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Ensuring Test Strip Accuracy

A glucose test strip is a small and unassuming item, but they’re high-tech devices that make it possible for people with diabetes to monitor and manage their disease. Glucose test strips must be accurate and to ensure that they work as intended manufacturers stamp expiration dates on each batch.

Glucose test strips were originally created in 1962 for use exclusively in physician’s offices. It was a complicated process that relied on a light and dye process to analyze a blood sample. The development of home glucose meters in 1980 radically altered the way diabetic patients cared for themselves and placed the power for daily management of their disease in their own hands.

Individuals rely on the accuracy of test strips to ensure they receive correct readings of their blood sugar levels. Test strips that have passed their expiration date can give inaccurate readings that can result in individuals injecting too much or too little insulin, both of which are situations that can be deadly.

There are multiple manufacturers that create test strips and they all work in basically the same way. Today’s diabetic test strips utilize an enzyme that transforms a small blood sample into an electrical current that’s read by the glucose meter. Chemicals are used to stabilize the enzyme. A test strip is comprised of several different layers, each of which has its own specific functionality.

To ensure the accuracy of each test strip, manufacturers must closely control the way the chemicals that stabilize the enzyme is dried during the manufacturing process. The strip has to maintain an exact amount of hydration. Too little and the enzyme won’t function correctly. Too much moisture will accelerate the breakdown of the chemical.

Accuracy also depends on how much blood is allowed to enter the strip. Too much blood will overload the electrical circuit that’s created by the blood. Not enough blood and the circuit won’t be completed. Manufacturers know exactly how long the chemicals and enzymes within the test strips will provide an accurate reading.

Never use a diabetic test strip that has exceeded its expiration date. There’s no guarantee that the readings will be accurate and too much or too little insulin may be injected causing a life-threatening situation.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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The Stigma of Diabetes

Having diabetes comes with a social stigma that’s prevalent throughout the U.S. While there are a number of lifestyle choices that can increase the risk of developing the disease, genetics also play a role and some ethnic groups are more likely to develop diabetes than others.

Adults with diabetes are shamed, blamed and judged for “getting” the disease. Parents with diabetic children are stigmatized as bad parents for “causing” the kids to develop diabetes. Further marginalizing those with diabetes are misconceptions and prejudices concerning everything from testing glucose levels and administering insulin injections when out in public to believing “it will go away” if the person just tries hard enough.

The stigma attached to diabetes can prevent people from getting diagnosed or managing their disease appropriately. The blame game to which diabetics are subjected makes managing the condition even more difficult, leads to an increase in depression, and a feeling of lower self-worth. It affects both adults and children with diabetes and those that rely on insulin rather than oral medications are typically perceived as more of a “failure.”

The CDC has judged diabetes to be an epidemic and a national health crisis, while the Pentagon has indicated that diabetes is a national security threat. Both of those judgements have further stigmatized the disease and those that develop it. There’s also the sentiment in the U.S. that anyone with diabetes is a burden and a drain on the healthcare system. Having diabetes is also seen by many as a character flaw rather than a disease.

No one wants to be diagnosed with diabetes or live the rest of their lives checking glucose levels, injecting insulin or taking pills, and calculating every bite of food they eat. Nor do they want to be ostracized, stigmatized, guilted, shamed, blamed, or judged for developing the disease. They just want to be accepted as they are and live their lives as normally as possible.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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The Struggle of Rationing Test Strips

Millions of people living with diabetes are forced to ration their diabetic test strips each day, placing their health at risk. To accurately monitor glucose levels and monitor their disease, individuals must have a sufficient number of test strips but many patients are falling short due to restrictions by insurance companies.

Physicians prescribe how many test strips patients need to monitor their glucose levels. Those same physicians often find that health insurance carriers are countermanding those orders. Insurance companies are limiting the number of strips individuals need in a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t consider the needs of the individual.

Someone that has been newly diagnosed or is unable to get good control of their condition will require far more strips since they will need to test more often than someone that has lived with the disease for many years and learned the best management techniques. Healthcare professionals and government guidelines indicate diabetics should test four times per day, but many are coming up short on the number of test strips they’re allowed to receive.

Individuals are given a myriad of excuses by insurance companies why their supply of test strips is limited. Reasons range from “you don’t need to test that often” to “budget constraints.” In many instances, patients and physicians are spending more time challenging insurance companies for basic supplies than in treating and managing the condition.

Those that are most affected are individuals on fixed incomes, low-income households, the underinsured, and the uninsured. Many are turning to charitable organizations in an effort to obtain the extra test strips they need, but those outlets are limited in the amounts they have and how many they can distribute to each person.

