QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strip Compatibility, Expiry & Storage Guide
Dr Pramod kumar
QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strips are system-specific diagnostic strips designed for use with the compatible ACON QuikCheck / QuikCheck Ultra Cholesterol Monitoring System.
Although many cholesterol and lipid test strips can look similar, they are not interchangeable.
Correct compatibility is only part of the process. Cholesterol test strips are also sensitive diagnostic consumables, so storage temperature, humidity, expiry, packaging and code-chip matching can all affect reliable testing.
This guide explains:
- Which strips work with the QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitor
- Which strips should not be used
- How the QuikCheck code-chip system works
- Recommended strip storage temperature
- Unopened strip shelf life
- Opened-canister expiry
- Foil-pouch handling
- Common storage mistakes to avoid
QuikCheck Cholesterol Strip Compatibility at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Compatible Meter | ACON QuikCheck / QuikCheck Ultra Cholesterol Monitoring System |
| Measured Parameter | Total Cholesterol – TC |
| Compatible with Glucose Meters? | ❌ No |
| Compatible with Accurex Lipid Meter? | ❌ No |
| Compatible with CardioChek? | ❌ No |
| Calibration / Coding | Use the code chip supplied with the corresponding strip box |
| Strip Storage Temperature | 2°C–30°C |
| Storage Humidity | 20–90% RH |
| Unopened Shelf Life | Up to approximately 2 years, subject to printed expiry |
| Opened Canister | Use within approximately 3 months after first opening or before printed expiry, whichever occurs first |
| Individual Foil Pouch | Keep sealed until use and use the strip immediately after opening the pouch |
| Refrigeration | Not recommended |
| Freezing | ❌ Do not freeze |
Which Test Strips Work with the QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitor?
The compatible replacement strips are:
ACON QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strips
These strips are designed specifically for the QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitoring System and measure:
Total Cholesterol – TC
The current Microsidd replacement configuration contains:
25 QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strips
View QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strips – 25 Pack
Which Meter Uses QuikCheck Cholesterol Strips?
The strips covered in this guide are intended for:
ACON QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitoring Device
View QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitoring Device
Before ordering replacement strips, check the exact product name printed on your meter.
Are QuikCheck Cholesterol Strips Universal?
No.
Cholesterol test strips are not universal consumables.
Even if another strip:
- Looks similar
- Has a similar shape
- Measures cholesterol
- Fits partially into the meter
- Comes from another ACON-related product family
that does not mean it is compatible.
The strip chemistry, electrical response, coding, calibration and measurement algorithm must match the specific meter system.
Can Accurex Lipid Profile Strips Be Used in QuikCheck?
No.
Accurex lipid test strips are designed for the Accurex Blood Lipid Analysis System and should not be used with QuikCheck.
Accurex includes several parameter-specific strip systems, such as:
- LPS-101 Lipid Panel Strip
- TCS-101 Total Cholesterol Strip
- TGS-101 Triglycerides Strip
- HLS-101 HDL Strip
None of these should be substituted for the compatible QuikCheck cholesterol strip.
For a full comparison:
Read: Total Cholesterol Meter vs Lipid Profile Meter – QuikCheck vs Accurex
Can QuikCheck Strips Be Used in a Glucometer?
No.
Blood glucose meters and cholesterol meters use different analytical systems.
Never use QuikCheck cholesterol strips in:
- Blood glucose meters
- Ketone meters
- Hemoglobin meters
- Multi-parameter lipid meters
- Other cholesterol meters unless specifically approved as compatible
The QuikCheck Code Chip Is Part of Strip Compatibility
The QuikCheck Ultra platform uses a code-chip calibration system.
Each new box of compatible test strips is supplied with the appropriate code information.
When beginning a new strip box:
- Locate the code chip supplied with that strip box.
- Check the code number on the chip.
- Check the code number printed on the strip canister or foil pouch.
- Insert the matching code chip into the meter while the meter is off.
- Insert a test strip.
- Verify that the code displayed by the meter matches the strip-pack code.
The codes should match before patient testing.
Do Not Mix Code Chips Between Strip Lots
Do not assume an old code chip can be used with a newly purchased strip box.
When starting a new lot:
- Use the code chip supplied with that lot.
- Keep the chip with its corresponding strip pack.
- Do not mix chips between different strip lots.
- Verify the displayed code before testing.
A coding mismatch may affect the reliability of results.
What Happens If the Code Chip Is Missing?
Manufacturer instructions for the Ultra Cholesterol platform indicate that the meter may display:
--- CODE
when a test strip is inserted without the required code chip correctly installed.
If this occurs:
- Remove the strip if instructed.
