Blood Glucose Control Solution: What It Is and How to Use It

Quick answer

Blood glucose control solution is a liquid with a known glucose level that you test in place of blood to confirm your meter and strips are working within their labeled range. Use it when you open a new strip vial, suspect inaccurate readings, or drop the meter, and always follow your meter's instructions for the correct control range.

How to use control solution step by step

1. Gather your supplies and read the instructions: Collect your meter, the test strips that match the meter, the correct control solution for your meter model, and a clean tissue. Read the control solution package insert and your meter manual for the specific range and testing technique. Common mistake: assuming all control solutions work the same way or that the range is printed on the meter rather than the strip vial. Check that the control solution has not expired and that the strip vial is within its use-by date after opening.
2. Prepare the control solution: Remove the control solution cap, wipe the dropper tip with a clean tissue, and discard the first drop if your instructions say to do so. Gently squeeze a drop onto a clean, non-absorbent surface if required by your meter's instructions. Common mistake: touching the dropper tip to the test strip or your skin, which can contaminate the solution. Never add control solution directly from the bottle onto a test strip unless your meter manual specifically allows it.
3. Test the control solution like a blood sample: Insert a test strip into the meter and apply the control solution drop to the strip using the same technique you use for blood, following your meter's instructions for control testing mode if it has one. Common mistake: forgetting to mark the reading as a control test, which can mix it up with your blood glucose log. If your meter has a control mode, use it so the result is not stored as a blood glucose reading.
4. Compare the result with the control range: Wait for the meter to display the result, then compare it with the control range printed on the test strip vial or in the meter manual. The range is specific to the solution level (high or low) and the strip lot. Common mistake: comparing the control result with your personal blood glucose target range instead of the control range. Write down the result, the date, and the strip lot number so you can track patterns over time.
5. Repeat or troubleshoot if the result is outside range: If the result falls outside the printed range, repeat the test with a new strip and fresh control solution drop. If it is still outside range, check that the strips and solution are within date, stored properly, and that you used the correct solution for your meter. Contact the meter manufacturer if the problem continues. Common mistake: continuing to use the meter for blood glucose testing without resolving an out-of-range control result. Do not adjust your insulin or other treatment based on an out-of-range control test; use a backup method and seek advice.

Product facts to know

• High-Low Control Solution for Harmony Meter: High-Low Control Solution for Harmony Meter is designed to confirm meter accuracy with a very small blood sample requirement. A small sample requirement can make the control test easier to perform, especially if you have limited dexterity or want to avoid wasting solution.

  

• EVENCARE HI LO Control Solutions for G3 Meter: EVENCARE HI LO Control Solutions for G3 Meter provide high and low control options for all EvenCare G3 meters and deliver results in as little as 6 seconds. Having both high and low solutions lets you check the meter across its range, and fast results make the process quicker to complete.