🩸 The Strip That Tells the Story: Understanding Blood Glucose Test Strips 📊
Blood glucose test strips are small, but they are the essential engine behind self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). They are what make it possible for millions of people to quickly and accurately check their sugar levels at home using a portable meter.
The Basics: How They Work
Enzyme Action: Every strip contains a tiny amount of special chemicals, usually an enzyme like glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase.
The Reaction: When a small drop of blood is applied to the strip, the glucose in the blood reacts with the enzyme. This reaction generates a minute electrical current or causes a chemical color change.
The Meter's Role: The meter reads this electrical current or color change, translates it into a numerical glucose value, and displays the result in seconds.