On Call GK Dual Glucose & Ketone Monitor Complete Guide: Strips, Compatibility & How It Works
Dr Pramod kumar
The On Call GK Dual Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System from ACON is a dual-function meter designed to measure both blood glucose and blood β-ketones using the appropriate compatible test strip for each type of test.
Unlike a glucose-only meter, GK Dual provides two different testing functions through one device:
- Blood glucose testing with compatible On Call glucose strips
- Blood β-ketone testing with On Call Blood Ketone Test Strips
This guide explains the On Call GK Dual meter, compatible strips, glucose vs ketone testing, sample requirements, result times, coding, memory, meal markers, reminders and other important system features.
To buy the meter: Shop On Call GK Dual Glucose & Ketone Monitor →
For the wider On Call family, read: On Call Glucometers & Test Strips Complete Guide →
What Is the On Call GK Dual?
The On Call GK Dual is a portable blood monitoring system that combines blood glucose and blood β-ketone testing in a single meter.
The important point is that the meter performs these tests using different compatible test strips.
The meter does not use one universal strip for both measurements.
For glucose testing, ACON specifies compatible On Call Chosen Blood Glucose Test Strips or On Call Advanced Blood Glucose Test Strips.
For ketone testing, use: On Call Blood Ketone Test Strips.
For complete strip matching, read:
On Call GK Dual Strip Compatibility Guide →
On Call GK Dual Specifications
| Feature | Glucose Testing | β-Ketone Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement | Blood glucose | Blood β-ketone |
| Compatible strips | On Call Chosen or On Call Advanced glucose strips | On Call Blood Ketone Test Strips |
| Approx. sample size | 0.8 µL | 1.2 µL |
| Approx. result time | 5 seconds | 10 seconds |
| Measurement range | 10–600 mg/dL | 0–8.0 mmol/L |
| Result calibration | Plasma-equivalent | Plasma/serum-equivalent system as specified by manufacturer |
The system's overall operating temperature is approximately 5–45°C with an operating relative humidity range of approximately 10–90%.
Always follow the instructions supplied with your exact meter and test-strip pack because strip-specific requirements can differ.
Two Tests in One Meter
The main purpose of GK Dual is to allow two different measurements using one meter.
Blood Glucose
Blood glucose testing measures glucose concentration using a compatible On Call Chosen or On Call Advanced glucose test strip.
The manufacturer's published GK Dual specification gives:
- approximately 0.8 µL blood sample,
- approximately 5-second result time, and
- approximately 10–600 mg/dL measurement range.
Blood β-Ketones
Ketone testing uses a separate On Call Blood Ketone Test Strip.
The standard published specification gives:
- approximately 1.2 µL blood sample,
- approximately 10-second result time, and
- approximately 0–8.0 mmol/L measurement range.
Which Glucose Strips Work with On Call GK Dual?
ACON's current GK Dual product information identifies:
- On Call Chosen Blood Glucose Test Strips
- On Call Advanced Blood Glucose Test Strips
for blood glucose testing with GK Dual.
Do not select another On Call strip merely because it carries the same brand name.
In particular, do not substitute On Call Plus or On Call Extra strips unless the manufacturer documentation for your exact GK Dual system specifically identifies them as compatible.
Which Ketone Strips Work with On Call GK Dual?
For blood β-ketone testing, use:
On Call Blood Ketone Test Strips.
Microsidd currently supplies compatible ketone strips in a 25-strip individually foil-wrapped pack.
Shop On Call Blood Ketone Test Strips 25 →
Glucose Strips and Ketone Strips Are Not the Same
| Feature | Compatible Glucose Strip | On Call Ketone Strip |
|---|---|---|
| Measures | Blood glucose | Blood β-ketone |
| GK Dual compatibility | Chosen / Advanced | On Call Blood Ketone |
| Approx. sample | 0.8 µL | 1.2 µL |
| Approx. test time | 5 seconds | 10 seconds |
| Measures ketones? | No | Yes |
| Measures glucose? | Yes | No |
A dual-function meter does not mean that the test strips themselves are dual-function.
Does On Call GK Dual Require Coding?
Yes. The GK Dual system uses code-chip based calibration.
When changing to a new box of test strips, follow the coding procedure supplied with the meter and strip pack.
The manufacturer's manual identifies glucose code families for the compatible strips:
- On Call Advanced glucose strip codes begin with A.
- On Call Chosen glucose strip codes begin with H.
Ketone strips also use their corresponding code information.
Always confirm that the displayed code matches the code associated with the strip pack before testing.
How Does the Meter Know Whether You Are Testing Glucose or Ketones?
The GK Dual system recognises the appropriate testing mode through the compatible strip and associated calibration information.
For ketone testing, the display identifies the test as KET.
Do not attempt to treat a glucose strip as a ketone strip or vice versa. Each strip contains a reagent system intended for its specific measurement.
On Call GK Dual Memory
The meter can store up to approximately 450 blood glucose and β-ketone records, including result type, date and time.
This allows both glucose and ketone testing history to be maintained in the same meter.
On Call GK Dual Result Averages
The meter supports glucose-result averaging over:
- 7 days,
- 14 days,
- 30 days,
- 60 days, and
- 90 days.
Historical averages can help organise testing records but should not be used by themselves to make unsupervised treatment or medication changes.
Meal Markers
GK Dual includes before-meal and after-meal markers for organising glucose measurements around meals.
Meal markers help categorise stored glucose readings but do not determine whether a particular result is medically appropriate for an individual.
Five Customisable Test Reminders
The meter provides up to five test reminders.
These reminders can help users remember planned testing times according to their healthcare-management routine.
Testing frequency itself should be determined according to appropriate medical guidance.
