Learning how to check your blood glucose at home can feel confusing when you are doing it for the first time. You may wonder where to place the test strip, how much blood is needed, which finger to use, what the numbers mean, and what to do if the meter displays an unexpected result.
The good news is that once you understand the routine, checking blood glucose with a meter can become a simple part of everyday diabetes care.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite Blood Glucose Monitoring System is a blood glucose meter designed to help people with diabetes monitor glucose using a small blood sample. Abbott provides specific instructions for the FreeStyle Freedom Lite meter, and the manufacturer recommends using the meter with the appropriate FreeStyle Lite test strips and FreeStyle control solution.
This guide explains how to use FreeStyle Freedom Lite blood glucose monitoring system in straightforward language. It covers preparation, meter setup, test-strip handling, lancing, collecting a blood sample, obtaining a reading, reviewing stored results, control-solution testing, cleaning, troubleshooting, safety precautions, and common mistakes.
The goal is not simply to explain which button to press. It is to help you build a testing routine that is comfortable, consistent, and easier to understand.
Important medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace the instructions supplied with your meter, test strips, or lancing device, or advice from your doctor, pharmacist, diabetes educator, or other qualified healthcare professional. Follow the instructions for your specific FreeStyle Freedom Lite system and your individual diabetes-care plan.
If you need the short version, the usual testing process looks like this:
Abbott’s documentation describes the FreeStyle Freedom Lite as an in-vitro blood glucose monitoring system and specifies compatible FreeStyle Lite test strips and FreeStyle control solution.
The exact procedure should always be checked against the owner’s booklet supplied with your particular device.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite is a blood glucose monitoring system used to measure glucose in a blood sample.
Unlike a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which uses a sensor to provide ongoing glucose information, a traditional blood glucose meter requires you to obtain a blood sample and test it using a disposable strip.
The basic system includes several important components:
The meter contains the electronics that analyze the blood sample. The test strip provides the surface where the blood sample is applied.
The lancing device helps obtain the small blood sample needed for testing.
The lancet is the sterile, single-use component used with the lancing device.
Understanding these parts makes the process less intimidating. You do not need to memorize everything at once. Once you have performed a few tests correctly, the routine generally becomes much more familiar.
A glucose meter gives you a number, but that number is only useful when the test is performed correctly.
Something as simple as testing with unwashed hands can potentially affect the result. Food, drinks, or other substances on your fingers may contaminate the sample.
The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and warm water and drying them well before testing. It also recommends tracking results and disposing of used lancets and strips appropriately.
The FDA similarly emphasizes correct handwashing, compatible test strips, proper storage, and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
This is why good technique is not about being overly careful. It is about making your readings more useful.
Before beginning your test, place your supplies somewhere clean and convenient.
You will generally need:
This is the electronic device that displays and stores your blood glucose results.
The test strip is inserted into the meter and receives the blood sample.
This device helps you obtain a blood sample.
A new sterile lancet should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
This can be useful after testing.
Used lancets should be disposed of safely according to local requirements and your healthcare professional’s recommendations.
Although the meter can store results, maintaining notes can help you recognize patterns.
You may also want to keep your diabetes medication plan nearby if your healthcare professional has instructed you to take action based on certain glucose readings.
This is one of the most important steps in learning how to use FreeStyle Freedom Lite blood glucose monitoring system.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Then dry them completely.
Do not skip the drying step.
Water left on your fingers can dilute the blood sample. More importantly, substances such as food residue or sugar can potentially affect a glucose reading.
The CDC specifically recommends washing and drying your hands before each blood glucose test.
If your hands are cold, you may have difficulty getting enough blood. Warming your hands before washing them may help improve circulation to your fingertips.
Think:
Wash → Dry → Test
This three-step habit can make your testing routine more consistent.
Use your lancing device according to its instructions.
A typical preparation process involves:
The correct depth varies from person to person.
If the setting is too shallow, you may not obtain enough blood.
If it is unnecessarily deep, the fingerstick may be more uncomfortable than it needs to be.
Start with the setting recommended by the lancing-device instructions and adjust only as needed.
Remove one test strip from its container.
Close the container promptly if your strips are supplied in a vial.
Test strips are sensitive medical supplies and should be stored according to their manufacturer’s instructions. Heat, humidity, moisture, and improper storage can affect test-strip performance.
Before using a strip, check that:
Do not assume that a test strip from another glucose meter will work simply because it physically looks similar.
