Description

The RapiChek HomeCare – Atlas Diabetes Check home diabetes test kit contains urine dip test strips and is used to check glucose and ketone levels in urine samples to aid in the diagnosis of diabetes. The test gives a result by visual comparison with the colour scale printed on the box. Each colour indicates the range of glucose and ketone concentrations.

INTRODUCTION:
Diabetes is a common disease caused by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. This condition is called hyperglycaemia and is caused by reduced insulin secretion or action. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. The main role of this hormone is to regulate blood sugar levels.

There are two types of diabetes: type I and type II. Type I (the so-called insulin-dependent type) is characterised by an absolute lack of insulin production. A II. type 2 (non-insulin-dependent type) is characterised by a relative lack of insulin, which means that insulin is produced in smaller amounts or does not work properly. As the glucose level in the blood rises beyond the kidney’s capacity, it starts to show up in the urine. Therefore, measuring the presence of glucose in urine can be used as a tool to monitor diabetes. People with diabetes are more prone to developing certain complications, such as retinopathy (abnormal retina), blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage and circulatory problems, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. Therefore, recognising glucose levels and seeking medical help early if necessary can help prevent these symptoms from developing.

When diabetes is diagnosed, doctors always recommend checking ketones to further confirm the presence of diabetes. Ketones are groups of organic compounds that are formed during the metabolism of fatty acids. Non-diabetics use glucose for energy, but in diabetics glucose does not reach the cells, so the cells use fatty acids for energy instead. The less glucose the cells take up (such as in more advanced diabetes), the more fatty acids they consume, and the more ketones are produced. This condition is called diabetic ketoacidosis. As ketone levels increase in the blood, they start to appear in the urine.

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COLLECTION AND PREPARATION OF SAMPLES:
Take a fresh urine sample in a clean, dry, disposable container. Make sure that there are no traces of detergent on the tank. Test the urine as soon as possible after collection.

PROCEDURE:
To obtain reliable test results, this procedure MUST be strictly followed.
1. Remove the test strip from the pouch. Get to know both the ketone and glucose reaction sites. The white
reaction area is for ketones and the green area is for glucose. Also check out the colour chart on the box.
2. Immerse the test strip in the urine until the reaction areas are completely covered, up to 1 second.
3. Remove the dipstick from the urine and tap the test strip on the rim of the cup to remove excess urine, then insert the dipstick into the urine sample.
horizontally, with the reaction areas facing upwards.
4. Leave the strip for 30-60 seconds to allow the reaction to take place.
5. Read the results by comparing the colour of the reaction on the strip with the colour of the table. While comparing, keep the strip in a horizontal position to avoid possible mixing of colours between the two reaction areas of the strip.
6. Identify the best colour match and the appropriate concentration range on the colour chart. A change in colour only at the edges of the reaction area indicates that the reaction has not taken place correctly, so it is recommended to repeat the test with another strip. Results read after 60 seconds are not valid.