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Freestyle Meter Instructions

The Freestyle meter is a blood glucose monitoring device that is used for managing diabetes. From a blood sample, the Freestyle meter provides results that are used to determine if a change in insulin, diet, activity or other medication is necessary. Freestyle blood glucose meters come in two versions: Freestyle Lite and Freestyle Freedom Lite. They both operate in the same way, but each requires its own test strips and control solution. The devices are small and easy to use, but to ensure accuracy, it is advisable to perform a test with the control solution before testing blood glucose.

Things You'll Need

  • Freestyle meter
  • Freestyle test strips
  • Freestyle control solution
  • Freestyle lancing device
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Instructions

  1. How to Perform the Control Test

    • 1

      Hold the Freestyle meter upright and insert one test strip into the slot in the bottom. Make sure the sample area of the test strip is sticking out. Slide the strip in until it stops; this will turn on the meter.

    • 2

      Wait until the meter displays the blood drop and test strip symbols in the middle of the screen; it will then be ready to test.

    • 3

      Open the bottle of control solution; touch the test strip sample area to the solution. Your meter will beep when the test strip is ready.

    • 4

      Wait for the result. When it appears on the screen, the meter should beep twice. Mark the result as control solution by pressing the "C" button and holding it down until the control solution symbol is displayed in the upper left portion of the screen.

    • 5

      Compare the meter result to the range printed on the test strip bottle. If your result doesn't fall within the correct range, your meter may have malfunctioned -- don't use it to test your blood glucose. If the result falls within the correct range, go ahead and begin the blood glucose test.

    How to Perform the Blood Glucose Test

    • 6

      Wash your hands and the testing site with soap and water to ensure accurate results. Make sure there is no lotion on the skin. Put a testing strip into the Freestyle meter to turn it on. Be sure to take the blood sample within two minutes or the meter will shut off.

    • 7

      Choose a place on your body to take a blood sample. The Freestyle meter can take blood from the finger tips, hand, forearm, upper arm, thigh or calf. When testing for low blood sugar, however, only test from the finger tips.

    • 8

      Place the Freestyle lancing device firmly against the skin. Press the release button and increase the pressure against the skin for several seconds. Lift the device straight up so you don't smudge the blood sample.

    • 9

      Bring the test strip to the blood sample at an angle. Touch the strip lightly to the blood. The test strip will act as a sponge, pulling the blood into the strip from the sample area.

    • 10

      Pull the meter away when you hear one beep or see a line moving clockwise on the screen. The result will show on the screen when you hear two beeps.

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