Abbott specifically states that the FreeStyle Freedom Lite meter should be used with FreeStyle Lite test strips and FreeStyle control solution. Other products can produce inaccurate results.
Insert the test strip into the meter as directed in the owner’s booklet.
The meter powers on when the strip is inserted.
When the meter starts, pay attention to the display.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite documentation describes a system-check screen that appears when the meter turns on. You should verify that the display matches the expected screen described in the manual. If it does not, the manufacturer advises not using the meter until the issue is addressed.
This quick check is easy to overlook, but it is part of using the device correctly.
After inserting the test strip, the meter will indicate when it is ready for the blood sample.
Look for the blood-drop symbol or other testing prompt described in your owner’s booklet.
Do not apply blood before the meter is ready.
Waiting for the correct prompt helps ensure that the testing sequence starts properly.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite system supports blood glucose testing from certain approved sites, including the fingers and, depending on the system instructions, alternative sites such as the hand, forearm, upper arm, thigh, and calf.
However, alternative-site testing is not appropriate in every situation.
The manufacturer’s instructions warn that fingertip testing is recommended when testing for hypoglycemia or when someone has hypoglycemia unawareness.
The FDA also explains that alternative-site readings can be less reliable when glucose is changing rapidly, such as after eating, after insulin, during exercise, or when a person is ill or under stress.
If:
follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use a fingertip sample when appropriate.
If you are unsure whether alternative-site testing is right for you, speak with your healthcare professional.
Place the prepared lancing device against the selected testing area.
If testing your finger, many people find the side of the fingertip more comfortable than repeatedly using the center.
Press the release button according to your lancing device instructions.
A small blood drop should form.
Avoid repeatedly squeezing your finger forcefully.
The FDA notes that squeezing the finger can affect the sample and recommends allowing blood to flow rather than aggressively squeezing the fingertip.
If you do not get enough blood:
Do not repeatedly puncture the same area unnecessarily.
Once the meter indicates that it is ready, bring the blood sample to the appropriate sample area of the FreeStyle Lite test strip.
Allow the strip to draw in the blood as designed.
Do not smear blood across the strip.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite system is designed to use a small blood sample. Abbott documentation describes a tiny sample requirement for the system.
The important point is to provide the amount and application method specified by the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not add additional blood simply because you are uncertain.
If the meter indicates that the sample was insufficient or an error occurs, follow the troubleshooting instructions and, when necessary, repeat the test with a new strip.
After the blood sample is accepted, the meter processes it.
The result should appear on the screen after the testing sequence is complete.
The result may be displayed in the unit configured for your meter, such as mg/dL.
Do not immediately panic if a number looks different from what you expected.
One reading is a piece of information, not your entire health story.
However, unexpected or concerning readings should be taken seriously and managed according to your healthcare professional’s instructions.
Even though the meter can store readings, maintaining a simple record can be useful.
You may record:
For example:
| Time | Situation | Glucose | Notes |
| 7:30 AM | Before breakfast | 112 mg/dL | Slept normally |
| 1:00 PM | Before lunch | 128 mg/dL | Normal lunch planned |
| 8:00 PM | After dinner | 154 mg/dL | 2-hour reading |
Your healthcare professional can help you decide what information is most useful.
The CDC recommends tracking blood glucose results because patterns can help you and your healthcare team understand how food, medication, physical activity, and other factors affect your glucose.
After completing the test, remove the used strip from the meter.
Dispose of it appropriately.
Do not save used strips for another test.
Test strips are designed for their intended single-use testing procedure.
Remove and dispose of the used lancet according to your local requirements and your healthcare professional’s recommendations.
Never leave used lancets where children, pets, or other people could accidentally come into contact with them.
Most importantly, never share lancets or fingerstick devices with another person.
The CDC specifically advises not sharing blood glucose monitoring equipment, especially lancets.
Before routine testing, you should become familiar with the meter’s settings.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite owner’s booklet includes settings for items such as sound, time, date, and reminder alarms.
A correct date and time are important because stored glucose results become much more useful when you know exactly when they were obtained.
The meter provides sound options.
Depending on your model and instructions, you can adjust the sound level or choose a quieter setting.
The owner’s booklet explains how to use the meter’s buttons to move through the available sound settings and save your selection.
If you have difficulty hearing the meter, consider discussing the device’s features with your healthcare professional or supplier.
Accurate date and time settings help organize your stored glucose results.