The solution for many individuals has been purchasing their diabetic test strips online and provided that the seller is a reputable company, it’s a more affordable option than paying out-of-pocket for the shortfall. Test strips are a critical element of preventative medicine for diabetics that inhibit far more serious healthcare consequences.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Are There 5 Types of Diabetes?

As if diabetes wasn’t difficult and confusing enough with type 1, type 2 and gestational forms, a study published in the professional journal, “The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology,” suggests adding two additional types of the disease for a total of five. Even the terminology associated with diabetes can be puzzling and previous classifications were as follows:

  • Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes, but it can occur at any age. Individuals must take insulin and it’s an autoimmune disease.
  • Type 2 diabetes was sometimes formerly referred to as prediabetes, but it’s an inaccurate description. Prediabetes occurs when glucose levels are elevated, but not high enough to be labeled as diabetes. Insulin is prescribed for type 2 if oral medications are ineffective at adequately controlling the disease.
  • Gestational diabetes is seen in some pregnant women. It’s a temporary condition lasting during the pregnancy and can be controlled with a special diet, oral medications, or insulin injections.

In addition to the three basic types, there’s also monogenic diabetes, a rare form that’s inherited. It’s the result of a specific gene mutation and typically affects children. Diabetes classifications haven’t been updated in 20 years and haven’t taken into account new scientific advances and findings. The study proposes that diabetes be defined by clusters rather than types with the following characteristics:

  1. Type 1 would be known as Cluster 1, demonstrating insulin deficiency and autoantibodies.
  2. Type 2 would be Cluster 2, characterized by severe insulin dependence, younger ages, poor metabolic control, insulin deficiency, but no autoantibodies.
  3. Cluster 3 would present as severe insulin resistance and a higher risk of kidney disease.
  4. Cluster 4 would be a mild form common in those that are obese.
  5. Cluster 5 would be mild, age-related diabetes.

While no move has been officially made to enact the change, researchers believe the current type classifications fail to account for the underlying causes of diabetes. They believe changing the classifications would lead to more precise healthcare options and treatment for those with the disease. For now, those with diabetes can continue to use the same terminology to which they’re familiar.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Why do Test Strips Expire?

The high cost of diabetic test strips has led to many people using them past the manufacturer’s expiration date, but it’s not a good idea. Test strips contain an enzyme and stabilizing chemical on the end that can give a false reading past the expiration date.

The humble test strip is far more complicated than it appears. It’s a technological wonder of electrochemistry comprised of many ultrathin layers. Enzymes and stabilizing chemicals are applied to the end of the strip that accepts the blood sample during the manufacturing process. If test strips aren’t stored properly, they can degrade and provide inaccurate readings.

When home users introduce blood to the strip, a chemical reaction takes place that’s transformed into an electrochemical reaction in the strip. That reaction is then read by the glucose meter. High humidity and extremes in temperature degrade the enzyme and chemical used, thereby rendering an inaccurate reading and placing users’ health at risk.

Test strips that have exceeded their expiration date can exhibit errors by giving readings that are over or under the actual glucose level. Individuals may use too much or too little insulin to compensate. Manufacturers use different enzymes and chemicals unique to their particular brand. Some may provide better accuracy but have a longer shelf life, while other brands may be slightly less accurate but have a longer expiration date.

Accurate glucose readings can be disrupted by a variety of blood components such as acetaminophen and other medications. The sophisticated design of diabetic test strips enables them to read and ignore those components to provide an accurate reading.

The manufacturing process of diabetic test strips involves multiple steps and highly sensitive elements to provide diabetics with an accurate reading to manage and control their disease. The reason test strips expire is due to the enzymes and chemicals used – the very same reason that they work to accurately measure glucose levels.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Why Secondhand Test Strips are Selling so Well

Glucose test strips are critical for monitoring and managing diabetes. The test strips are necessary to ascertain if glucose levels are too low, too high, if insulin should be administered and how much. Whether purchasing them over-the-counter or obtaining them through healthcare insurance, the cost can be prohibitive for many individuals. The market for secondhand test strips is booming as a result and can be attributed to multiple factors.

The Cost

High co-pays, lack of insurance, increasingly high deductibles, and insurance-determined caps on healthcare products are all working to keep diabetics from obtaining the test strips they need. Buying them over-the-counter can sometimes be less expensive, but even that option can be out of reach for people with low-incomes that often have to make a choice between paying their bills, buying groceries or having the supplies to monitor their disease.