- Locate the code chip supplied with the strip box.
- Verify that the code number matches the strip packaging.
- Insert the correct chip.
- Repeat testing with a fresh strip according to the manufacturer's instructions.
QuikCheck Cholesterol Strip Storage Temperature
The manufacturer specifies a storage temperature of:
2°C to 30°C
for QuikCheck / Ultra Cholesterol test strips.
The strips should be stored in a:
- Cool location
- Dry location
- Clean environment
- Location protected from direct sunlight
Recommended Humidity for QuikCheck Test Strips
The manufacturer's documentation specifies approximately:
20% to 90% relative humidity
for strip storage.
Avoid prolonged storage in very humid environments.
Examples of poor storage locations include:
- Bathrooms
- Wash areas
- Near laboratory sinks
- Damp cupboards
- Areas exposed to steam
- Locations where condensation regularly forms
Can QuikCheck Cholesterol Strips Be Refrigerated?
The manufacturer's handling instructions state that the strips should not be refrigerated.
The recommended storage range is 2°C–30°C, but the normal intended approach is cool, dry room-temperature storage within the permitted range.
Avoid unnecessary movement between cold storage and warm humid environments because this can create condensation.
Can QuikCheck Strips Be Frozen?
No.
Do not freeze QuikCheck cholesterol strips.
Store them within the manufacturer's specified 2°C–30°C range.
Keep QuikCheck Strips Away from Heat and Direct Sunlight
Do not routinely store cholesterol strips:
- On a sunny windowsill
- Inside a parked vehicle
- On a vehicle dashboard
- Near heaters
- Near hot laboratory equipment
- In storage areas that regularly exceed 30°C
High temperatures can expose the strip reagents to conditions outside the validated storage range.
Do Not Store QuikCheck Strips Near Bleach
The manufacturer's instructions specifically advise keeping the meter, strips and control materials away from:
- Bleach
- Cleaners containing bleach
Diagnostic strips should be kept in a clean storage area away from chemicals and cleaning agents.
What Is the Shelf Life of Unopened QuikCheck Cholesterol Strips?
The manufacturer specifies an unopened shelf life of up to approximately:
2 years
for properly stored unopened strip packaging.
The printed expiry date on the actual pack remains the controlling expiry date.
Do not use strips beyond the manufacturer's printed expiry.
How Long Do QuikCheck Strips Last After Opening?
This depends on how the strips are packaged.
Canister-Packed QuikCheck Strips
If the strips are supplied in a protective canister, the manufacturer specifies:
Use within approximately 3 months after the canister is first opened.
When opening a new canister:
- Write the opening date on the canister.
- Calculate the three-month opened-expiry date.
- Write that date on the label.
- Discard remaining strips after the opened-use period.
If the manufacturer's printed expiry occurs before the three-month date, the printed expiry takes priority.
Example: Calculating the Opened-Canister Expiry
If a new strip canister is opened on:
15 October 2026
the approximate three-month opened-use date would be:
15 January 2027
However, if the printed product expiry occurs sooner, do not use the strips beyond the printed expiry date.
What If the QuikCheck Strips Are Individually Pouched?
ACON documentation also supports individually pouched QuikCheck / Ultra Cholesterol strips.
For individually pouched strips:
- Keep each foil pouch sealed until immediately before use.
- Check the printed expiry before opening.
- Tear the pouch carefully.
- Avoid bending or damaging the strip.
- Use the strip immediately after removing it from the pouch.
The three-month opened-canister rule does not apply in the same way to individually sealed strips because the remaining strips stay unopened in their own protective pouches.
Canister vs Foil-Pouch Storage
| Feature | Canister Pack | Individual Foil Pouch |
|---|---|---|
| Before Opening | Keep canister sealed | Keep each pouch sealed |
| After Opening | Close cap immediately after removing one strip | Use strip immediately |
| Opened Shelf Life | Approximately 3 months | Open only immediately before individual use |
| Main Protection | Original tightly closed canister | Individual sealed foil pouch |
Always check the packaging format supplied with your actual QuikCheck strip pack.
Keep Canister-Packed Strips in the Original Container
Do not transfer QuikCheck strips from their original canister into:
- Another strip bottle
- A plastic bag
- A tablet container
- An unlabelled container
- A canister from another strip lot
The manufacturer's instructions specify that canister-packed strips should remain in their original protective container.
Close the Canister Immediately After Removing a Strip
For canister-packed strips:
- Prepare the meter and testing area first.
- Open the canister.
- Remove one strip.
- Immediately close the cap tightly.
- Use the removed strip promptly.
Do not leave the canister open while preparing the patient or lancing device.