If the time or date is incorrect, your historical readings may be difficult to interpret.
Use the meter’s setup instructions to configure:
The exact button sequence should be followed from the owner’s booklet supplied with your meter.
The meter includes buttons used to navigate settings and stored results.
The owner’s booklet identifies controls such as:
You do not need to memorize every function immediately.
Start by becoming comfortable with the basic routine:
Insert strip → obtain blood → apply blood → read result → remove strip.
One useful feature of the FreeStyle Freedom Lite system is its ability to retain previous test results.
The meter’s memory can help you review your testing history.
The owner’s information describes memory functions that allow users to review previous results and associated dates/times.
Reviewing your history can help you notice patterns such as:
However, do not independently change insulin or other diabetes medications simply because you see a pattern.
Medication adjustments should be discussed with your healthcare professional.
One of the hardest parts of learning how to use FreeStyle Freedom Lite blood glucose monitoring system is understanding what the number means.
The meter gives you a measurement.
Your healthcare professional helps determine what that measurement means for you.
There is no single target range that is appropriate for every person.
Your goals may depend on:
The CDC notes that target ranges can differ between people and recommends following the individualized range provided by your healthcare professional.
For many nonpregnant adults with diabetes, the CDC lists common targets of 80–130 mg/dL before meals and below 180 mg/dL one to two hours after starting a meal, but these are general targets and are not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
First, stay calm.
If a result is unexpectedly high:
A glucose meter is a tool for monitoring—not a substitute for professional evaluation.
If you have been given a specific sick-day or high-glucose plan, follow that plan.
Low blood glucose can require prompt attention.
If you believe you may have hypoglycemia, follow the treatment plan given to you by your healthcare professional.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite documentation specifically recommends fingertip testing when testing for low blood glucose or when someone has hypoglycemia unawareness.
If the reading seems inconsistent with your symptoms, repeat testing according to your meter instructions and seek appropriate medical guidance.
If you experience severe symptoms such as loss of consciousness, seizure, severe confusion, or inability to safely treat yourself, emergency medical assistance may be necessary.
Blood glucose is not a fixed number.
It can change because of:
Carbohydrates can raise blood glucose after eating.
Exercise can affect glucose levels, sometimes lowering them.
Insulin and other diabetes medications can change glucose levels.
Physical or emotional stress may influence blood glucose.
Infections and other illnesses can alter glucose levels.
Poor sleep or changes in your normal schedule may influence glucose management.
A reading before breakfast is not directly comparable with a reading taken shortly after a meal.
This is why keeping context alongside your numbers can be helpful.
This is one of the simplest mistakes to prevent.
Suppose you eat fruit and immediately perform a fingerstick without washing your hands.
Sugar residue on your fingers could contaminate the sample.
The result might not reflect your actual blood glucose level.
The solution is simple:
Wash. Dry. Test.
The CDC and FDA both emphasize proper handwashing before blood glucose testing.
A test strip may look like another brand’s strip, but that does not mean it is compatible.
For the FreeStyle Freedom Lite system, use the test strips specified by Abbott for that meter.
Abbott specifically warns that other test strips or control solutions can produce inaccurate results.
Do not use test strips that are expired, damaged, or improperly stored.
The FDA advises checking test-strip packaging and avoiding damaged or expired strips.
If your strips have been exposed to excessive heat, humidity, moisture, or other unsuitable conditions, check the manufacturer’s instructions before relying on them.
If your strips are supplied in a vial, close the container promptly after removing a strip.
Moisture and humidity can affect test strips.
The CDC and FDA both recommend appropriate test-strip storage and keeping containers closed.
A good habit is:
Open → Remove one strip → Close immediately.
Sometimes a person gets a very small blood drop and tries to spread it over the test strip.
That can lead to testing problems.
Instead:
Do not excessively squeeze the finger.
The FDA notes that insufficient blood can affect accuracy and advises following the meter’s specific instructions for sample size.
Repeatedly using the same spot can make your fingertips sore.
Consider rotating among suitable fingers.
Using the side of the fingertip can also be more comfortable for many people.
If you experience persistent pain, swelling, redness, or other concerns at testing sites, discuss them with your healthcare professional.
Alternative-site testing may sound appealing because it can reduce discomfort.
However, it is not appropriate in every circumstance.
Blood glucose may change rapidly after:
The FDA recommends fingertip testing in situations where glucose may be changing rapidly or when a low glucose level is suspected.
