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Frequently Asked Questions
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How
Do I Obtain A Drop Of Blood?
Wash your hands with soap and warm water, and dry them thoroughly, then massage a finger to encourage blood flow. Avoid using your index finger or thumb as these are the digits you use most frequently. Prick the side of the finger with a finger pricker. Press gently to encourage a small drop of blood to form. Choose a different spot on the side of a finger each time you test to avoid finger sore and calluses.
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How
Do I Know If I've inserted The Test Strip Correctly?
When the test strip is inserted into the test strip guide. the meter will switch on with a full display followed by a code number and a flashing strip icon. If you are using the meter for the first time the meter will switch on with a full display followed by code with “---“. If this display is not there, the test strip has not been inserted in correctly.
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How
do I use the lancing device to get a drop of blood?
With the lancing device pressed firmly against the skin, depress the release button and do not lift up. Continue to hold the lancing device and gradually increase pressure for several seconds. Lift the lancing device straight up; be careful not to smear the blood sample.
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How
do i best apply a drop of blood to the strip?
Do not drop the blood sample on the top of the test strip. Bring the test strip to the sample at a slight angle and gently touch only one edge of the test strip to the sample. Do not press the test strip against the sample, scrape the blood or use the flat side of the test strip
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How
do i know if i adequately dosed the strip?
Only when adequate amount of blood is applied to the test strip, the count down for the results will start automatically.
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How
should i store my blood glucose meter?
Ensure that your meter is kept at temperatures between
20° C and 55° C to avoid damage. Relative
humidity must be below 85% and storage near electro-magnetic
fields (found near mobile telephones, microwave ovens
etc) should be avoided.
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How
should i store my strips?
Test strips should be kept out of very cold or hot
conditions. The test strip container should be kept
closed at all times since it contains a drying agent
which will not work if exposed to the air. Do not
refrigerate test strips.
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How
do i clean my blood glucose meter and how often?
Clean you meter whenever it looks dirty. You can then wipe it with 70% alcohol briefly and allow it to dry thoroughly. Wipe the measurements optic components with a soft lint-free cloth and /or a cotton swab which can be moist but not wet. Do not let moisture get into the meter itself.
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What
are quality control check and when/how should i do
them?
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You should carry out a quality
control test:
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When you open a new pack of test strips. |
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After you have replaced the batteries. |
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After you have cleaned your meter. |
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If your blood test does not agree with how you feel. |
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How
do i code my blood glucose meter?
Refer the user manual page 6 & page 7.
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What's
the difference between HbA1c and blood sugar?
The HbA1c test is a type of blood glucose test that
shows blood glucose levels over a longer period of
time - it shows the control a patient has had over
a number of weeks or months. Blood sugar, also called
glucose, is a simple sugar obtained from breakdown
of carbohydrates in food. When this is tested the
result is an instant reflection of current blood sugar
levels.
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What
is an ideal blood glucose level?
Because a variety of factors impact blood glucose
levels, target ranges are different for different
people. Your health care professionals can help you
set realistic target levels for your own diabetes
management.
Expected blood glucose
levels for people without diabetes:
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Time
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Range,
mg/dL |
Range,
mmol/L |
Before
meals |
70-105
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3.9-5.8
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1 hour
after meals |
Less
than 160 |
Less
than 8.9 |
2 hours
after meals |
Less
than 120 |
Less
than 6.7 |
Between
2 and 4 am |
Greater
than 70 |
Greater
than 3.9 |
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Why
are tests taken from the same blood drop show different
readings?
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Inconsistency in results from
a same blood drop may be due to:
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The first portion of
the blood has more plasma and interstitial
fluid in it and therefore gives different results |
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After 30 seconds the blood coagulates
and clots so the result from the same fingerpick
differ |
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How
do I set the time?
Refer your user manual page 29 & page 30
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How
do I set the Date?
Refer your user manual page 31
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How
can I get Owner's Booklet for MICRODOT glucometer?
You may download a copy of the
microdot glucometer user manual from
this web-site.
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What
is control solution and when should I use it?
Control solution is a blue liquid that contains a fixed amount of glucose. It is not blood. Control solution is used to test the meter under the following situations:
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When your meter is dropped,
damaged or exposed to liquids, to insure that your
meter and test strips are working together properly. |
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When you suspect that your meter
or test strips are not working properly. |
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When you think your test results
are not accurate, or if your test results are not
consistent with how you feel. |
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How
do I perform a control solution test?
Gently touch only one edge of the test strip to the
control solution. If the sound prompt is on, your
meter will beep when the test strip is full. Once
the sample is finished processing, your meter will
beep twice and the result will appear on the display
screen. Compare your control solution test results
to the range printed on your test strip vial label.
Your control solution results should fall within the
range printed on the side of your test strip vial.
If your test results continue to fall outside the
range printed on the test strip vial, call Customer
Service.
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Can
I erase test results from the memory of my meter?
It is not possible to erase or delete test results
from the memory of the meter. As the test results
in the memory of a meter are often used by health
care providers, as key information for evaluation
and treatment. The test results will eventually
“roll out” of the memory, in the order
that they were entered, once the meter memory has
reached its capacity.
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What
kind of batteries does the MICRODOT meter use?
Microdot uses what are commonly referred to as CR2032
"coin cell" batteries. It is designed
to use 2 of these coin cell batteries, which are
commonly available at grocery stores, drugstores,
and electronics retailers.
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