How to Calibrate a Freestyle Glucometer

Written by Pauline Gill

27 July, 2017

According to the American Diabetic Supply website, the Freestyle glucometer is one of the most popular blood glucose monitors. Because the test strips have two areas for blood test readings, it is a good choice for children who are just learning to read their blood glucose levels or for any adult who wants a second reading within 60 seconds of the first because of a possible error. Glucometer error readings do occur occasionally. The Freestyle monitor has a control solution for calibrating readings. Calibrating a Freestyle glucometer is as simple as taking your own blood sample.

How to Calibrate a Freestyle Glucometer

Turn your glucometer on. To turn on the Freestyle glucometer, place a test strip into the bottom of the meter. Push the strip in as far as it will go. The meter will turn on once the test strip is inserted correctly.

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Wait for the screen to light up. The meter will display a blood droplet and a test strip symbol. If this is not displayed, take the test strip out and push it in again. Be careful not to bend the test strip.

Open the Freestyle control solution. The control solution has a fixed amount of glucose to ensure that the meter and test strips are working correctly. Place the test strip against the control solution.

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Watch the display screen for the results. Within a few seconds, the display screen will display the results in milligrams per deciliter. You can mark the number as a control solution result by pressing and holding the "C" button for 2-3 seconds.

Compare the test result with the range. A range is printed on the test strip vial. It is usually in small print at the bottom of the label. If your monitor is calibrated correctly, the numbers on the display should fall in between the range on the test strip vial. If the numbers fall outside the range, replace the monitor.

Tips

Keep your test strips and your glucometer in a cool, dry place.

Check the accuracy of your glucometer with the control solution whenever your readings seem abnormal to you.

You may purchase control solution from Customer Care at 1-888-522-5226.

Warnings

Do not use test strips that have expired because they may give inaccurate readings.

Do not use control solution that is more than three months old from the time it is opened.

To turn on the Freestyle glucometer, place a test strip into the bottom of the meter.
If your monitor is calibrated correctly, the numbers on the display should fall in between the range on the test strip vial.