Always follow your FreeStyle Freedom Lite instructions and your healthcare professional’s advice regarding alternative sites.
This is an important safety point.
A glucose meter gives you information, but medication decisions should be based on your healthcare plan.
Do not change insulin or other medication doses simply because one result is higher or lower than expected unless your healthcare professional has already provided a specific adjustment plan.
The FDA notes that glucose-monitoring results can be used with healthcare professionals to help guide diabetes management.
Control solution testing can help determine whether the meter and test strips are operating properly.
The FDA recommends considering control-solution testing when opening a new container of strips, periodically during use, after dropping the meter, or when you receive unusual results that do not match how you feel.
For the FreeStyle Freedom Lite system, use the FreeStyle control solution specified for the meter.
The basic concept is:
Do not compare a control-solution result with your personal blood glucose target.
It should instead be compared with the control range supplied for that specific strip lot or product.
If the control result falls outside the expected range, do not assume your blood glucose results are reliable until you investigate the issue according to the manufacturer’s troubleshooting instructions.
Consider checking the meter with control solution when:
The FDA specifically recommends control-solution checks in several of these situations.
Taking care of your meter can help preserve its functionality.
Follow the cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Do not use cleaning products that could damage the meter.
Avoid exposing the meter to unnecessary moisture.
Glucose meters and test strips can be affected by environmental conditions.
Keep test strips in their appropriate container and close the container as instructed.
A carrying case can make it easier to keep the meter, lancing device, lancets, and strips organized.
Test-strip storage deserves special attention.
Avoid:
The FDA explains that improper storage of meters and test strips can reduce reliability, and the CDC warns that moisture, humidity, and extreme temperatures can damage strips.
Always follow the storage conditions supplied with your particular strips.
A home blood glucose meter should not be treated as a standalone diagnostic tool.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite documentation states that the system is intended to assist with monitoring diabetes control and is not intended for diagnosis or screening of diabetes.
If you believe you may have diabetes or prediabetes, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
A healthcare professional can determine which laboratory tests and clinical evaluation are appropriate.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite is a traditional blood glucose meter.
A CGM works differently.
A traditional meter:
A CGM:
These are different technologies.
Neither should be used outside its intended instructions.
If you use a CGM and also need a blood glucose meter, follow the instructions provided for your particular devices.
There is no universal testing schedule for everyone.
How often you test may depend on:
The CDC recommends following the testing schedule provided by your healthcare professional.
Some people may need several tests per day, while others may have a different schedule.
Do not copy another person’s testing schedule without professional guidance.
A healthcare professional may ask you to test before meals.
This can provide information about your glucose level before food affects it.
If your healthcare professional has given you specific pre-meal targets, use those targets.
Some people are instructed to check glucose after meals.
The timing matters.
A reading taken 30 minutes after eating is not directly comparable with one taken two hours after eating.
When recording a post-meal result, note the timing so that your healthcare professional can interpret the information correctly.
Illness can affect blood glucose.
If you have diabetes and become sick, your healthcare professional may recommend checking glucose more frequently.
Your healthcare team may also give you a sick-day plan covering:
Follow the plan provided specifically for you.
Some glucose meters may display special messages when glucose is outside the meter’s measurable range.
The FDA notes that glucose meters can display messages such as “LO” or “HI” when a glucose value is beyond the range the meter can measure.
Do not guess what the message means.
Check the FreeStyle Freedom Lite owner’s booklet for the appropriate interpretation and action.
If you receive an unexpected extreme reading, follow your healthcare professional’s instructions and seek urgent medical help if symptoms are severe.
This situation deserves attention.
For example, you may feel symptoms of low blood glucose while a reading appears normal.
Or you may feel completely fine while receiving an unexpectedly high reading.
When the result and your symptoms do not agree:
The FDA specifically advises attention to situations in which meter results do not agree with how you feel.
Modern diabetes care includes many technologies, but traditional blood glucose meters remain useful.
A meter can provide a direct blood glucose measurement when you need one.
It can also help people understand how their glucose responds to:
The most important thing is not simply owning a meter.
It is learning how to use it consistently and correctly.
If testing your fingers is uncomfortable, try these general techniques:
Cold fingers can make it harder to obtain blood.
Many people find this more comfortable.
Avoid repeatedly puncturing the same location.
A deeper puncture is not automatically better.
Let the blood form naturally.
When supplies are easy to find, testing may feel less stressful.
A routine can make diabetes management feel less overwhelming.
