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FAQ - What is Control Solution and Do I need it?

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Test your iHealth glucose meters and test strips with iHealth Labs Level 2 Control Solution.

 

What is control solution?

The control solution is a liquid that contains a known quantity of glucose which reacts with the test strips and is used to check that your glucose meter and test strips work properly together. iHealth Control Solution is calibrated to work with iHealth Test Strips. Do not use any other brand of control solution to test you iHealth Test Strips, the result will not be accurate.

Test results with the control solution must be within the result range printed on the test strip vial.

Equipment needed to perform a control solution test

  • iHealth Glucose Meter
  • iHealth Test strip (EGS-2003)
  • iHealth (Level II) control solution

When should a test with control solution be done?

  • When first unpacking your glucometer.
  • Periodic inspection (recommended once a week).
  • When opening a new vial of test strips.
  • When the glucose meter and/or test strips are not operating correctly.
  • When your blood glucose level read is not what you expected (according to your general condition / feeling) or you think the result is inaccurate.
  • After the tests trips have been exposed to extreme conditions (heat, cold, humidity).
  • After dropping your glucometer or a shock.

Conducting a test with the control solution

When the glucometer is connected to the iHealth Gluco-Smart app on your smartphone:

  1. Start the iHealth Gluco-Smart app.
  2. Go to MENU> Settings > Press "Test with control solution".
  3. Apply the control solution:
    • Shake the control solution vial before using.
    • Pour a drop of control solution into the control solution cap or on any other clean and healthy medium. For best results, it is recommended to conduct the test with the second drop (discard the first drop).

Bring the glucometer and test strip to the control solution drop to absorb it. When the window for checking absorption is completely filled, the app begins a 5-second countdown. You can remove the glucometer and test strip from the droplet of control solution once the countdown begins.

Note: To avoid contaminating the rest of the control solution, do not apply the control solution droplet directly on the test strip. Once opened, the control solution must be used within 90 days.
  1. Compare the result to the result range printed on the test strip vial.

If the result is outside this range, perform a new test with a new test strip.

Test result outside result range

Several factors can cause out-of-range test results, including:

  • The previously mentioned test instructions were not followed.
  • The control solution is contaminated, expired or the shelf life date after opening has passed. Once opened, the control solution must be used within 90 days.
  • The test strip is damaged or out of date.
  • The plastic surface receiving the droplet of control solution when taking the measurement was not clean.
  • The control solution storage temperature (between 2 and 30°C) was not respected.
  • The iHealth glucometer is defective.
  • The control solution used is not iHealth branded control solution.

If the test results obtained with the control solution continue to be outside the range of values printed on the test strip vial, make a new test with a new test strip from a new vial.

If the test result continues to be outside the range of values printed on the vial, do not use the reader, test strips or control solution and contact iHealth customer service.

 

If you have further questions, please contact iHealth Support at 855-816-7705 or via email at support@ihealthlabs.com.

 

 

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