Not Enough Strips

Doctors ascertain how many times a person needs to test, but insurance companies determine how many test strips it will pay for each month and what brand, whether or not it’s an adequate amount. Some insurers take a one-size-fits-all approach and individuals can easily find themselves without the number of test strips they need for all or part of the year.

No Interchangeability

Another complication is the type of meter device being used. Each manufacturer sells its own brand of glucose monitor and test strips that aren’t interchangeable among other brands. Manufacturers have multiple meter types and the test strips aren’t even interchangeable among different models by the same company. Some insurers only pay for specific types of test strips and that’s a serious problem if the individual must change meters.

A New Alternative

Secondhand test strips offer an affordable means to obtain the diabetic products that individuals need and purchasing secondhand test strips is entirely legal. For many people, secondhand test strips offer the only available choice for monitoring glucose levels and managing diabetes.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Don’t Overpay for Diabetic Test Strips

Diabetic test strips are an absolute necessity for those with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels. High costs have led many individuals to test less often to save money, thereby putting their health at risk. What many people don’t know is that they really don’t have to overpay for their diabetic test strips.

SellYourTestStrips.com has been in business for more than 18 years, purchasing unwanted test strips and providing them at discounted prices to individuals across the U.S. that are in need. Major brands are available for numerous types of glucose meters at far less than what pharmacies are charging.

The test strips are carefully curated to ensure they have a long shelf life and purchasing them from the company is completely legal. In some instances, the company also accepts donations of glucose meters and testing solutions.

The high cost of diabetic supplies has led to what’s been dubbed as “Canadian Caravans,” groups of individuals journeying to Canada to purchase insulin and other diabetic-related necessities due to lesser costs. No one needs to travel to a foreign country for their diabetic supplies, make expensive co-pays, or choose paying the bills over purchasing healthcare necessities.

Depending on the company, diabetic test strips cost manufactures approximately 15 cents to create, yet the strips often sell at prices that net pharmaceutical companies profits of up to 80 percent per box. Those with limited funds, the elderly with Medicare, and people with insurance policies that have high deductibles are often unable to afford enough test strips or any at all.

To further add to the problem, pharmacies have numerous ways to bill insurance that can save on co-pays but seldom do, while insurance companies often place a limit on the number of test strips they’ll pay for each month or the amount they will pay per year. Insurance won’t pay for test strips without a prescription and purchasing them over-the-counter is still expensive.

Diabetic test strips represent a significant cost each month, but no one has to go without the essential strips and put their health at risk. SellYourTestStrips.com offers a reputable and affordable solution that enables individuals to care for their health.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

Like us on Facebook

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Ways to Save Money on Diabetic Test Strips

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you may well have seen your medical costs skyrocket in recent years.  Diabetic test strips and other vital medications are not always covered under health insurance, and you may be struggling to fund the healthcare that you so desperately need.

If you are looking for ways to manage your condition without it costing you an arm and a leg, try these savvy ideas to help save money on diabetic test strips.

  1. Shop Around

If you carefully compare the prices between big chains, your local pharmacy, and other suppliers, you may be able to save money with a little research. Use the internet to help you find the best deal on the supplies that you need.

  1. Only buy what you need

State of the art continuous glucose monitors may sound like a life saver, but if the cost is putting pressure on you to work too hard or simply making you worry about how you are going to pay for it, then that alone could have further implications on your health.

By purchasing the basics, such as insulin pens, pen needles or syringes, and basic diabetic test strips, you can monitor and medicate without having to finance yourself to the limit.

  1. Look for patient assistance programs

Low-income families and those who need assistance might qualify for help through local patient assistance programs. You could also join social media groups, online forums or patient groups for diabetes sufferers.  Harnessing the power of the internet is an excellent way to find out about good deals and accessing other useful information to help keep costs down.

  1. Speak to your insurer

Again, you may never know if your insurer is able to help you if you don’t ask.  If you have health insurance, you may be able to purchase diabetic test strips with the cash in your FSA or HRA – two types of insurance tools that save your pre-tax dollars for use against certain types of purchases.

  1. Buy online

Many online retailers offer lower prices than what you would usually be able to buy in a retail store.  This same rule applies to medical supplies. With a bit of research, you may be able to find an online retailer that can help save you money on your test strips.  Be careful though; if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.  Only buy from a trusted source that has excellent patient reviews.

Here at sellyourteststrips.com, we understand that millions of Americans are suffering from diabetes and not all of them have the income or insurance to cover the cost of their supplies. That is why we buy unused boxes of diabetic test strips to help those in need. If you have unused, unexpired diabetic test strips that you no longer need, fill out our instant quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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