Diabetes Glucose Test Strip Recall Issued Due to False Low Readings

Abbott Laboratories has issued a recall for about 359 glucose test strips sold under a variety of brand names, such as Precision Xceed Pro, Precision Xtra, MediSense Optium, Optium, Optium EZ and ReliOn Ultima. The blood-sugar test strips may provide a false low reading, posing a potential health risk for diabetics.

The diabetes glucose test strip recall was announced by the FDA and Abbott on Wednesday, warning diabetics who use the devices to test their blood sugar levels, that the test strips may provide false low readings.

Test strips affected by the recall were manufactured between January 2010 and May 2010, and were used with the following blood glucose monitoring systems:

• Precision Xtra
• Precision Xceed Pro
• MediSense Optium
• Optium
• Optium EZ
• ReliOn Ultima

Problems with the blood glucose test strips involve a defect that limits the amount of blood that is absorbed by each strip, which may lead to false results. According to the FDA, the risk of a false low reading is increased if the blood sugar test strips are exposed to warm weather or stored for long periods of time.

Diabetes patients rely on the readings from the test strips to monitor their blood sugar levels. If a false low reading from the test strip is given, it may cause consumers to unnecessarily raise their blood glucose or to fail to treat elevated blood glucose.

Abbott has offered to replace any of the recalled glucose test strips. To determine whether a test strip is affected by the recall, consumers can contact Abbott Diabetes Care at 1-800-448-5234 or visit www.precisionoptiuminfo.com to look up test strip lot numbers.

Individuals who are impacted by the glucose test strip recall have been advised to use an alternate method to measure blood sugar levels or to purchase at least two weeks worth of new test strips while they wait for free replacements to be provided by Abbott.

The FDA has also recommended that diabetes patients monitor the amount of time it takes to for their blood-glucose meter to start the “countdown” after blood is applied to the test strip. If the meter takes longer than five (5) seconds to start the countdown, the test strip is likely defective and the results should not be used. Also, if the reading from a strip is lower than would be expected or does not match the way a diabetes patient feels, the FDA has recommended that they contact their health care provider.