This FAQ covers the GlucoRx Nexus TD-4277, Nexus mini TD-4287 & Nexus Voice TD-4280. For specific information on GlucoRx Nexus Blood Glucose Monitoring System, please see Owner’s manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
GlucoRx Nexus Range
METER SYSTEM
When this low battery symbol warning is displayed on screen after about 500 readings, your meter is functional and the result remains accurate for about 50 more readings but you are advised to change the battery by 20-25 readings.
30 – 60% (glucose strips)
These machines are all non-coding.
The Nexus meters cannot automatically update Daylight saving time. They display 7-, 14-, 21-, 28-, 60- and 90-day averages which you can access from the meter memory; these may change when the date and time are changed.
You can change the settings by accessing the small “Set” button behind the battery panel at the back of your meter.
Results from the Nexus range are plasma calibrated from whole blood.
Replacing the batteries does not affect the test results stored in memory
The new Nexus meters do not have a memory deletion function. When the memory is full, the last result disappears with every new result that is added.
To reduce the chance of infection, never share a lancet or the lancing device with others. Always use a new, sterile lancet that is in date as they are disposable and intended for single use only.
Nexus strips – close the vial immediately after taking out a strip. Use each test strip immediately after taking it out of the vial. Do not use the test strips if they have expired (the expiry date printed on Nexus strips can be up to 18 months from Manufacture).
Control solution – 3 months from opening.
To avoid these diabetic products getting dirt, dust or other contaminants, wash and dry your hands thoroughly before use.
Meter exterior – wipe with a cloth moistened with tap water or a mild cleaning agent (not organic solvents), and then dry with a soft cloth.
Lancing device (this is reusable) – use a mild soap and water to clean the lancing device; do NOT rinse under water, use detergents or place in a dishwasher. Disinfect the AST cap before allowing to air dry.
Registered GlucoRx users are eligible for free/spare batteries, bottles of TaiDoc control solution, blood glucose monitoring diaries, PC link cables, AST caps, lancing devices, carry case, instruction manuals upon request through www.glucorx.co.uk, or by phoning GlucoRx Customer care on 01483 755133.
Feel free to request via GlucoRx Customer care by telephoning 01483 755133 or e-mailing orders@glucorx.co.uk.
GlucoRx is committed to ensuring that your meter(s) and testing requirements are fulfilled and covered by a lifetime warranty.
The system must NOT be used in either of these patient groups.
CONTROL SOLUTION TESTING
Registered GlucoRx users are eligible for free bottle of control solution upon request through this website, or phoning GlucoRx Customer care on 01483 755133.
Control solutions contain a known amount of glucose that reacts with the test strips. By comparing your control solution test results with the expected range printed on the test strip vial label, it is possible to check that the meter and the test strips are working together as a system and that you are performing the test correctly.
You should perform a single test at least once a week to routinely check your meter and test strips, particularly when you:
1. First get your Nexus meter / you want to practice running the test.
2. Drop the meter.
3. Begin using a new vial of test strips, or the strips are exposed to extreme environmental conditions.
4. Suspect that the meter or test strips are not working properly, your results are inaccurate or have blood glucose test results that are not consistent with how you feel.
The range is printed on the test strip pot – Level 2, in mmol/L.
If the result falls outside the specified range, see ‘Problems in Operation’ in your Owner’s manual and repeat the test. If you continue to get out-of-range results, it means your Nexus system may not be working properly. Do NOT test your blood in this case. Check the expiry of the control solution and test strips as well as the Nexus meter for any damage (if it has been dropped or immersed in liquid).
BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST
These are available on prescription from your GP surgery. Alternatively you can purchase extra at a discount from GlucoRx’s sister company online Pharmacy www.pharmacylink.co.uk
The latest ISO 15197:2013 specifies 95% of glucose results must be within ±15% of a reference standard (for results at or above 5.55mmol/L) and within ±0.83mmol/L (for results below 5.55mmol/L). 99.8% results from Nexus fulfil the minimum system accuracy requirements of this ISO standard.
Frequent testing of blood glucose levels allows people with diabetes to take control of their own health, particularly: understanding the effect of medical treatment on their blood glucose; making adjustments in their food intake when increasing physical activity; preventing acute complications such as hypo- and hyperglycemia; knowing when changes in insulin dosage or oral therapy may be needed.