Hypo, Hyper and Ketone Indicators
The GK Dual includes configurable glucose-related warning features, including hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia indicators.
The system can also display a ketone reminder associated with a sufficiently high glucose result when that feature is enabled.
A warning or reminder on the meter should not be confused with an independent medical diagnosis.
Built-In Test Strip Ejector
GK Dual includes a test-strip ejector to help release the used strip after testing.
Used glucose and ketone strips have been exposed to blood and should be handled and disposed of according to appropriate hygiene and local waste practices.
How to Perform a Blood Glucose Test with GK Dual
The precise procedure depends on the compatible glucose strip being used. In general:
- Wash and thoroughly dry your hands.
- Confirm you have a compatible Chosen or Advanced glucose strip.
- Confirm the correct corresponding code information.
- Insert a fresh glucose strip into the meter.
- Wait for the meter to indicate that it is ready for the sample.
- Obtain an adequate fresh capillary blood drop.
- Apply blood to the strip sample tip as instructed.
- Allow the meter to complete the test.
- Review the glucose result.
- Dispose of the used strip and lancet appropriately.
Always follow the insert supplied with the exact glucose strip.
How to Perform a Blood Ketone Test with GK Dual
For ketone testing:
- Confirm that you have an On Call Blood Ketone Test Strip.
- Confirm the correct ketone code information is stored/displayed.
- Insert a fresh ketone strip contact-bars first as instructed.
- Wait for the meter to enter ketone test mode.
- Obtain an adequate blood sample.
- Apply the blood to the sample tip.
- Allow the strip to fill correctly.
- Wait approximately 10 seconds for the result.
- Dispose of the used strip safely.
The manufacturer documentation also describes a short second-sample opportunity if an adequate sample was not initially accepted and the countdown has not started. Follow the exact strip instructions rather than repeatedly adding blood.
Can GK Dual Test Urine Ketones?
No.
GK Dual is designed for blood β-ketone testing with compatible On Call Blood Ketone Test Strips.
Urine ketone strips are a different type of test and are not inserted into the GK Dual meter.
Blood Ketone Strips vs Urine Ketone Strips
| Feature | GK Dual Blood Ketone Test | Urine Ketone Strip |
|---|---|---|
| Sample | Blood | Urine |
| Used with GK Dual | Yes | No |
| Result | Electronic meter result | Usually visual colour comparison |
| Ketone measured | Blood β-ketone | Typically urine acetoacetate |
When Is Blood Ketone Monitoring Used?
Blood ketone monitoring may form part of an individual's diabetes-management or sick-day plan when recommended by a healthcare professional.
The meter supplies a quantitative blood ketone measurement. It does not independently diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
The circumstances in which ketones should be checked and the action to take after a result depend on the individual's healthcare plan.
On Call GK Dual vs On Call Plus & On Call Extra
The systems serve different purposes.
| System | Main Testing Capability |
|---|---|
| On Call Plus | Blood glucose |
| On Call Extra | Blood glucose |
| On Call GK Dual | Blood glucose + blood β-ketone |
The systems also use different specified test-strip families. Always match strips to the exact meter rather than buying by brand name alone.
Shop On Call GK Dual at Microsidd
On Call GK Dual Glucose & Ketone Monitor
Shop On Call GK Dual Monitor →
On Call Blood Ketone Test Strips 25
Microsidd's current ketone-strip product contains 25 individually foil-wrapped strips.
Shop On Call Blood Ketone Test Strips →
Browse the wider On Call range:
On Call Glucometers & Test Strips Collection →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does On Call GK Dual test?
GK Dual can measure both blood glucose and blood β-ketones when the appropriate compatible strip is used.
Which glucose strips work with GK Dual?
ACON currently specifies On Call Chosen and On Call Advanced Blood Glucose Test Strips.
Which ketone strips work with GK Dual?
Use On Call Blood Ketone Test Strips.
Can On Call Plus strips be used with GK Dual?
Do not substitute Plus strips. ACON's current GK Dual compatibility information specifies On Call Chosen or On Call Advanced strips for glucose testing.
Can On Call Extra strips be used with GK Dual?
Do not substitute Extra strips. Use one of the glucose strip families specifically identified for GK Dual.
How much blood is needed for glucose testing?
The published GK Dual specification gives an approximately 0.8 µL glucose sample.
How much blood is needed for ketone testing?
The published specification gives approximately 1.2 µL for β-ketone testing.
How long does a glucose test take?
Approximately 5 seconds after an adequate sample is accepted.
How long does a ketone test take?
Approximately 10 seconds.
Does GK Dual require coding?
Yes. Follow the code-chip procedure supplied with the applicable glucose or ketone strip pack.
How many results can GK Dual store?
The meter stores up to approximately 450 blood glucose and β-ketone records with result type, date and time.
Can GK Dual diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis?
No. The meter provides glucose and blood ketone measurements. It does not by itself diagnose or exclude DKA.
Related On Call Guides
- On Call GK Dual Strip Compatibility Guide
- On Call Glucometers & Test Strips Complete Guide
- On Call Plus Glucometer & Test Strips Complete Guide
- On Call Extra Glucometer & Test Strips Complete Guide
- On Call Plus vs On Call Extra Glucometer Comparison
Medical information notice: This guide provides general product, compatibility and operating information for the On Call GK Dual Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System. It does not diagnose diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis or another medical condition and does not replace the manufacturer instructions or professional medical advice.
Your healthcare professional should determine when you should test glucose or ketones, your target ranges and what action to take after a result.
If you have concerning glucose or ketone readings together with symptoms such as persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, unusual drowsiness, confusion or significant illness, follow your established sick-day/emergency plan and obtain appropriate medical care. Do not delay medical assessment while troubleshooting the meter.