Got some free strips - can I use them?

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JenM

JenM

Member Since 2013
So, I was just given some diabetic supplies. I know I can use the lancets - but I also got 9 boxes of test strips for an Embrace meter. Looking on Amazon, I can get the meter for about ten bucks... but my concern is that all the strips are expired. THe boxes are still sealed (except one, which I probably wouldn't use), but they all expired anywhere between 2013 & Nov 2014.

One review on Amazon mentioned that expired strips wont work in the meter. Does that sound right? I'm not sure how the meter would know. I guess I'm just curious - I know they have to put exp. dates on there for humans... but are these REALLY expiration dates, or is there wriggle room?

It sure would be nice to have 8 boxes of strips I can use for FREE. Plus these are very comparably priced to the Relion Prime I've been using (but I HATE Walmart). It appears that they take a smaller sample than the Relion ones, but I can't find that listed anywhere. But if they truly wont work in the meter, I wont waste my money and will just toss them. Hoping someone here might know.
 
I think I wouldn't risk it....there are 2 numbers you want to be pretty accurate with....the test numbers and the amount of insulin you're shooting.

There are chemicals in the strips that react to the blood sample....old chemicals can be bad chemicals...human or animal
 
If it states specifically that you can't use expired strips, I wouldn't risk it. The old accuchek meters read a date code in the strips and won't let expired ones activate the meter. I had to trash about 400 strips...what a shame that was! Throwing those away was as bad as trying to throw away a pair of shoes. :)
 
Pop over to ADW to get Glucocard 01 meter and test strips. They are made by Arkray USA, they are inexpensive and they haven't been rebranded for WalMart (ie, WalMart just pasted their ReliOn label on the exact same thing).
 
What specific strips?
I have an Embrace meter I can send you. If you get another meter you can check the BG to see if they are close enough.
I have used expired strips without problems
 
That's what I was figuring - was if they'll WORK in the meter, I'll double check several times with my Relion meter to make sure it's accurate. I'll have to check the exact strip info when I get home. I just hate throwing out so many strips (even if they were free) - but - I don't want to risk my kitty's health either.
 
I know... I meant testing with the Embrace strips/meter - then also testing with the Relion strips/meter to see if the BG tested at a close enough level to tell me the Embrace strips are working properly.
 
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