The answer to whether you can use any control solution with your glucose meter is generally no, as these liquids are specifically designed to be system-matched. A control solution is a liquid containing a precise, known concentration of glucose used in place of a blood sample to check the device’s function. This test verifies that the meter and the test strip are accurately working together as a unit. Control solution testing is a quality assurance step for your equipment and should not be confused with your personal blood glucose reading.
Why Control Solutions Are Essential
Testing with a control solution provides confidence in the reliability of the entire blood glucose monitoring system. This process confirms that the device correctly reads the test strip information and that the strip itself is chemically sound. Manufacturers recommend performing a control test in several circumstances.
A new control test should be run every time a new vial of test strips is opened or when first using a new meter. Testing is also important if the meter has been dropped, damaged, or the test strips have been stored improperly. A control solution test is also warranted anytime a blood glucose reading seems unexpectedly high or low and does not match how the patient feels. If the control solution result falls outside the accepted range, it signals a problem with the meter, the strips, or the testing technique.
The Need for Meter-Specific Solutions
Control solutions are not universal because each glucose meter system is engineered with unique chemical and electronic specifications requiring a matching formulation. The test strip contains an enzymatic layer that reacts with glucose to generate an electrical signal. Manufacturers use different enzyme types, such as Glucose Oxidase (GOD) or variants of Glucose Dehydrogenase (GDH), and each system has a different response profile and susceptibility to chemical interferences.
The control solution is a precise formulation of water, glucose, pH buffers, and microbicides. This liquid must produce an electrochemical reaction that perfectly matches the meter’s internal calibration curve for that specific test strip chemistry. If a non-approved solution is used, its viscosity, pH, or reaction with the strip’s enzyme system will not align with the meter’s programmed algorithm. Since the meter’s software is specifically calibrated to interpret the unique signal produced by its own branded strip and solution, a mismatch causes the resulting reading to be unreliable.
What Happens When Solutions Are Mismatched
Using a control solution not specifically approved for your meter leads to inaccurate quality control results, undermining the entire monitoring process. The primary danger of a mismatched solution is receiving a false indication of system performance, either a false “Pass” or a false “Fail.” If the meter incorrectly passes the control test, the user may continue to rely on a faulty device, believing inaccurate readings are correct.
Conversely, a false “Fail” may cause the user to discard a functional meter and expensive test strips. The health risk is substantial when a device is faulty but undetected, potentially leading to inappropriate treatment decisions based on flawed glucose data. For example, an artificially low reading could lead to administering too little insulin, risking high blood sugar. A falsely high reading could prompt too large a dose, risking severe hypoglycemia. Using an incorrect solution eliminates the protective function of the quality check, as the control test is the only way for a patient to verify system accuracy at home.