An important part of Diabetes Glucose Testing is rarely spoken about: Control Solution Testing. One way to ensure your meter is working correctly is to Control Solution test regularly. Control Solution is precisely measured sugar water. Since they know the glucose level of the Control Solution, the meter should give an accurate result if it's working correctly. 

When to run a Control Solution Test:

A. Once a month

B. After changing your meter's battery

C. If the meter drops on the floor or you think it may be damaged.

D. If you suspect the meter is not working correctly.

How to run a Control Solution Test:

A. Items needed

1. Fresh vial of Control Solution for your meter.

a. Control Solution has an "Unopened" expiration date. The Control Solution is good until that date as long as the vial has never been opened.

b. After opening the vial of Control Solution, it should be discarded after 90 days.

2. Your can of testing strips.

3. One Test Strip

4. Your meter.

B. Things to check for

1. Control Solution Level

a. Most will say: Hi or Low, Level I or Level II

2. Normal Parameters printed on the side of the can of strips.

C. Process

1. Wash your hands.

2. Prepare your meter and strip for testing as you normally do before testing your blood.

3. Apply a drop of Control Solution to the strip INSTEAD OF a drop of blood.

4. Run the test with only the Control Solution.

5. Compare the results against the parameters printed on the can for this level. 

a. If your Control Solution level is HI, compare it to the HI parameters on the can.

1. You only need to test with one level Control Solution.

b. If your Control Solution results fall in between the parameters on the can, your meter is working correctly.

c. If your Control Solution results fall outside the parameters on the can, there may be a problem with your meter or test strips.

1. Do not use your meter until you speak with the Manufacturer.

2. Call the manufacturer's Customer Service phone number printed on the back of the meter or can of strips.

a. Be prepared to give them the test strips' Expiration date, lot number and Control Solution test results.

b. They will help troubleshoot and offer advice for correcting whatever problem they may find.

Click this link to find Control Solutions on Diabetesstore.com Diabetes Store