Abbott blood ketone meters: Precision Xtra and FreeStyle Optium
Last checked September 28, 2026
This site gives general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or diabetes team before changing how you monitor or treat any condition.
| Type | Blood ketone meter |
|---|---|
| Maker | Abbott |
| Measures | Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-ketone) from a finger-prick; the same meters also test glucose |
| Wear or use | One strip per test |
| Readings | Whenever you test (about 10 seconds on Precision Xtra) |
| App | None needed |
| US status | In vitro diagnostic strips for the Precision Xtra meter |
| UK status | FreeStyle Optium β-ketone strips work with FreeStyle Optium, Optium Neo and FreeStyle Libre readers; the NHS says ketone testing kits are available free on the NHS or from pharmacies |
| EU status | Sold as FreeStyle Optium / Precision in many countries |
| Price | US: Precision Xtra ketone strips $49.99 per 10. UK: FreeStyle Optium β-ketone strips £27.49 per 10 (Diabetes UK Shop) |
| Running cost | $152.05 a month (US strip price, one ketone test a day (meter not included); see the cost calculator) |
| Availability | On sale now; in the UK often prescribed |
| Where to buy | Abbott Store (US strips), Diabetes UK Shop (UK strips) |
What they are
Abbott makes the finger-prick meters that many diabetes teams use for blood ketone testing. The strips measure blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-ketone).
- US: Precision Xtra. Precision Xtra blood ketone strips need 1.5 µL of blood and give a result in 10 seconds; $49.99 for 10 on the Abbott Store (Abbott Store).
- UK: FreeStyle Optium. FreeStyle Optium β-ketone strips work with the FreeStyle Optium and Optium Neo meters and the FreeStyle Libre reader; £27.49 for 10 on the Diabetes UK Shop (Diabetes UK Shop).
The NHS says ketone testing kits are available free on the NHS or from pharmacies (NHS). The American Diabetes Association calls a blood ketone meter the preferred way to check ketones (ADA).
For people with type 1 diabetes, and others at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), ketone levels are a medical matter. Follow the plan from your diabetes team and the guidance from the NHS or the American Diabetes Association. No consumer ketone sensor replaces the testing your care team asks for.
Cost
At US retail prices, one ketone strip a day comes to $152.05 a month, which is why people who test often compare strip prices closely. At the UK price above it is £83.62 a month. Many people with diabetes get strips on prescription instead.
Limitations
- One reading per finger-prick; nothing between tests.
- Precision falls at very high levels (above about 5 mmol/L) (Dhatariya, 2017).