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People can use testing strips and blood glucose monitors (BGMs) to monitor diabetes. Freestyle Lite testing strips are compatible with the Freestyle Lite or Freestyle Freedom Lite BGMs.
This article discusses what the Freestyle Lite testing strips are and how they compare to other Freestyle testing strips and alternative testing strips.
Freestyle’s parent company is Abbott, which manufactures various products, including BGMs and test strips.
At the time of publishing, Abbott does not have accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company has an F grade and an average customer rating of 1.09 stars out of 5 on the review platform.
At the time of publishing, the BBB has issued two alerts about companies that Abbott owns: Alere Inc. and St. Jude.
Abbott also has an average customer rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Positive reviews of the company state that it has a good reputation and offers good quality products.
However, those who left negative reviews said that the Freestyle continuous glucose monitoring devices they purchased gave inaccurate readings. Other reviewers stated that the company’s customer service is poor, with several customers complaining of long wait times to talk to representatives and delays in shipping replacement sensors.
People use testing strips in conjunction with a BGM to track blood glucose levels. Usually, a person will place a test strip in a BGM, perform a finger-prick with a lancet, and place a drop of blood on the test strip.
The
The NIDDK states that a person with diabetes should have the following blood sugar levels.
| Before a meal | 80–130 |
|---|---|
| Two hours after a meal | below 180 |
However, an individual’s healthcare team may provide different targets.
Please note, the writer has not tested these products. All information is research-based.
The Freestyle Lite test strips are only compatible with the Freestyle Lite or Freestyle Freedom Lite glucose meters.
The company states that the Freestyle Lite test strips are accurate and easy to use.
They have the following features:
- Small sample size: A person only needs a blood sample of 0.3 microliters (mcl) to perform the test.
- 60-second resample window: If the first blood sample is insufficient, a person has 60 seconds to replace the sample.
- No coding: The strips work automatically with compatible devices, so there is no need for coding.
- ZipWik tabs: These tabs break the surface of the blood sample, absorbing it quickly, and reducing the time it takes to receive a result.
- Alternative site testing: These testing strips are suitable for use on the forearm, hand, upper arm, thigh, palm, and calf.
However, the Freestyle Lite test strips are not reusable — a person must dispose of the strips once they have finished using them.
The Freestyle Lite test strips are also available through a Freestyle Promise Program. Through this scheme, a person receives a free test meter, while the test strips are available at a more affordable copay price.
At the time of publishing, the Freestyle Lite test strips cost $46.99.
Before purchasing Freestyle Lite testing strips, a person may wish to consider the advantages and disadvantages of this product.
Pros
- No coding is necessary when using the testing strips.
- The test strips only require a small blood sample.
- People can lance several areas of the body.
Cons
- The strips are only compatible with the Freestyle Lite and Freestyle Freedom Lite BGMs.
- Some customers claim the testing strips and BGMs are not accurate.
- The strips may be more expensive than some competitors.
A healthcare professional may recommend a person use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) instead of a BGM. A CGM is a small device that people place just under the skin that monitors blood glucose levels continuously.
The following table highlights the differences between the Freestyle Lite testing strips and other Freestyle testing strips.
| Freestyle Lite test strips | Freestyle Precision Neo test strips | Freestyle InsuLinx test strips | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $46.99 (100 count) | $19.85 (50 count) | $42 (50 count) |
| Blood sample size | 0.3 mcl | 0.6 mcl | 0.3 mcl |
| Compatiblity | Freestyle Lite Freestyle Freedom Lite | Freestyle Libre Freestyle Precision Neo | Freestyle InsuLinx |
| Additional features | no coding required 60 seconds to reapply sample | no coding required 5 seconds to reapply sample | no coding required |
The following table compares Freestyle Lite testing strips with two alternatives: OneTouch Verio test strips and Contour Next test strips.
| Freestyle Lite test strips | OneTouch Verio test strips | Contour Next test strips | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $46.99 (100 count) | list price of around $60 (90 count) | list price of around $135 (100 count) |
| Compatibility | two Freestyle devices | three OneTouch devices | all Contour Next devices |
| Sample size | 0.3 mcl | 0.4 mcl | 0.6 mcl |
| Requires coding | no | yes | no |
| Result time | 5 seconds | 5 seconds | 5 seconds |
| Additional features | 60 seconds to reapply sample | suitable for left and right-handed people | second chance sampling |
The National Kidney Foundation recommends people can manage diabetes by:
- Eating a balanced and nutritious diet: The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend people with diabetes should include nonstarchy vegetables and whole foods in their diets and avoid added sugars, refined grains, and processed food. - Exercising regularly: Regular exercise can help keep cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels from becoming too high. Learn more about the benefits of exercise.
- Taking prescription medications: A person should take all medications that a doctor prescribes.
- Testing blood sugar levels: People should test their blood glucose levels to ensure their medication is working.
- Contacting healthcare teams: A person should contact their healthcare team for support and ask questions regarding their health and medication.
The United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) recommends contacting a doctor if a person experiences any of the following symptoms:
- feeling thirstier than usual
- feeling more tired than usual
- urinating more frequently, especially at night
- experiencing unintentional weight loss
- blurry vision
- noticing wounds or cuts heal slower than usual
These symptoms may be a sign of diabetes. A healthcare professional will run tests to diagnose the condition and recommend treatment options.
Additionally, people receiving treatment for diabetes should have regular appointments with their healthcare team to discuss medication and its effectiveness.
Freestyle Lite test strips are compatible with the Freestyle Lite and Freestyle Freedom Lite BGMs. These testing strips require a small blood sample and show results within seconds.
People should regularly contact a doctor or their healthcare team to ensure their medication is still suitable for their condition.