The strips for the Nexus range utilise FAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (GDH-FAD) enzymes for blood glucose measurements. GDH-FAD technology, the most advanced enzyme system, avoids interference from blood oxygen variations and can be applied to capillary and venous blood samples. These GDH-FAD strips have no significant reactivity to any non-glucose sugars (i.e. maltose) at therapeutic or physiological levels.
The GlucoRx Original Test Strips utilise glucose oxidase (GOD) enzymes for blood glucose measure-ment, and are for use with the GlucoRx Original TD-4230 blood glucose meter only which is no longer promoted.
The GlucoRx Nexus Test Strips utilise FAD-dependant glucose dehydrogenase (GDH-FAD) enzymes for blood glucose measurement, and can only be used for the Nexus range – Nexus TD-4277, Nexus mini TD-4287 and Nexus Voice TD-4280 blood glucose meters.
Both these test strips have different enzyme technologies and are NOT interchangeable.
The Nexus blood glucose meters are suitable for patients on Peritoneal dialysis; – The Test strips for these machines use GDH-FAD enzyme technology which has no reactivity to any sugars (other than glucose) such as Maltose (which is what icodextrin is converted to).
You should always consult your Diabetes care team to determine a target range that works best for you. Normal blood glucose range for people with diabetes: Fasting and before meal – 4 to 7 mmol/L 3 hours after meals – less than 9 mmol/L. *Source Diabetes UK. Blood glucose target. Balance: No.234, 2010 April. P.69. For some people, such as children or those at risk of hypoglycaemia, the recommended guidelines may be broadened.
Ensure the blood sample completely fills the confirmation window of the test strip, check the test strips have not expired, do a control solution test and even repeat with strip from another pot/batch. Consult your diabetic nurse if results continue to be too high or low.
There are many factors affecting blood glucose monitoring and accuracy which GlucoRx educates its dispensing surgeries on, namely correct meter calibration, hand washing, blood sampling tech-nique/quality, meter and strip storage/usage (temperature, humidity), and certain medications taken by the user. Please find further details on http://www.glucorx.co.uk/diabetes/blood-glucose-monitoring/
Try adjusting the 6 depth settings on your GlucoRx Lancing device.
The Nexus systems enable testing on the palm, forearm and upper arm. Use the clear cap included in the kit when setting the lancing device. Only do AST in a pre-meal or fasting state (more than 2 hours since last meal); two hours or more after taking insulin; two hours or more after exercise.
In diabetics, the buildup of ketones (chemicals produced in the liver from the breakdown of fat) is a sign of very poor diabetes control. An excess of ketones can cause ketoacidosis. The Nexus TD-4277 and Nexus Voice TD-4280 machines display a ketone warning (not actual ketone reading) over 15mmol/L if they believe the user needs to get their ketone levels checked at the Doctors.
There are no rules about how often one should test as different people will have different regimes. Test as many times as it takes to feel confident about your blood glucose control, however, not everyone may be happy testing several times a day and some may not be prescribed enough test strips.
It is advisable to test either side of meals, once before eating and again after the meal to gauge how different meals affect your sugar levels. It is a good idea to test before and after sleep until you have a good idea of whether your sugar levels are rising, falling or stabilising overnight.
1. Install the GlucoRx Healthcare Management system on your PC using weblink: http://www.glucorx.co.uk/products/software/. This is compatible with Windows based programmes but not Apple Mac.
2. Connect one end of the interface cable (obtained from GlucoRx Customer care team) to a serial port on your PC, and the other end to the data port of the meter (should be switched off).
3. “PC” should appear on screen.
4. Follow the instructions provided in the software to transmit data.
5. Remove cable when done and your meter should automatically switch off.
If you have problems with this process, repeat the installation and also try downloading on another computer.
Self-testing of blood sugar at home gives your blood sugar level at the exact time of the test. The HbA1c test is done at your doctor’s office. It shows your average blood sugar over a sustained period of time, usually 90 days.
GlucoRx HCT Range
This FAQ covers the GlucoRx HCT range. For specific information on GlucoRx HCT Blood Glucose Monitoring System, please see Owner’s manual.
METER SYSTEM
GlucoRx is committed to ensuring that your meter(s) and testing requirements are fulfilled and covered by a lifetime warranty.
Feel free to request via GlucoRx Customer care by telephoning 01483 755133 or e-mailing orders@glucorx.co.uk.
