How does a sugar test strip work?

TLDR; the test strips contain a few enzymes that when coming into contact with blood glucose, react and generate electricity, and the machine measures this electricity and provides a numerical reading (Milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL)).

Simple right?Well, there are other things that go down when it's happening.

The test strip is made of 3 thin layers, each one has its own importance -

1️⃣ The top layer is generally a sponge that soaks the blood as soon as it comes in contact with it.2️⃣ The middle layer is just filtering the blood, then it goes to the bottom layer.\3️⃣ The bottom layer is a reaction chamber where the magic happens -

Here's how -

☑ The glucose oxidase enzyme on the strip reacts with the glucose in the blood, creating gluconic acid.☑ Gluconic acid reacts with one more enzyme present on the strip called ferricyanide to create ferrocyanide.☑ This process generates electricity.\☑ Which gets transferred to the electric sensor machine via the palladium + gold plated circuits.\☑ The sensors in the machine convert the generated electricity into a numerical value.

What goes in on the inside of the sensors is again a separate process, for now, we'll call it “beep bop boop beep”.

There you are, now ready with your good ol fashion sugar test reading. Simplified. Check out the reference range above to see where you stand.

Like, share, and connect with NirogGyan, we are simplifying medical reports for the world.

#diabetes #teststrips #patientengagement #health #niroggyan‍