Use the Strip Immediately After Removing It
Whether supplied in a canister or individual foil pouch, the manufacturer advises using the test strip promptly after it is removed from its protective packaging.
This reduces unnecessary exposure to:
- Humidity
- Airborne moisture
- Dust
- Contamination
- Environmental chemicals
Inspect Every Strip Before Testing
Do not use a QuikCheck strip if it is:
- Torn
- Bent
- Crushed
- Wet
- Contaminated
- Visibly damaged
- Past its expiry date
Use a fresh compatible strip instead.
Can QuikCheck Cholesterol Strips Be Reused?
No.
QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strips are single-use diagnostic consumables.
Never:
- Wash and reuse a strip
- Apply a second person's blood to the same strip
- Attempt to repeat a failed test using the same strip
- Return a used strip to its container
Use one fresh strip for every new test.
Do Not Add More Blood to an Already Running Test
If the sample does not fill the required strip area correctly and the test fails, follow the manufacturer's instructions and repeat the procedure using a new test strip.
Do not attempt to rescue a failed or insufficient test by repeatedly adding blood to the same strip after the measurement process has already started.
Strip Storage vs Meter Operating Temperature
It is important not to confuse strip storage conditions with meter operating conditions.
| Condition | Temperature |
|---|---|
| QuikCheck Strip Storage | 2°C–30°C |
| Meter Operating Conditions | 15°C–40°C |
| Meter Storage | 2°C–45°C |
A location that is acceptable for storing the meter may therefore still be unsuitable for storing the test strips.
QuikCheck Strip Storage During Hot Indian Weather
During warm seasons in India, room temperatures can sometimes exceed the manufacturer's upper strip-storage limit of 30°C.
Avoid keeping strips:
- In vehicles
- Near windows receiving afternoon sunlight
- Inside very hot storerooms
- Near roofs or walls that become excessively hot
- Beside electrical equipment generating heat
Professional users holding larger quantities should consider monitoring the actual storage environment.
What If QuikCheck Strips Were Exposed to Excessive Heat?
If the strips have been stored outside the manufacturer's recommended 2°C–30°C range for a meaningful period, do not assume that simply returning them to room temperature restores their original performance.
When strip integrity is uncertain:
- Do not rely solely on visual appearance.
- Review the storage history.
- Use appropriate quality-control procedures where applicable.
- Consider using correctly stored replacement strips.
What If the Strip Canister Was Left Open?
An accidentally open canister may expose strips to environmental humidity and contamination.
The significance depends on:
- How long the canister remained open
- Ambient humidity
- Temperature
- Whether water or chemicals were nearby
For professional testing environments, questionable strip integrity should be handled according to the facility's quality-control procedure.
Can QuikCheck Strips Be Stored in a Car?
A parked vehicle is not an appropriate routine storage location.
Vehicle temperatures can rise above the manufacturer's 30°C maximum strip-storage temperature even when outdoor temperatures appear moderate.
When transporting strips:
- Protect them from direct sunlight.
- Keep them dry.
- Keep them in their original packaging.
- Avoid prolonged storage inside the vehicle.
How to Manage Multiple QuikCheck Strip Boxes
Clinics, pharmacies and screening programmes may have several boxes in stock at the same time.
Use a simple FEFO — First Expiry, First Out approach.
This means:
Use the correctly stored strip box with the earliest valid expiry first.
Also keep each:
- Strip lot
- Code chip
- Expiry information
- Opened-canister date
clearly associated with the correct pack.
Professional Strip Inventory Checklist
For clinics and screening programmes, record:
- Product name
- Strip lot number
- Code number
- Printed expiry date
- Date received
- Date canister opened, where applicable
- Three-month opened expiry, where applicable
- Storage location
- Quality-control results where required
Quick QuikCheck Storage Checklist
- ✓ Use only genuine compatible QuikCheck cholesterol strips
- ✓ Match the code chip to the current strip lot
- ✓ Store strips at 2°C–30°C
- ✓ Maintain approximately 20–90% RH
- ✓ Keep strips away from direct sunlight
- ✓ Do not refrigerate
- ✓ Do not freeze
- ✓ Keep strips away from bleach and bleach-containing cleaners
- ✓ Keep canister-packed strips in their original canister
- ✓ Close the canister immediately
- ✓ Use opened canisters within approximately 3 months
- ✓ Use foil-pouch strips immediately after opening
- ✓ Check printed expiry before every test
- ✓ Never use damaged strips
- ✓ Never reuse a test strip
QuikCheck Strip Storage: Do & Don't
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| Store at 2°C–30°C | Expose strips to excessive heat |
| Keep packaging dry | Store strips in a humid bathroom |
| Keep canister tightly closed | Leave the strip canister open |
| Use strips from original packaging | Transfer strips to another container |
| Match the correct code chip | Mix code chips between strip lots |
| Write opened date on canister | Ignore the 3-month opened-use period |
| Use one fresh strip per test | Reuse strips |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which strips work with the QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitor?