For example:
Wash hands, test according to your prescribed schedule, record the result, and continue with your normal morning routine.
Test if your healthcare professional has instructed you to do so.
Test at the prescribed time when required.
Review your readings if appropriate and prepare supplies for the next day.
The exact schedule should come from your healthcare professional.
The important idea is consistency.
Before testing, ask:
This small checklist can be especially helpful when you are learning.
If you are helping an older adult, child, or family member with diabetes, learn the testing process alongside them.
The CDC recommends that another person also learn how to use the meter in case the person with diabetes becomes unable to perform the test independently.
A helpful caregiver can assist with:
However, each person should have their own appropriate monitoring equipment.
Never share fingerstick devices or lancets between people.
Safety should always come before convenience.
Remember these rules:
The FDA and CDC emphasize avoiding sharing blood glucose monitoring equipment and maintaining appropriate testing practices.
A glucose reading can be influenced by more than the meter itself.
Potential factors include:
The FDA notes that conditions such as severe dehydration, anemia, extreme hematocrit, and certain medications or supplements can affect glucose results.
If you have a medical condition or take medications that might interfere with glucose testing, ask your healthcare professional about it.
Do not immediately assume that the meter is broken.
First, check the relevant troubleshooting instructions.
Possible causes can include:
Use the exact error code and troubleshooting section in your FreeStyle Freedom Lite owner’s booklet.
If you cannot resolve the problem, contact the appropriate manufacturer support service or your healthcare professional.
The best way to become confident with a blood glucose meter is practice.
Ask your diabetes educator, nurse, pharmacist, doctor, or other qualified healthcare professional to watch you perform a complete test.
They can check:
The FDA recommends having an experienced glucose-meter user or healthcare professional help you learn proper testing technique.
A five-minute demonstration can eliminate many common mistakes.
Bring your meter to appointments when your healthcare professional recommends it.
Your healthcare team may be able to:
The FDA recommends taking your meter to appointments so your healthcare provider can check your technique and compare readings when appropriate.
Imagine that Maria has been instructed by her healthcare professional to check her glucose before breakfast.
She gets up in the morning and gathers:
She washes her hands with soap and warm water and dries them thoroughly.
She removes one test strip and closes the container.
She inserts the strip into the meter.
The meter starts and performs its system check.
Once the blood-drop prompt appears, Maria prepares her lancing device.
She obtains a small blood drop from the side of her fingertip.
She touches the blood to the appropriate area of the test strip.
The meter processes the sample and displays the result.
Maria records the number along with the date and time.
She removes the used strip and disposes of it appropriately.
She disposes of the used lancet according to her local safety instructions.
The entire process becomes routine.
That is the goal—not perfection, but a repeatable and reliable habit.
If all the technical information feels overwhelming, remember this simple sequence:
Get your meter, strip, lancet, and lancing device.
Wash and dry your hands.
Put the FreeStyle Lite test strip into the meter.
Make sure the meter display and testing prompt are normal.
Use the lancing device.
Let the blood enter the test strip as instructed.
Wait for the meter to display your glucose result.
Write down the result if appropriate.
Safely dispose of the used strip and lancet.
Follow your healthcare professional’s schedule.
That is the foundation of how to use FreeStyle Freedom Lite blood glucose monitoring system.
Choosing and using the right medical supplies can make everyday health routines feel less stressful.
Alfa Healthcare Supply Inc. provides healthcare and medical supply products for individuals, families, caregivers, and healthcare needs.
If you are looking for blood glucose monitoring supplies, diabetic supplies, durable medical equipment, or other home healthcare products, a knowledgeable medical supply provider can help you understand available products and identify supplies that match your needs.
For product availability, compatibility, or specific medical-device questions, always verify the product information and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
It is easy to look at a glucose meter and see only a number.
But behind every reading is a person.
Maybe you are checking your glucose before going to work.
Maybe you are learning how to test after a new diabetes diagnosis.
Maybe you are a parent helping someone you love.
Maybe you have been monitoring your glucose for years and simply want your routine to be easier.
Whatever your situation, the purpose of a glucose meter is to give you useful information that can support better diabetes management.
The number itself does not define you.
It is information that can be interpreted in context.
Your healthcare professional can help you understand patterns, identify concerns, and determine what actions are appropriate.
Before finishing your testing routine, remember these practical tips:
These habits can make home blood glucose monitoring safer, more consistent, and easier to manage.
