For people living with type 2 diabetes, checking blood sugar (glucose) levels may be an important part of managing their health. Some people do this by using diabetes test strips with a glucose meter. But how accurate are they? How much do they cost? Are there easier options out there than pricking your finger?

Here’s everything you need to know about blood glucose test strips, including tips for saving money and other technologies you may consider while living with type 2 diabetes.

Who Needs To Monitor Their Blood Sugar?

Not everyone living with type 2 diabetes needs to monitor their blood sugar at home. Monitoring is mostly needed for those who take medications that lower their blood glucose, including:

• Insulin
• Meglitinides
• Sulfonylureas

In some cases, your doctor may also ask you to monitor your blood sugar. For example, you might need to check your blood glucose if you:

• Are pregnant
• Have low blood glucose
• Have trouble managing your diabetes
• Have complications of diabetes
• Have just been diagnosed with diabetes

If your doctor wants you to measure your blood glucose at home, it’s important to know how to do it correctly and what to do with the information it gives you.

How Diabetes Test Strips Work

Diabetes test strips are small pieces of plastic that measure the amount of glucose in your blood. When you prick your fingertip with a small needle called a lancet, you place a drop of blood on the strip. The strip contains chemicals that interact with the sugar in your blood sample, creating an electric current that a blood glucose meter (glucometer) reads. Within seconds, the glucometer gives you a number: your blood sugar level.

When To Check Blood Glucose

If you’re taking insulin, the number of times you’ll need to check your blood glucose depends on the type of insulin you’re taking.

• If you’re using long- or intermediate-acting insulin, you may only need to test in the morning and at night.
• If you’re taking short-acting insulin, you should generally test before meals and at bedtime.
• If you’re sick, you may need to test more often.

If you’re not taking insulin or sulfonylurea and your morning glucose levels are in range but your A1c level is higher than expected, it could mean that your blood sugar level spikes after eating. In this case, your doctor can ask you to check your blood sugar two hours after eating.

Normal Blood Glucose

What’s a normal blood glucose level? That depends on when you’ve tested your blood sugar — before versus after a meal. Before a meal, a normal blood glucose level is between 80 to 130 mg/dL.

Types of Glucose Test Strips

There are many brands of test strips out there, but they all do the same thing — measure the amount of sugar in your blood. Common brands of glucose test strips include:

• FreeStyle
• Accu-Chek
• OneTouch Ultra
• Contour Next
• Easy@Home
• Store brands, such as CVS Health, Walmart, and Walgreens

The most important factors when picking a brand of test strips include selecting the kind that is covered by your health insurance and that works with your glucometer.

Factors That Affect the Accuracy of Test Strips

Accurate blood sugar readings are important to safely treat diabetes. If your blood sugar test readings are wrong, you may take too much insulin or miss signs of high or low blood sugar. Unfortunately, several factors can make glucose test strips inaccurate:

• If your test strips are not kept in a cool, dry place, they may not work properly.
• If you use old strips that are expired, their results are not always reliable.
• If you don’t use enough blood, your glucose level may be inaccurate.
• If you don’t wash your hands, dirt or other substances can alter your results.
• If your monitor is more than five years old or is low on battery, it may malfunction.

Double-check the storage conditions and expiration date of your test strips if your results seem unusual. Feel free to test again if you’re unsure of your results. Don’t be afraid to contact your doctor for their recommendations for ensuring that your monitor is working properly.

Why Accurate Readings Matter

Managing diabetes is all about balance. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) carry serious health risks. Inaccurate test results may hide warning signs of these problems. They may also cause unnecessary changes to your daily management.

Over time, incorrect blood glucose readings can lead to worsening diabetes. This can put you at risk for other chronic conditions, like heart disease, nerve damage, or vision problems. That’s why it’s important to trust the numbers that you see.

Cost of Diabetes Test Strips

Managing diabetes can be costly, not only to your health but also to your wallet.

The price of diabetes test strips in the United States can vary depending on where you live and where you buy them. On average, they can cost between 40 cents to 70 cents per strip. This adds up quickly, especially if your doctor wants you to test multiple times per day.

Here are some ways to reduce the financial impact of testing strips:

• Buy generic brands or find brands on sale
• Use your insurance whenever possible
• Buy in bulk to lower the cost per strip
• Look into online discount pharmacies
• Seek out patient assistance programs
• Receive care at community health clinics that offer free or low-cost supplies

Having diabetes shouldn’t break the bank. However, it may take some creativity to get essential diabetes supplies, like glucose test strips, at an affordable price.

Alternatives to Test Strips

While fingerstick testing with strips is still a common way to monitor blood sugar, some new options are becoming more popular.

Continuous Glucose Monitors

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a device that you wear on your body that measures your blood glucose constantly and uploads your readings into a device or your phone. Not only does this reduce the need for finger stick tests, but it keeps your readings organized and easy to share with your doctor at your next appointment. It will even send you real-time alerts when your blood sugar is too high or low. In scientific studies, CGMs have been shown to be more effective than finger pricks for managing type 2 diabetes in the long term.

What are the downsides to CGMs? Without insurance coverage, they can be very expensive. The sensors must be replaced every 7 to 14 days, rotating spots around your body. Some people may find the adhesive uncomfortable or irritating to their skin. Others may not want it to be visible on their body, as it signifies that they’re living with diabetes.

All in all, CGMs can be a game changer for people who need tighter and more convenient blood sugar control. Speak with your doctor to learn more about CGMs and how they could fit into your diabetes care.

Noninvasive Glucose Monitors

Researchers are currently developing noninvasive blood sugar monitoring. That’s right — no needles, no blood. Some products in early development use light sensors or electrical signals from the skin.

While these have not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for blood glucose monitoring, be sure to look out for them in the future.

Choosing the Right Option for You

Choosing between fingersticks and CGMs depends on your diabetes management goals, insurance coverage, and personal comfort. Some people prefer the simplicity of testing strips, while others like the constant monitoring of CGMs. No one method is perfect for anyone — when done correctly, they can both provide accurate results that help you keep your diabetes under control.

Talk With Your Doctor

Before changing how you check your blood sugar, talk with your doctor. They can help you pick a glucose meter and strips that work well together. Your doctor’s office may have other strategies to access affordable diabetes supplies. They may even recommend a CGM as a better fit for managing your diabetes.

Managing diabetes is all about using the right tools. Test strips are an important tool for keeping your diabetes under control, so it’s important that they are accurate and affordable.

Find Your Team

On DiabetesTeam, the social network for people with diabetes and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with diabetes.

Have you used diabetes test strips to monitor your blood sugar? What other tools do you use while living with diabetes? Share your experience in the comments below or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.