution has a known amount of glucose set by the manufacturer. Manufacturers often have a few options of control solution that are compatible with each brand of test strips. The different options, or “levels” - Level 1, Level 2, or Level 4 for example - have glucose ranges that are different from one another, typically corresponding with low, normal, or high glucose concentrations.
How Control Solutions Work
Your blood glucose monitoring system can detect the amount of glucose present in control solution in a similar way to how it detects the amount of glucose present in blood. A glucose control solution reading on your meter appears as a numerical value. This numerical value should fall within the range specified by the manufacturer, printed on the test strip vial. A range for control solution results - rather than a single number - is provided because no two tests will be exactly the same.
Using Glucose Control Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide
Glucose control solution tests are performed the same way as blood glucose tests. Here's how to perform a control solution test:
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- Dispense a second drop onto a hard, clean surface.
- Bring the test strip to the drop.
- Check the meter as it calculates and displays the test result.
Once you have the result from the glucose control solution test, compare the number shown on your meter to the range specified by the manufacturer, printed on the test strip vial. The number shown on the meter should fall within the range.
Factors Affecting Control Solution and Meter Accuracy
Temperature and humidity can affect the control solution and potentially alter the result of a control solution test. The accuracy of blood glucose meter readings can be affected by many factors unrelated to the meter’s functionality, such as environmental conditions, altitude, testing practices, and damaged or expired test strips. Something as simple as testing with unwashed hands or from an insufficient blood drop can throw off your entire test.
Limitations of Control Solution Tests
While it is tempting to use the results of a control solution test to find out if your meter is reading high or low and by how much, the properties that make blood and control solution different prevent this from being a reliable way to check the accuracy of a glucose meter. Instead, it gives you an indication as to whether your meter and test strips are working properly. Comparing test results from two different meters is not recommended due to the variances in meter technology from one brand to another. These tests are not a method for calibrating your meter, but rather a useful tool to check the performance of your meter and test strips.
When to Use Control Solution
Checking your blood glucose monitoring system using control solution is important anytime you or your doctor believes there could be damage to your meter or test strips, or concerns about the performance of your system. Using control solution, you can easily check that your blood glucose meter and test strips are working properly.
Storage and Compatibility
Most control solution for glucose meters lasts 90 days from the date that the bottle is first opened. However, some manufacturers make their control solution to last longer. After each use, be sure to re-cap the control solution bottle, forming a tight seal. You can also check with your local pharmacy to see if they have available stock of the control solution that is compatible with your glucose meter. Control solution for glucose meters is made specific to each brand and type of test strip; there is no universal or generic brand.
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Alternative Blood Glucose Monitoring Kits
There are alternative blood glucose monitoring kits available on the market, such as the ijCare Kit.
The ijCare Kit includes:
- ISO Standardized Oh’Care Lite Meter
- Control Solution
- 110x Strips with latest biosensor technology
- 125x Lancets
- Lancing Device
- Deluxe Case
- Logbook and Instructions
The Oh’Care Lite Meter is Auto-Coding, so select only affordable Oh’Care Lite Strips when it’s time to refill. The reusable Lancet Device has five (5) depth settings, and the diabetic monitoring kit also comes with 125x HurtLess Lancets. As soon as your blood sugar monitoring kit arrives, test it using the Control Solution and complete the 3-Year Meter Warranty.
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