How to Use a FreeStyle Light Meter

The Freestyle Lite monitor is simple to use and minimizes the learning curve for diabetic users who want to know their blood sugar level and see recent trends in blood sugar movement. Introduced by Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in April 2007, the Freestyle Lite has an automatic calibration feature to enhance accuracy. The unit also has a built-in memory to show average blood sugar readings from 7, 14 and 30 days of past usage.

Things You'll Need

• Freestyle Lite monitor
• Freestyle Lite test strips
• Lancets
• Lancet holder (finger poker)
• Cotton balls, bandages
• Alcohol swabs

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Instructions

• 1

  Insert a test strip into the Freestyle Lite, with the words "Freestyle Lite" facing up on the strip. The monitor will automatically turn on and show an image of a blood droplet when it is ready for a blood sample.

• 2

  Use the lancet holder to puncture your finger or arm (arm lancet holders are available). If necessary, squeeze the small puncture to bring a small ball of blood to the surface.

• 3

  Hold the Freestyle Lite perpendicular to your finger or arm, with the test strip near the blood sample. The sample needs to be drawn inside the test strip on the right or left side---not on top of the strip. Let the test strip's side touch the sample.

• 4

  Once the sample is input, the Freestyle Lite will beep once to signal that a reading is in progress. After 5 to 15 seconds, your blood sugar will be displayed and then saved into memory. If the device beeps two or more times, a malfunction has occurred and you must start over.