When you buy a new glucometer, a specific diabetic test strip must be used to conduct your blood glucose Diabetes test. These diabetic test strips are made by the same brand-name manufacturer as the blood glucose monitor, ensuring a perfect fit and very precise Diabetes test results. However, these may be expensive. That's why alternative diabetic test strips have cropped up, providing more options to those with Diabetes. To maintain a healthy blood sugar level, it's important to use diabetic testing supplies that are trustworthy and consistent. So whether you choose name-brand or alternative diabetic test strips, make sure you are using a trusted distributor of diabetic testing supplies. Below, discover more information about the different diabetic test strips which can be used in diabetes testing to check blood glucose levels.

Types of Diabetic Test Strips Used to Monitor Blood Glucose and Manage Diabetes

• Brand-Name Diabetic Test Strips: Diabetic testing suppliers manufacture diabetic test strips to function in their own blood glucose monitors. These may only be available through medical facilities or mail-order; they may also be expensive. They will not work with other name-brand monitors; often, they will not even work with other monitors by the same brand.
• Alternative Diabetic Test Strips: Medical supply manufacturers strive to replicate diabetic test strips that will complement multiple monitors, so that Diabetes patients have more affordable and attainable options. According to a study published by the American Diabetes Association, alternative diabetic test strips can be used to accurately measure healthy blood sugar levels, albeit with less precision than their name-brand counterparts. They are just as safe to use as brand name diabetic test strips to monitor your blood sugar levels.
• Non-Handle Diabetic Test Strips: Many diabetic patients prefer not to handle test strips. To minimize or eliminate test strip handling, several diabetes test strip manufacturers have designed blood glucose test meters which store a drum or cartridge of diabetic test strips. This drum distributes test strips every time the monitor is activated for testing, and needs to be replaced less frequently than individual strips (which can only be used once). To learn which Diabetes blood glucose test meters can operate with minimal handling, please see this comparison chart.