Registered GlucoRx users are eligible for free/spare batteries, control key, blood glucose monitoring diaries, PC link cables, AST caps, lancing devices, carry case, instruction manuals upon request through www.glucorx.co.uk, or by phoning GlucoRx Customer care on 01483 755133.
To avoid these diabetic products getting dirt, dust or other contaminants, wash and dry your hands thoroughly before use.
Meter exterior – wipe with a cloth moistened with tap water or a mild cleaning agent (not organic solvents), and then dry with a soft/clean cloth.
Lancing device (this is reusable) – use a mild soap and water to clean the lancing device; do NOT rinse under water, use detergents or place in a dishwasher. Disinfect the AST cap before allowing to air dry.
Operating conditions: 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°F), below 85% R.H. (non-condensing)
Meter Storage / Transportation conditions: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F), below 95% R.H.
Strip Storage / Transportation conditions: 2°C to 32°C (35.6°F to 89.6°F) for glucose test strip and 2°C to 30°C (35.6°F to 86°F) for β-ketone test strip, below 85% R.H.
GlucoRx HCT Glucose Test Strips – Each box of 50x strips has up to 12 months expiry (6 months per pot of 25 strips once opened).
GlucoRx HCT Ketone Test Strips – 18 months expiry, or until individual foil pack opened.
To reduce the chance of infection, never share a lancet or the lancing device with others. Always use a new, sterile lancet that is in date as they are disposable and intended for single use only.
The GlucoRx HCT & Ketone meter does not have a memory deletion function. When the memory is full, the last result disappears with every new result that is added. With HCT Connect, your smart phone can show unlimited readings.
Replacing the batteries does not affect the test results stored in memory.
When this low battery symbol warning is displayed on screen after about 500 readings, your meter is functional and the result remains accurate for about 50 more readings but you are advised to change the battery by 20-25 readings.
Results are plasma calibrated from whole blood.
0 – 70% (glucose strips); 10 – 70% (ketone strips).
With this meter system, the glucose test is non-coding. A simple coding step is only required with the ketone test/strips.
Once the user receives their kit, the meter is already pre-coded and does not require coding to use the one ketone strip enclosed within. Every additional box of 10x GlucoRx HCT Ketone tests strips encloses a ketone code chip, which has to first be inserted in the meter when the user wants to test their ketones. The code displayed on the meter/phone screen from this code chip must match that printed on the foil packaging of the enclosed ketone strips, before ketone measurement can commence with a ketone test strip from that box.
Ketone coding needs to be performed thereafter with every code chip enclosed in successive boxes of ketone strips used.
The GlucoRx HCT & Ketone meter cannot automatically update Daylight saving time. It displays 7-, 14, 21-, 28-, 60- and 90-day averages which you can access from the meter memory; these may change when the date and time are changed.
You can change the settings by accessing the small “Set” button behind the battery panel at the back of your meter.
The blood glucose test strip can be used for the testing of newborns.
The β-ketone test strip must NOT be used for the testing of newborns.
When using both glucose and ketone strips, altitudes of up to 10,742 feet (3,275m) do not affect test results (this information is stated in the individual strip inserts).
BLOOD GLUCOSE/KETONE TEST
Self-testing of blood sugar at home gives your blood sugar level at the exact time of the test. The HbA1c test is done at your doctor’s office. It shows your average blood sugar over a sustained period of time, usually 90 days.
- Install the GlucoRx Healthcare Management system on your PC using weblink: http://www.glucorx.co.uk/our-products/software/. This is compatible with Windows based programmes.
- Connect one end of the interface cable (obtained from GlucoRx Customer care team) to a serial port on your PC, and the other end to the data port of the meter (should be switched off).
- “PC” should appear on screen.
- Follow the instructions provided in the software to transmit data.
- Remove cable when done and your meter should automatically switch off.
If you have problems with this process, repeat the installation and also try downloading on another computer.
These are available on prescription from your GP surgery. Alternatively you can purchase extra at a discount from GlucoRx’s sister company online Pharmacy http://www.pharmacylink.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=glucorx
There are no rules about how often one should test as different people will have different regimes. Test as many times as it takes to feel confident about your blood glucose control, however, not everyone may be happy testing several times a day and some may not be prescribed enough test strips.
