Knowing when to replace your diabetes supplies is an essential part of effective management, regardless of whether you're living with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or any other form of diabetes. Using worn-out or expired supplies can increase the risk of inaccurate readings and other complications that may make diabetes care more difficult. Here, we'll review how often common diabetes supplies should typically be replaced and tips to help you stay organized with your routine.
Quick Overview: Guide to Replacing Diabetes Supplies
- Diabetes supplies should be replaced on a regular schedule to help support accurate blood glucose readings, reliable insulin delivery, and safer overall diabetes care.
- CGM sensors, infusion sets, lancets, test strips, and insulin pen needles all have different replacement timelines, and following manufacturer recommendations can help reduce device problems and discomfort.
- Using expired or overused diabetes supplies may increase the risk of inaccurate readings, skin irritation, infection, or insulin delivery issues.
- Warning signs like frequent error messages, loose adhesives, leaking supplies, or inconsistent blood sugar readings may indicate that a diabetes supply needs to be replaced sooner.
- Staying organized with reminders, backup supplies, and early refills can help prevent interruptions in diabetes management and ensure you always have the supplies you need.
Why Replacing Diabetes Supplies Matters
Diabetes supplies are designed to work properly and help you with daily management, but they don't last forever. When used beyond their recommended lifespan, they may become less accurate, less comfortable, or less reliable, which can make managing blood sugar levels more difficult.
Accuracy and Blood Sugar Management
Many diabetes supplies directly affect how accurately you monitor blood glucose levels or deliver insulin. Overused continuous glucose monitor sensors may provide inaccurate readings, expired test strips can lead to unreliable blood sugar results, and insulin pump supplies that aren't changed regularly may interfere with insulin absorption. Even small inaccuracies can make it harder to maintain stable blood sugar levels and may increase the risk of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
For example, infusion sets that remain in place too long can develop blockages or irritation at the insertion site, reducing insulin delivery effectiveness. Similarly, worn-out glucose meters or damaged testing supplies may produce inconsistent readings that impact treatment decisions.
Preventing Infection and Skin Irritation
Replacing diabetes supplies on schedule also helps reduce the risk of infection and skin complications. Supplies that repeatedly puncture or remain attached to the skin can introduce bacteria or cause irritation over time. Some of the most common issues associated with overused diabetes supplies include:
- Redness or swelling at insertion sites
- Skin irritation from adhesives
- Increased discomfort during use
- Infection risk from reused needles or lancets
- Scar tissue buildup that affects insulin absorption
Rotating insertion sites and using clean, properly maintained supplies can help protect skin health and improve comfort during daily diabetes care. Therefore, if you use blood glucose monitoring devices that rely on fingerstick measurements, it's important to keep an eye on the skin on your fingertips and replace meters and strips according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Device Longevity and Performance
Diabetes technology is designed with specific replacement timelines to help ensure consistent performance. Following manufacturer guidelines for replacing supplies can help people with diabetes:
- Improve CGM accuracy
- Support reliable insulin delivery
- Reduce device errors and alarms
- Prevent unexpected supply failures
- Improve overall diabetes management consistency
If you notice frequent error messages, inaccurate readings, leaking supplies, or discomfort, it may be a sign that a supply needs to be replaced sooner than expected.
How Often Should You Change Common Diabetes Supplies?
Different diabetes supplies have different replacement schedules depending on the product type and your personal management plan. To help you get a general idea, consider the following guidelines for how often common diabetes products should typically be changed.
Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Sensors
Continuous glucose monitor sensors are designed to be worn for a limited number of days before replacement is needed. The exact lifespan depends on the brand and model. Some common replacement schedules include:
- Dexcom G6 sensors: every 10 days
- Dexcom G7 sensors: approximately every 10 days
- FreeStyle Libre sensors: every 14 to 15 days
- Implantable CGM systems: may last several months, depending on the device
Even if a sensor hasn't reached its official expiration period, it may need to be replaced sooner if you experience:
- Inaccurate glucose readings
- Sensor errors or signal loss
- Loose or peeling adhesive
- Skin irritation around the insertion site
CGM Transmitters
CGM transmitters send glucose data from the sensor to your receiver or smartphone. Unlike sensors, transmitters typically last several months before replacement is needed. For example:
- Dexcom G6 transmitters generally last about 90 days
- Some newer systems combine the sensor and transmitter into a single disposable unit
- Rechargeable systems may have different replacement timelines
Low battery warnings, frequent connection problems, or repeated sensor communication errors may indicate the transmitter needs replacement.
