OneTouch Ultra Control Solution, Vials, Pack of 2

I read some other reviews of people complaining about bad accuracy. They don't understand what the handheld glucose meter is, or how it is supposed to be calibrated. So let me enlighten you about how it REALLY works.The meter houses the battery and all the circuitry that does the math. Plain and simple. Then the test strips are composed of a chemical sensor (specifically targeting L-Glucose) and an electrical adapter that sends that sensor signal to the meter. This control solution is just a mixture of L-Glucose and some stabilizers that is made in BIG batches in a lab somewhere, it is used to check to make sure all the electronics are working properly, the test strips are from a good batch, and the meter's internal calculator is still accurate. That's all it's for.So this solution is "perfectly at" 0.11% L-glucose (I'm not sure if that's percent by volume or percent by weight though). The number printed on the test strip bottle that shows the "control range" is about 40 mg/dL wide. Typically the range is from 115 to 155 or something like that. What that shows is that the "actual" value that those test strip batch was reading when they tested 1% of the entire batch randomly at the manufacturing facility is in the center of that range (135 mg/dL). But because of the fact that the sensors on these are NOT VERY GOOD, and human blood has a lot of factors that might interfere with an actual measurement a bit, the strip/meter combination has an INHERENT INACCURACY of 15% of whatever value is shown on the meter's screen during a test. So if the screen shows 135, then the ACTUAL AMOUNT of glucose in the sample might be anywhere between 115 and 155.Yeah, that's not very good, when you consider that "fasting" level is 95 and "after eating" level is 145. Might be hard to say for sure if your level is a little bit high or a little bit low. BUT THESE SYSTEMS ARE CHEAP AND PORTABLE - THAT IS WHY WE USE THEM AT HOME EVERY DAY. If you want more accurate results, you have to go to a real lab, where they have a big machine to separate the components of the blood, another big machine to analyze the different components of the blood, and high-powered computers to do the math. All of that is SLOW AND EXPENSIVE, which is why they tell you if your numbers look off, go get a test at a lab. Because lab tests are BETTER ACCURACY but not practical for doing twice daily testing.So the whole handheld system is a tradeoff. You lose some accuracy compared to the lab's testing setup, but in exchange you gain portability and affordability and ease of use. ANY brand of control solution or test strips will have the same 15% inaccuracy, the same 40 mg/L "control range" because of the technology involved and the complexity of human blood as a sampling matrix.Bottom line: these solutions are FINE. They work the way they SHOULD, as long as you use it according to the instructions. Make sure to do a control test on your meter and strips using the control solution at least once every two weeks, and discard any unused OPEN solution and strips 3 months after opening the bottle. What's extra nice about this particular kit is you get TWO bottles basically for the price of one. So you can have one open bottle that lasts 3 months, and the second bottle to use for the NEXT three months after that. Six months of solution in one box. Very nice.

Overall shipping and condition of product was great, but I was a bit disappointed that the expiration date for both bottles is only 10 months away.

Is accurate and easy to use

Great value for the money.

OneTouch Ultra Glucose Control Solution works with test strips designed for One Touch UltraSmart, OneTouch Ultra2, and OneTouch Ultra Mini blood glucose monitors. It is necessary to make sure your meter and test strips give you accurate and consistent blood glucose readings. You should use the control solution once a week; every time you open a new vial of test strips; and if you drop your meter.The control solution works very well. You use it by applying it to a test strip in your meter with the meter set to "Apply Control" mode. When the meter finishes the test, it will give you a reading that should fall within the range shown on the vial of test strips you are using. If it does, this indicates the meter and test strips are within manufacturer's tolerances; if not, either the test strips or the meter are not working properly.Highly recommended.

I have been using Lifescan meters for years and love the reliability of their product and their excellent customer service. This company stands behind their products 100% and are available 24/7 year round for any questions you have or problems you run in to. Hence, I follow the directions for my Lifescan meter and use this glucose control solution to check each time I open a new bottle of test strips to make sure my test strips are within the control range noted on the test stripe bottle (also check the expiration dates on the solution container and the test strips). If you have any problems, just call customer service (phone number can be found on the back of your meter) and they will be there for you. I can trust my blood sugar readings b/c I do faithfully use this glucose solution to test my strips as directed.

Not so much.

I knew what to expect of the product. Satisfied with the expiration date. Arrived ahead of time.