It is advisable to test either side of meals, once before eating and again after the meal to gauge how different meals affect your sugar levels. It is a good idea to test before and after sleep until you have a good idea of whether your sugar levels are rising, falling or stabilising overnight.
In diabetics, the buildup of ketones (chemicals produced in the liver from the breakdown of fat) is a sign of very poor diabetes control. An excess of ketones can cause ketoacidosis. The GlucoRx HCT system displays a ketone warning over 15mmol/L if it believes the user then needs to do a ketone test.
The GlucoRx HCT system enables AST with the ketone test only on fingertips/palm. Use the clear cap included in the kit when setting the lancing device. Only do AST in a pre-meal or fasting state (more than 2 hours since last meal); two hours or more after taking insulin; two hours or more after exercise.
Try adjusting the 6 depth settings on your GlucoRx Lancing device.
Select the puncture site either on your finger or other body parts (AST). Choose a different spot for each test as repeated puncture in the same areas may cause soreness and callouses. Clean the site with warm water and let it air-dry completely before pricking. Improve blood flow to the site by warming it and gently massaging. Press the lancing device firmly against your skin. Gently squeeze the punctured area, discard the first drop of blood and obtain at least 1.0µL of blood from the purer sample that emerges from underneath; do NOT smear it.
There are many factors affecting blood glucose monitoring and accuracy which GlucoRx educates its dispensing surgeries on, namely correct meter calibration, hand washing, blood sampling technique/quality, meter and strip expiry/storage/usage (temperature, humidity), and certain medications taken by the user. Please find further details here.
Ensure the blood sample completely fills the confirmation window of the test strip, check the test strips have not expired, do a control test and even repeat with strip from another pot/batch. Consult your diabetic nurse if results continue to be too high or low.
You should always consult your Diabetes care team to determine a target range that works best for you.
Normal blood glucose range for people with diabetes (Source Diabetes UK. Blood glucose target. Balance: No.234, 2010 April. P.69):
Fasting and before meal – 4 to 7 mmol/L
2 hours after meals – less than 9 mmol/L.
For some people, such as children or those at risk of hypoglycaemia, the recommended guidelines may be broadened.
Ketone reading (Source: adapted from Information provided in The Balance Guide to Meds & Kit, 2011 – 2012, p15)
Below 0.6mmol/L – Normal blood ketone level
Between 0.6 and 1.5 mmol/L – More ketones are being produced than normal; contact your Diabetes healthcare team for advice.
Above 1.5mmol/L – Risk of Diabetic ketoacidosis; call your Diabetes healthcare team immediately.
Typical Haematocrit (Source: www.emedicinehealth.com):
Newborns: 55-68%
1 year olds: 29-41%
10 year olds: 36-40%
Adult men: 42-54%
General Haemoglobin results (Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003645.htm):
Newborn: 14 to 24 g/dL
Infant: 9.5 to 13 g/dL
Male: 13.8 to 17.2 g/dL
Female: 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL
The β-Ketone test measures Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (ß -OHB), the most important of the three β-Ketone bodies in the blood.
The GlucoRx HCT system is suitable for patients on Peritoneal dialysis; – The Test strips for this machine uses GDH-FAD enzyme technology which has no reactivity to any non-glucose sugars such as Maltose (which is what icodextrin is converted to).
GDH-FAD technology, the most advanced enzyme system, avoids interference from blood oxygen variations and can be applied to capillary and venous blood samples. These GDH-FAD strips have no significant reactivity to any non-glucose sugars (i.e. maltose) at therapeutic or physiological levels.
GlucoRx HCT glucose test strips use advanced GDH-FAD enzyme technology with 2+2 (AC and DC) Bio Signal. AC signal works to provide the haematocrit result, and DC calculates glucose.
Device then corrects glucose level according to haematocrit value.
The latest ISO 15197:2013 specifies 95% of glucose results must be within ±15% of a reference standard (for results at or above 5.55mmol/L) and within ±0.83mmol/L (for results below 5.55mmol/L). 100% results from GlucoRx HCT & Ketone meter fulfil the system accuracy requirements of this ISO standard.
Frequent testing of blood glucose levels allows people with diabetes to take control of their own health, particularly: understanding the effect of medical treatment on their blood glucose; making adjustments in their food intake when increasing physical activity; preventing acute complications such as hypo- and hyperglycemia; knowing when changes in insulin dosage or oral therapy may be needed.
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