33 Comments
Have you ever used expired glucose strips? If so, share in the comments whether you noticed any differences from unexpired strips.
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The OneTouch Blue strips read everything higher than normal even just 1 month expired
Occasionally use very old strips from a different meter, check with my usual strips. No difference. Wouldn’t make any decisions with them though. Luckily have a CGM. Dexcom G6 pretty reliable usually.
Back when I was working and had commercial insurance (versus Medicare) I stockpiled both strips and insulin. When I retired I had three years worth of strips and more than a year’s worth of insulin. I never noticed any degradation in the insulin and since I didn’t have anything to verify the numbers from the strips, I assumed they were probably ok. My A1C was always good. I still have some of the old strips left because I went on a CGM three years ago and for the last year hardly ever use any strips.
I had a stockpile of strips and used them over a year after they expired. These were FreeStyle test strips and it made no difference in my results.
No difference
After updating my CGM (G6) where I no longer needed to calibrate it (regularly), my test strips began to sit lonely upon my shelf. Occasionally I will check my levels (like during the two hour warm up every 10 days) and the strips still seem to be fine. At this rate, I have about a 10-year supply of strips.
No difference whatsoever.
All my supplies are stored in a dark, cool closet & are never exposed to sunlight or heat. I have done comparison testing & the expired strips were OK. If I would see any discoloration I would throw them away.
On a Dex so I only test once a month (maybe) Never been an issue to really notice
I’ve conducted my own tests on many meters. Currently using test strips from 1998! Never more than a 3 point difference on 5 meters. Expiration dates are ridiculous.
When I started using a CGM, I had a boxes of test strips in a cool, dark closet. I didn’t use them fast enough and they are all expired now. The endo NP said they don’t get old if stored properly, so I haven’t noticed any problem whatsoever for the One Touch Ultra.
I have used expired glucose strips and they worked the same as non-expired.
Contrary to several of the comments here, the reagents used in test strips have shelf-lifes and do go bad/expire, particularly if exposed to high humidity and light. The dates listed by companies are very conservative and on purpose to lower risk exposure to suits and bad press.
I’m fortunate my insurance completely covers my needs, and I’m now on an insurance provided Dexcom G6. For those not as fortunate or who prefer finger sticks, try asking your doc to prescribe the max, vice minimum you require, so you can obtain more strips to cover you for longer periods. It wont work for those already maxed out, but might help some vice using outdated product on hand or bought wherever.
I’ve used them expired, without any noticeable difference in them.
If it’s no test and expired strip vs no test I have. I think most anyone would
In a pinch. And I spot checked them with a new container of strips tho. Didn’t have a problem.
No significant difference.
No issues. I have doubts the “expiration date” is accurate. I have more confidence it is marketing hype to get me to purchase more product.
Did it a lot. Never saw a difference
Have not noticed a difference. Agree with others about selling opportunities for the corporations.
I have used expired strips, I even did a side by side comparison. There is a margin of drift, normally about 10%, but there is about a 10% difference even in normal strips when testing bg.
Yes I’ve used expired strips without any problems. I keep them stored on the closed drawer of a bedside table.
I use expired strips and had seen no difference. I don’t know how long they’ll stay accurate but so far some of mine have expired more than one year ago.
I currently have two bottles of unused Contour Next strips that expired in 10/2020. They work just fine on the rare occasions when I need to use a meter. I have used other expired Contour or Freestyle strips in the past as old as two years past expiration dates w/o any inaccuracies.
To ensure ~ accuracy, I test and compare with Dexcom readings every 6 months to make sure they are still usable. So far, the expired Contour and/or Freestyle strips have been spot-on with Dexcom. However, not so with expired One Touch strips.
I’ve only used expired strips once. I was traveling at the end of one month/beginning of the the next and didn’t think to check the expiration date on the strips that I packed. They expired halfway through my trip and my meter wouldn’t let me use them anymore. So I changed the date in the meter’s settings and the strips worked just fine.
I have used numerous expired strips, infusion sets and sensors, I haven’t noticed anything significant.
I’ve used expired strips in a pinch too. Most times they work (I’d guess about 90% of the.time Occasionally I do get an error.
Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover blood test strips if you use a CGM. So, I’m stuck using old outdated strips, which I am almost out of. I use the blood tests strips during the 2 hour warm up of my new sensor (Dexcom G6). I guess I’ll be buying blood test strips over the counter when these run out.
No difference.
No difference. As others have mentioned, keeping test strips, and medications for that matter, in a dark cool cabinet/closet is ideal. Expiration dates are there for a variety of reasons, and are extremely conservative in the use-by date. I’ve used strips more than 1 year expired alongside ones that are not expired and have seen meaningful differences
I’ve never seen a difference.
Haven’t noticed any difference.
Never noticed a difference, but expiration was only by several months.