Use genuine ACON QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strips designed for the compatible QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitoring System.
Are QuikCheck cholesterol strips universal?
No. They are system-specific and should not be used in other cholesterol or lipid meters.
Can Accurex cholesterol strips be used with QuikCheck?
No. Accurex and QuikCheck are different analytical systems and their strips are not interchangeable.
Can QuikCheck strips be used with a blood glucose meter?
No. Cholesterol and glucose meters require different test-strip systems.
What do QuikCheck strips measure?
They measure Total Cholesterol.
Do QuikCheck strips measure HDL?
No. They do not provide an HDL result.
Do QuikCheck strips measure LDL?
No. The QuikCheck Total Cholesterol system does not provide LDL.
Do QuikCheck strips measure triglycerides?
No. They are intended for Total Cholesterol testing only.
What temperature should QuikCheck strips be stored at?
The manufacturer specifies approximately 2°C–30°C.
What humidity is recommended?
The manufacturer specifies approximately 20–90% relative humidity.
What is the unopened shelf life?
Properly stored unopened QuikCheck / Ultra cholesterol strips have a manufacturer-specified shelf life of up to approximately 2 years, subject to the actual printed expiry date.
How long can canister-packed strips be used after opening?
Approximately 3 months after the canister is first opened, or until the printed expiry date if that occurs sooner.
Should I write the opened date on the canister?
Yes. The manufacturer recommends recording the opened-expiry date on the canister label.
What about individually pouched strips?
Keep each pouch sealed until use and use the strip immediately after opening the pouch.
Can QuikCheck strips be refrigerated?
No. Manufacturer instructions advise against refrigeration.
Can they be frozen?
No. Do not freeze the strips.
Can I store QuikCheck strips in my car?
Routine vehicle storage is not recommended because temperatures may exceed the 30°C upper strip-storage limit.
Can I transfer QuikCheck strips into another bottle?
No. Canister-packed strips should remain in their original protective canister.
Do I need to change the code chip when starting a new strip box?
Yes. Use the code chip supplied with the current strip box and verify that its code matches the strip packaging and meter display.
What does --- CODE mean on the meter?
It can indicate that the required code chip is missing or not correctly recognised. Check the code chip supplied with the strip box and follow the meter instructions.
Can QuikCheck strips be reused?
No. Each test strip is intended for single use only.
Related QuikCheck Guides
ACON QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitor & Test Strips Complete Guide
Learn how the QuikCheck system works, what it measures, sample requirements, result time, measurement range and kit contents.
Read the QuikCheck Complete Guide
QuikCheck vs Accurex Cholesterol Meter Comparison
Understand the difference between a Total Cholesterol meter and a multi-parameter Lipid Profile Meter.
Read QuikCheck vs Accurex Complete Comparison
Shop QuikCheck Cholesterol Products
QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitoring Device
Portable digital Total Cholesterol monitoring system for compatible QuikCheck test strips.
View QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitor
QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strips – 25 Pack
Genuine compatible replacement strips for existing QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitor users.
View QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strips
Need a Full Lipid Profile Instead?
QuikCheck measures Total Cholesterol only.
If your workflow requires:
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL
- Triglycerides
- Calculated LDL
- Calculated TC/HDL ratio
you may need a broader lipid-profile system.
View Accurex Lipid Profile Meter
Or compare the two systems first:
QuikCheck vs Accurex Complete Comparison
Explore the Microsidd Knowledge Hub
Read more guides covering diagnostic meters, compatible test strips, laboratory testing and point-of-care systems:
Visit the Microsidd Knowledge Hub
Important Medical & Purchasing Note
QuikCheck Cholesterol Test Strips are intended for use only with their compatible QuikCheck Cholesterol Monitoring System.
Always verify:
- The exact meter model
- Correct strip type
- Strip code and code chip
- Printed expiry date
- Opened-canister date where applicable
- Storage temperature
- Packaging condition
before performing a test.
Unexpected or clinically important cholesterol results should be interpreted with appropriate healthcare guidance and confirmed using an appropriate laboratory method when required.
This diagnostic product is non-returnable and non-exchangeable.
Please verify the meter model, strip compatibility, pack size and product specifications before placing your order.
Genuine cases involving an incorrect product received will be handled separately according to Microsidd.com's applicable policies and applicable law.
An original, continuous, unedited and uncut unboxing video is compulsory for making a claim regarding an incorrect product received.