Glucose test strips are specially treated strips that are used to determine the amount of glucose in blood or urine.
Glucose test strips are used by diabetics, doctors, hospitals, and veterinarian offices.
Glucose test strips can determine the amount of glucose in a diabetic’s blood by the use of glucose monitors. Glucose monitors have become a fast and convenient way for diabetics to check their glucose and offer diabetics a digital glucose level reading.
Most glucose monitors also include a lancet that pricks the diabetic’s finger, palm, forearm, upper arm, or thigh. Once blood has been extracted onto the glucose test strip the monitor automatically reads the glucose level and displays it on the digital screen. This type of glucose test strip is most often used by diabetics for personal daily checks.
Urine glucose test strips can also be used to indicate glucose levels and they are primarily used by hospitals and doctors clinics as a first step in indicating serious health problems, one common use is the testing of the urine of a pregnant woman at each prenatal visit. Urine glucose test strips are also routinely used to evaluate glucose levels in animals by vets as well as pet owners.
Glucose test strips that read glucose levels in the blood can come in non monitor form and are primarily used by diabetics for personal daily checks. They work by a drop of blood being taken from a diabetic, usually from their finger and being placed on a glucose test strip. The blood then reacts with a special chemical coating on the strip to produce a color coded glucose level result.
Glucose test strips are a standard part of a paramedic’s medical bag and can also be found in supply cabinets on most ambulances. Glucose levels are often tested right away to help determine the problem at hand.