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Diabetes is a disease in which a person's pancreas stops working . When the pancreas stops working, the person's blood sugar won't be able to be regulated within the persons body. Some symptoms include dry mouth, extreme thirst, increased urination, and nausea.

Diabetic test strips are an over the counter medical product used with a glucose meter. Test strips are used for the purpose of determining a diabetic person's glucose level. Glucose levels are a measure of the amount of sugar in the blood stream. Since diabetics pancreas' do not work, they have to monitor their blood glucose levels, stay on a regular diet, and some even take insulin injections.

A diabetic uses a test strip by pricking his finger with a small needle, placing a small drop of blood on the end of the test strip, and inserting it into the glucose meter. The meter will analyze the blood to determine how much glucose is in the blood stream. The diabetic will then determine whether he needs to eat something with a higher carbohydrate content, take pills, or inject insulin to adjust his glucose level.

The way that test strips help patients stay in control is by allowing them to see if they are eating too many or too few carbohydrates. A diabetic can control some of his symptoms by diet. Carbohydrates raise the blood sugar level and protein keeps the level. It is ideal for a diabetic to have glucose levels between 70-150 milligrams per deciliter of blood. If a diabetic has a blood glucose level of about 70, then the diabetic knows that he should eat a few more carbohydrates at his next meal in order to sustain a blood glucose level in that range. If the diabetic has a high blood glucose level, then he knows that he should eat less carbohydrates and treat with medication if necessary.

Diabetic test strips come in a range of types. Each type works with a different meter and are put out on the market by a specific company. Many times a diabetic can receive a blood glucose meter for free, but then will need to purchase the glucose test strips. The glucose test strips are often more costly than other medical supplies. Fortunately, insurance often helps offset some of the cost for test strips.