Control solution. To check a measurement

Glucose meter has a deviation compared to laboratory research. We call a deviation of up to 15 percent acceptable. In theory, this deviation can increase as the meter gets older and is used more often. Using control solution you can check whether the blood glucose meter and the test strips are functioning correctly together as a blood glucose monitoring system. However, with modern glucose meters, control solution is used less and less. Manufacturers also charge insane prices for this liquid. A new glucose meter is often cheaper than a bottle of control solution.

Use control solution

If the result of a control solution test is within the range stated on the test strip tube, the meter and test strips are working properly. You then perform a correct test. Control solution is a liquid containing a measured amount of glucose. But the tube also contains other ingredients. Think of polyvinyl acetate, microsilica and sodium benzoate. In this way, every brand of fluid differs from each other.

There is no fixed time to measure. You could use control solution for:

• Practice
• First use of device
• New tube of test strips
• Suspicion of wrong results
• Damaged device
• Symptoms not consistent with measurement

Diabetic patients may doubt the results given by a test strip, so it may be useful to check the results with control solution. The range of low, medium or high is stated on the test strip packaging. If test results with the control solution differ, the test strips will most likely be incorrect. Unfortunately, the control solution differs not only per brand but also per strip. For example Accu-Chek Mobile en Accu-Chek Performa both have their own type of control solution. The operation is the same, but the composition of the liquid differs slightly, which means that a control liquid is required for each type of test strip.

Disadvantage of control fluid

Manufacturers do not focus on control solution. Although it can be a useful product, many manufacturers simply do not sell the fluid. It seems that control solution is being used less and less. Modern glucose meters – the meters that meet ISO standards – do not deviate much anyway. Even as they get older, the deviation does not necessarily increase.

At diabetesmagazijn.nl we only have a very limited supply of control solution. Prices are very high. For almost all brands, control fluid is more expensive than a completely new meter! A new meter where you often also receive test strips, lancing devices and lancets for free. Most people therefore buy a new glucose meter every three years.