Insulin Pump Infusion Sets
Insulin pump infusion sets are usually changed every two to three days. This includes the cannula or needle inserted under the skin, along with the adhesive dressing holding it in place. Waiting too long to change infusion sets can increase the risk of:
- Infection
- Skin irritation
- Scar tissue buildup
- Poor insulin absorption
- High blood sugar levels caused by insulin delivery problems
Rotating infusion sites regularly can also help prevent lipohypertrophy and improve insulin absorption over time.
Insulin Pump Reservoirs and Tubing
Insulin pump reservoirs and tubing are commonly replaced at the same time as the infusion set, usually every two to three days. Replacing these components regularly helps reduce the risk of:
- Air bubbles in tubing
- Insulin degradation
- Blockages
- Delivery interruptions
If insulin has been exposed to heat or stored improperly, it may need to be replaced sooner.
Blood Glucose Test Strips
Test strips should always be used before their expiration date and stored according to the manufacturer's instructions. Exposure to moisture, humidity, or extreme temperatures can affect accuracy. You should discard test strips if:
- They are expired
- The container has been left open for extended periods
- The strips appear damaged or discolored
- Blood glucose readings seem inconsistent
Using expired test strips may lead to inaccurate readings and poor diabetes management decisions.
Lancets
Lancets are technically designed for single use, meaning they should ideally be replaced after every fingerstick. Changing lancets regularly can help make blood sugar testing more comfortable and hygienic.
Blood Glucose Meters
Blood glucose meters typically last several years if properly maintained, but they should be replaced if they become damaged or stop providing accurate readings. Signs it may be time to replace a glucose meter include:
- Cracked screens or damaged buttons
- Frequent error messages
- Inconsistent readings
- Difficulty calibrating the device
- Outdated technology is incompatible with newer supplies
Routine cleaning and proper storage can help extend the lifespan of your meter.
Insulin Pen Needles and Syringes
Insulin pen needles and syringes are generally intended for single use only. Reusing needles can increase the risk of:
- Painful injections
- Bent or damaged needle tips
- Infection
- Lipohypertrophy (fatty lumps under the skin)
Can You Use Expired Diabetes Supplies?
Using expired diabetes supplies is generally not recommended because of the risks that doing so carries. While some supplies may still appear functional shortly after expiring, manufacturers determine expiration dates based on safety, sterility, and performance testing. To help ensure accurate readings and reliable diabetes care, it’s best to replace expired supplies and contact your healthcare provider or diabetes supply company if you need assistance obtaining replacements.
Tips for Managing Diabetes Supply Replacements
Keeping track of diabetes supply replacement schedules can feel overwhelming at times, especially if you use multiple devices or medications every day. However, developing a consistent routine for replacing and reordering diabetes supplies can help improve blood glucose management and reduce the risk of running out of essential items. Some tips for doing so include:
- Set reminders for supply changes: Use your phone, calendar, or a diabetes app to remember when to replace CGM sensors, infusion sets, lancets, and other supplies.
- Reorder supplies early: Try to refill supplies before you completely run out in case of shipping or insurance delays.
- Keep extra supplies on hand: Backup diabetes supplies can be helpful during travel, emergencies, or device problems.
- Check expiration dates regularly: Throw away expired supplies and keep track of items that are close to expiring.
- Store supplies properly: Keep diabetes supplies away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight whenever possible.
- Rotate insertion and injection sites: Changing sites regularly can help reduce irritation and improve comfort.
- Watch for device problems: Error messages, inaccurate readings, or loose adhesives may mean it is time to replace a supply sooner.
- Follow manufacturer instructions: Different diabetes supplies have different replacement schedules, so always check product guidelines.
- Talk to your healthcare provider if needed: Your doctor or diabetes care team can help if supplies are not working properly or causing irritation.
- Consider automatic deliveries: Some diabetes supply companies offer refill reminders and scheduled deliveries to help you stay stocked on supplies.
Staying Consistent With Diabetes Supply Replacement
Replacing diabetes supplies on schedule can help support more accurate blood glucose monitoring and safer long-term diabetes management. While replacement timelines vary depending on the product and manufacturer recommendations, staying proactive with supply changes can help reduce the risk of device problems and other complications. Byram Healthcare offers high-quality diabetes products and convenient home delivery options to help simplify care and ensure you have what you need to manage blood sugar.