Learning how to use FreeStyle Freedom Lite blood glucose monitoring system does not have to be intimidating.
The basic process is straightforward: prepare your supplies, wash and dry your hands, insert the correct test strip, obtain a blood sample, apply it correctly, wait for the reading, record the result, and dispose of used materials safely.
The more important lesson is consistency.
Correct technique helps make your readings more useful. Proper storage protects your test strips. Regular record keeping can reveal patterns. And professional guidance helps you understand what those patterns mean for your individual diabetes-care plan.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite owner’s information should remain your primary reference for device-specific operation. Abbott provides official user manuals for the FreeStyle Freedom Lite and other blood glucose monitoring systems.
For general blood glucose monitoring, the CDC and FDA also emphasize clean hands, correct supplies, appropriate testing technique, safe disposal, proper storage, and individualized glucose targets.
If you are new to glucose testing, give yourself time to become comfortable. The first few tests may feel unfamiliar. With practice, the process can become a small, manageable part of your daily routine.
And remember: when you have questions about a glucose result, medication, testing frequency, symptoms, or your diabetes treatment plan, your healthcare professional is the right person to guide you.
Start by washing and drying your hands. Prepare a new FreeStyle Lite test strip and insert it into the meter. Wait for the meter to indicate that it is ready for blood. Use the lancing device to obtain an appropriate blood sample and apply it to the test strip. Wait for the result, record it if appropriate, then safely dispose of the used strip and lancet.
Always follow the owner’s booklet for your specific meter.
Use the FreeStyle Lite test strips specified for the FreeStyle Freedom Lite meter.
Abbott states that using other test strips and control solutions can produce inaccurate results.
Yes.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water and dry them thoroughly before testing.
Food or sugar residue can affect a blood glucose result.
The FreeStyle Freedom Lite system supports certain alternative testing sites according to its instructions. However, alternative-site testing is not appropriate in every situation.
Fingertip testing is especially important when you suspect low glucose or when glucose may be changing rapidly.
Ask your healthcare professional whether alternative-site testing is appropriate for you.
Water can interfere with obtaining a suitable sample and can dilute blood.
More importantly, clean and dry hands reduce the chance that food or other substances on your skin will affect the result.
Possible reasons include cold hands, insufficient lancing depth, or technique.
Warm your hands, check the lancing-device setting, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not excessively squeeze the finger.
Follow the manufacturer’s and your healthcare professional’s instructions regarding lancet use. A new sterile lancet is the safest routine approach for individual testing.
Never share a lancet with another person.
Do not share blood glucose monitoring equipment when it is intended for single-person use.
The FDA and CDC emphasize that sharing fingerstick equipment can create a risk of bloodborne infection.
First, consider whether your hands were clean and dry and whether the strip was correct and properly stored.
Repeat the test with a new strip if appropriate.
If the result continues to be unexpected, contact your healthcare professional or follow your diabetes-care plan.
Only if your healthcare professional has provided you with a specific dosing plan.
Do not independently change insulin or other medications based on one unexpected reading.
Such messages may indicate that the glucose level is outside the meter’s measurable range.
Check the FreeStyle Freedom Lite owner’s booklet for the exact meaning and recommended action.
If the reading is accompanied by serious symptoms, seek urgent medical assistance.
Your healthcare professional should determine your testing schedule.
It can vary depending on diabetes type, medications, insulin use, pregnancy, health status, and other factors.
No.
The system is intended to assist with blood glucose monitoring and is not intended to diagnose or screen for diabetes.
Recording results can help identify patterns and give your healthcare professional useful information.
You may also record meals, exercise, medications, stress, illness, or other factors when relevant.
Control-solution testing can help check whether the meter and strips are operating properly.
The FDA recommends considering control-solution testing when opening a new strip container, periodically during use, after dropping a meter, or when readings appear unusual.
Follow the FreeStyle Freedom Lite instructions for the correct control-solution procedure.
This article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or the official instructions supplied with the FreeStyle Freedom Lite Blood Glucose Monitoring System and FreeStyle Lite test strips.
Always follow the manufacturer’s current instructions for your specific device and consult your physician, pharmacist, diabetes educator, or other qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance. Do not change insulin, diabetes medication, diet, or treatment based solely on information in this article.
If you experience a medical emergency, severe symptoms of high or low blood glucose, loss of consciousness, seizure, severe confusion, difficulty breathing, or another urgent condition, seek emergency medical care.