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Question:

From New Hampshire, USA:

How do glucometers work?

Answer:

Most glucometers still work by spreading a drop of blood on a piece of filter paper impregnated with the enzyme glucose oxidase. This converts the blood glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The change in acidity or hydrion concentration that occurs at this time changes the colour of an indicator. This in turn can be detected by a change in the intensity and wavelength of a reflected light beam.

An alternative approach is to measure the change in hydrogen ion concentration or pH amperometrically (that is, by measuring the voltage change in a current passed through the blood sample).

DOB

Original posting 8 Apr 1999
Posted to Blood Tests and Insulin Injections

  
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Last Updated: Sun Jan 15 12:25:08 2006
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